Geoffrey Mitchelmore OAM, president and founder of the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek (FLKC), has announced his retirement after more than two decades of dedicated service to environmental advocacy in Australia. The 84-year-old local lobbyist made this decision following a remarkable career that began in 2000, driven by a commitment to protect the natural resources of his community.
Reflecting on his retirement, Mitchelmore remarked, “I’m not sure yet” about how he will adjust to this new chapter in his life. His journey into environmental activism began unexpectedly due to concerns over dangerous truck traffic in Altona North. He recognized that the only way to alleviate the issue was by lobbying for a bridge over the Kororoit Creek.
Mitchelmore played a pivotal role in initiating the $8 million Barnes Bridge project. However, as he became more involved, he realized the dire condition of the Kororoit Creek, which was suffering from high levels of pollution. A turning point came when a government media release referred to the creek as a mere ‘drain.’
“I took exception to [the wording] and told them they needed to change it because it may be a drain to most people but it’s actually a proper waterway,” he explained. This motivated him to collaborate with local residents Craig and Debbie Woods to form an action group, which eventually became the FLKC in 2001.
“We set ourselves two goals. One was to green the Kororoit Creek corridor because there was hardly a tree there and the other one was to try and get a path from Cherry Lake right through to Geelong Road,” Mitchelmore shared. The FLKC has made significant strides toward fulfilling these objectives.
Currently, stages four and five of the Kororoit Creek Trail are on track for completion by the end of the year, following a substantial funding boost of $5 million from the federal government in February. “It’s been a fantastic achievement for the group to get that all done,” he noted proudly.
Mitchelmore’s diverse background includes careers as an industrial chemist, local theatre actor, shipbuilder, and sailor. As he contemplates retirement, he admits uncertainty about how to spend his newfound free time. “It’s been like four careers in my life. And they were all really great. I was just really lucky,” he said.
He humorously added, “Now I’ve got a fifth one to find.” With his legacy firmly established, Mitchelmore leaves behind a vital environmental movement that continues to inspire local residents and advocates for the preservation of the Kororoit Creek.
