“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.

This content has been developed in collaboration with Friends of Kalorama Park and Save the Dandenongs League Inc. 

IMAGE:

Miss May Moon, founder and secretary of Save The Dandenongs League 1950-77

(Source: Monbulk Historical Society)