In 1950, a retired kindergarten teacher living in Kalorama, Miss May Moon, joined with Professor John Turner, a Professor of Botany at Melbourne University, and Ferntree Gully Shire Councillor, Eric Lean to express concern about sub-division and unplanned urban development across the Dandenong Ranges and the threat posed to the surrounding environment. Concerned about a number of conservation issues, Miss Moon called a public meeting at the Olinda Hall in October 1950, attracting over 200 people:

“People interested in the movement for the preservation of the Dandenongs held a meeting in Olinda last Wednesday and formed a league to be known as ‘Save the Dandenongs League’ … Residents and all other mountain lovers who wish to advance the work of the league are invited to join. Membership fee is 1/.”

Mountain District Free Press.

By 1951, the Save the Dandenongs League was formed. The League’s aims were to: work for the preservation of the historical and natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges as a national asset for all time; encourage the protection of existing wildlife within the Dandenong Ranges and the preservation and rehabilitation of native habitat; work for the orderly development of the Dandenong Ranges in the interests of residents and visitors alike; support the existence of an effective authority to co-ordinate the work of all who share the administration of the Dandenong Ranges area; co-operate with other groups with similar aims.

For 27 years, Miss Moon was honorary secretary of the League. She was a passionate conservationist and fearless in her advocacy work, even standing in front of a bulldozer when necessary! As a member of the Mt Dandenong Horticultural Society, she was an advocate for Australian plants and in 1965, was instrumental in establishing the Karwarra Native Botanic Gardens at Kalorama, which opened in 1971.

The May Moon walking trail in Kalorama is now named in her honour, acknowledging her tireless work with the League and her way of seeing the unique beauty of the region as something to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. She also raised the funds required to purchase land for Kalorama Park[1], home to Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden and Nursery which is devoted to displaying the diversity of Australian plants in a landscaped setting.

• Learn more about the Save the Dandenongs League.
• Contact the Friends of Karwarra Gardens.

As you continue on the ngurrak barring trail, you’re invited to further explore the deep cultural and creative history of the Dandenong Ranges through five key themes: Ways of Seeing, Community, Activism, Resilience and Country.

ngurrak barring acknowledges the Wurundjeri and other Kulin Nations as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of these lands. We pay our respects to all Elders, past, present and emerging, who have been, and always will be, integral to the story of our region. We proudly share custodianship to care for Country together.

[1] http://www.sdl.org.au/node/7; https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254787003?searchTerm=save%20the%20dandenongs; I Johnstone, Montrose Pioneer Stories, Montrose Historical Society, 2011.

“People interested in the movement for the preservation of the Dandenongs held a meeting in Olinda last Wednesday and formed a league to be known as ‘Save the Dandenongs League’ … Residents and all other mountain lovers who wish to advance the work of the league are invited to join. Membership fee is 1/.” 

Mountain District Free Press, 1951 

May Moon MBE was a founding member and staunch advocate for the Save the Dandenongs League. In 1950, May united with Professor John Turner and Cr Eric Leane in their concern about the planned and unregulated development across the Dandenong Ranges and the threat this posed to the surrounding environment. May called a public meeting at the Olinda Hall in October 1950 where over 200 people attended and the Save the Dandenongs League was formed. May was the honorary secretary of the league for the following 27 years. A passionate conservationist, May was fearless in her advocacy work even to the point of standing in front of a bulldozer when necessary. As a member of the Mt Dandenong Horticultural Society, she was also an advocate for Australian plants, and in 1965 was instrumental in establishing the Karwarra Native Botanic Gardens at Kalorama, which opened in 1971. The May Moon walking trail in Kalorama is named in her honour, because the Save the Dandenongs League led by Moon raised money to purchase the land for Kalorama Park.1  

ngurrak barring invites you to explore the deep cultural and creative history of the Dandenong Ranges through five key themes: Ways of Seeing, Community, Activism, Resilience, and Country. 

This sign has been developed in collaboration with Friends of Kalorama Park and Save the Dandenongs League Inc. To learn more and join these groups please click here.