History

Save the Dandenongs League History

The League began in 1950 when residents and non-residents of the Ranges were drawn together by the efforts of Miss May Moon, Prof. John Turner and Cr Eric Leane of Ferntree Gully to express their united concern about sub-division and unplanned urban development across the Dandenong Ranges as well as unregulated activities of public and semi-public bodies such as the State Electricity Commission and the Country Roads Board. The League has met regularly since then and been active in engaging the Federal, State and local spheres of government to ensure that policy that affects the Dandenongs furthers the objectives of the League.

Save the Dandenongs league’s 75-year legacy

Save the Dandenong League members gather for the 75th anniversary
The Save the Dandenongs League celebrated its 75th anniversary on Saturday, 11 October, marking more than seven decades of dedicated environmental protection in the Dandenong Ranges. See Ranges Trader Article

Kallista's Centenary Celebrations

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It was great to be involved in Kallista's Centenary Celebrations. SDL had a marquis stall at the Festival which we shared with the National Trust DR branch.
Many festival attendees stopped by to talk to us and find out about League activities and history. We were able to hand out membership information and as a result signed up a number of new members.

60th Birthday Celebrations - October 2010

The 60th Birthday of Save the Dandenongs League Inc. was held in October, 2010, at Karwarra Australian Plant Garden, Kalorama. About 40 people attended on a fairly cold day including two of our Yarra Ranges councillors, Cr Samantha Dunn and Cr Noel Cliff, whose Wards cover most of the Dandenong Ranges.  Betty Marsden, as President, welcomed those in attendance including Shire Councillors and also read a list of Apologies. She indicated that a number of former committee members would give some reminiscences of the League in earlier times.

Recollections on the 60th Birthday of The Save the Dandenongs League

My wife and I live in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges at the gateway to the beautiful Lysterfield Valley, in the home that we created 60 years ago and where we still live.  I first became involved with the save the Dandenongs League when a group of local residents opposed the development of yet another basalt-rock quarry in that valley.  There was already a plethora of quarries in the area – one at Upper Ferntree Gully and another in Lysterfield.  With help from the Save the Dandenongs League we managed to overcome the proposed new quarry, some councillors lost their seats, and Sherbrooke Council became more environmentally friendly.

May Moon MBE

May Moon together with Prof. John Turner called a public meeting in October 1950 that was attended by 200 people. Save the Dandenongs League was formed at that meeting. She was the league's secretary for 27 years.