Geoff Mitchelmore on his passion for the environment

Altona North’s Geoff Mitchelmore is a former industrial chemist who has devoted his life to greening Kororoit Creek.

He speaks with Goya Dmytryshchak.

 

What’s your connection to Hobsons Bay?

I came to the city of Altona from Morwell in the Latrobe Valley in 1967 with my wife and young family.

I’ve been a resident in Altona North for 49 years.

I was employed in the gas industry for 33 years, attaining the position of chief chemist, gas and fuel, with the Fuel Corporation of Victoria.

I spent 13 years as president of Altona North High School.

I’ve been involved in amateur theatre in Altona and Altona North for nearly 25 years and a community activist involved mainly in improving the Altona North area, including traffic and health and safety issues.

I’ve been president of Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek for 16 years and developed a partnership with Toyota to create the $1.8million shared-trail connection to the western metropolitan trail network.

 

What do you like about Altona North?

Its closeness to all facilities, including the ease of access to the City of Melbourne attractions.

 

What would you change?

I would like to see the Altona North industrial estate isolated from residential Altona North, thus removing the dangerous heavy truck traffic that impacts on the local community.

I would like the people who rubbish our city caught and severely dealt with.

 

What’s your favourite local cafe and/or eatery?

The Seaside Flatbread Cafe in Borrack Square is a favourite haunt for great coffee and fantastic cheese and spinach pie.

 

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about developing the Kororoit Creek environmental corridor as a place for the community to visit and enjoy.

National Tree Day on July 31 at the Urban Forest, Blackshaws Road, would be a great opportunity for the local community to visit and see the developments that have been taking place over the past 15 years through the efforts of a dedicated team of local residents involved with Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek.

 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I don’t have a green thumb and I have planted less than a hundred of the 50,000 trees that are now flourishing along the Kororoit Creek corridor in Altona North thanks to the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek.

 

Community members are invited to celebrate National Tree Day with Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek from 10am-1pm on Sunday, July 31.

Meet at the Urban Forest in Blackshaws Road (opposite Crofts Reserve, Melway 40 H12), Altona North.