Meet the Locals: Pam Welsford, an inspiring volunteer
Glenys Grant
National Volunteers Week was celebrated at the end of May. All over the country volunteers were acknowledged for their efforts.
This year’s theme ‘Connecting Communities’ highlighted how volunteers can meet different people and become part of a wider interest group, learn new skills, gain confidence and have fun all the while giving back to and strengthening their local community.
One environmental volunteer group that is expanding rapidly and strongly is the KooyongKoot Alliance (KKA). This is an organisation of over 20 Friends groups working in the Gardiners Creek catchment, to enrich and enhance its land and ecosystem while protecting its future.
The growth and success of the organisation is by virtue of their strong committee and its members. One of the stars in the KKA has always been the Secretary, Pam Welsford. She is the inaugural and current Secretary of the KooyongKoot Alliance and the Convenor of the Marketing and Communications and Fundraising Sub-Committees.
Pam has lived in the Gardiners Creek catchment for over 30 years. She has worked in education in secondary schools and as the education officer for Environment teachers across Victoria. She was a science teacher at Strathcona, including the Hawthorn campus on the Yarra River, where she initiated a revegetation program.
Pam is known to be inspirational and tireless in her volunteering efforts and has been recognised for them. One notable achievement is that for 20 years she has been President of Friends of South Surrey Park. The focus has been on revegetating the park, so that the area becomes a significant aspect of the Back Creek biodiversity corridor.
As KKA Secretary, she has, amongst many other things, worked to establish KooyongKoot Alliance as an important charity; create networking opportunities for Friends Groups within the catchment; and raise the importance of having a management plan for Gardiners Creek. Gardiners Creek is the only tributary of the Yarra River without an overall management plan.
KKA has only been formally in existence since 2022, but in that short time, it has helped support the 20 or so Friends and Advisory committees in the catchment. It has also added substantially to the biodiversity of the catchment through numerous initiatives and helping to develop a strategic plan for the Gardiners Creek/KooyongKoot Catchment.
All of these achievements in such a short time are due to the hard work and dedication of volunteers like Pam. Now, Pam and her husband John are starting a new life on the Great Ocean Road which means that she will be leaving the KKA and her role.
Graham Ross, KooyongKoot Catchment Keeper says ‘We will certainly miss Pam’s lively presence and can-do attitude, but nevertheless wish her and John a happy new life by the ocean. It’s a huge loss for us but we are happy she is following her dreams.’
To volunteer for KKA, email Graham Ross at KooyongKootAlliance@gmail.com