History

The first Friends Group in Victoria was Friends of Organ Pipes, formed in 1972 by Jack Lyale (the park’s first Caretaker/Ranger) and Don Marsh (a volunteer who had previously formed the Maribyrnong Valley Committee) to help with weed control and revegetation of this previously private land.

The success of their efforts in transforming Organ Pipes Park was noted and other Friends Groups were established. On becoming Director of National Parks in 1979, Don Saunders was instrumental in the establishment of many more. Geoff Durham was the major force within the VNPA in the development of the Friends Groups, both while he was President and subsequently as VNPA Coordinator of Activities. The chance to help weed, revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate areas of bush had popular appeal and the number of Friends Groups grew rapidly, to thirty in 1987 and to thirty-nine in 1990. One interesting group formed in the late 1980s was not place-based but worked to support the Flora and Fauna Guarantee legislation – the Friends of Flora and Fauna.

In 1983 several of the Friends Groups came together for the first of what became biennial conferences to discuss and coordinate their activities. Subsequently it was recognised that there would be great benefits in having a permanent umbrella body to coordinate and educate members of the groups, and to liaise with the National Parks Service. A Friends Committee of the VNPA was formed in 1986 with Geoff Durham as Convenor.

However, given the specific and extensive work required, the VNPA decided it would support turning the Committee into an independent organisation. In 2007 a constitution was approved establishing the Victorian Environmental Friends Network.