Committee
Rob Law
President
Rob moved to Campbells Creek in 2016 and joined the friends committee in 2021. He has worked on climate and environmental issues for the past 25 years in Victoria and the Northern Territory. He also has a background in sound/music and produced the Campbells Creek Soundtrail and childrens’ audiobook series “The Creek Kids“. He is passionate about helping people connect more to their local waterways and deepen their connection and understanding of nature. With family connections to Campbells Creek dating back to the gold rush he hopes that his work in landcare is paying his family debt for the environmental destruction caused by his ancestors.
“I am proud to be a part of this incredible group of volunteers who have given so much to restoring the beautiful campbells creek over many decades. I love getting to know the creek and its many layers more and more each day and feel grounded by the ongoing work of the group.”
Kya Moore
Secretary
Kya moved to the area in 2009 and joined the group in 2020. She stepped into the secretary role in 2023.
“I walk along the creek most days and the beauty of the environment still flutters the heart. I am inspired by the work the Friends have accomplished and continue to do in supporting the health of the waterways. Very grateful to be living here on Djarra Country”
Terry Bellair
Treasurer
Terry joined the Friends of Campbells Creek in 2015, after relocating to Castlemaine from a property on the Loddon River at Glenlyon. He has been involved with Landcare for over 25 years and served on the board of the North Central CMA. He is a semi-retired environmental science consultant.
“It is a privilege to be a member of the Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group, which has achieved so much over the past 20 years in enhancing the environmental values of the Campbells Creek floodplain, following its devastation by gold dredging and subsequent years of neglect.”
Miles Geldard
Vice-President
Miles moved to Castlemaine in 1994 and more recently to Campbells Creek with his young family when they joined the group. He is a former park ranger and has a passion for hollow dependent wildlife and people interacting with their environment.
“I am inspired by the Friends of Campbells Creek’s many years of environmental work and their commitment to working with the local community and its leaders to achieve what they have.”
Stephen Ellis
Vice-President
Stephen and his family moved to Campbells Creek in 2005. Not long after that they joined the group. He has been Vice President and President several times and is a Life Member. Stephen had no experience in landscape restoration before joining the group. The knowledge gained through the group`s activities, working bees and special events has been a fantastic opportunity to learn about local and indigenous plant species, for this very enthusiastic home gardener.
“The creek reserve runs through the heart of our community, it is ever present. Being able to contribute to the local environment has been a wonderful experience. We have a very active group with an enthusiastic membership.”
Clodagh Norwood
Membership Officer
Clodagh lives in Castlemaine
Ian Higgins
Environmental Officer
Ian moved to Campbells Creek in 1990 and has family connections going back to the 1860s gold-rush era. He initiated restoration work along Castlemaine’s creeks in the mid-1980s and has been working ever since to improve the condition of them and the surrounding riparian land. With over 30 years of experience in revegetation and natural resource management, Ian is well placed to be our environmental officer. In 2017 Ian was awarded the Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award for Victoria in recognition of his work. Ian has been a huge part of the success of the friends group. His knowledge and passion for the environment and his keenness to share his knowledge and engage with others has brought many people together to further the cause.
“The Friends of Campbells Creek is one of the most vibrant landcare groups I’ve ever encountered. Since 2000, the group has achieved a dramatic transformation of what was previously a very degraded urban wasteland. Being involved in this has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life”.
Leila Brook
Committee member
Leila moved to Campbells Creek with her family in 2022 and joined the Friends group not long after. Leila has a background in wildlife behaviour, ecology and management, and loves being able to support our rich, local wildlife by restoring habitat through the work of the Friends of Campbells Creek.
“It’s really rewarding joining in the working bees, and contributing to the immense work the Friends have achieved along Campbells Creek. The creek is such a beautiful part of our local landscape.”
Tori Vincent
Committee member
Tori moved to Campbells Creek in 2021. She has a strong connection with Central Victoria and the waterways of the region. Tori has specialised knowledge in waterways, having undertaken Environmental Science and post-graduate Waterway and Catchment Management studies. She has worked in natural resource management and the waterway industry for over 15 years, which has involved managing riparian restoration projects, working with landholders and community groups, and improving stormwater management practices for greater waterway health outcomes. Additionally she recently finished up on the committee of the River Basin Management Society, helping to share knowledge across organisations and connect people in the catchment/waterway industry.
“Shortly after moving to Campbells Creek, on my very first walk along the waterway I saw a platypus. It felt like a clear sign I had moved to the right place. The reason the creek corridor is alive with life is testament to the dedicated work and advocacy of the Friends of Campbells Creek. I am looking forward to contributing to this important work with the Friends to give back to a creek that gives so much to us.”