The history of the area
The first people - Aboriginal occupation until 1835
The area that the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary now occupies was once inhabited by Aborigines who were aligned to the Kurnaj-berring tribe of the Wurundjeri clan (Bircanin and Short, 1995). No one knows how long the area has been used by humans, but it is probably at least several thousand years. Unfortunately, much of the Aboriginal history of the area was lost very early after the arrival of Europeans. Aboriginal flaked stone artefacts were discovered scattered over some parts of the Sanctuary during a 1996 survey (Freslov, 1997).
Within Bundoora and the surrounding area many large wetlands existed and these were frequently utilised by the local Aborigines. Early Europeans in the area observed the rich nature of these wetlands in particular the abundance of wetland birds such as Brolgas and ducks. Even during prolonged droughts wetlands provided a plentiful supply of edible plants, eels, freshwater mussels, fish, snakes and snaked-necked tortoises. Evidence of the use by Aborigines of the area is observable in the scars on trees and fragments of stone tools.
Early European settlement 1835
Old fence post
When the first Europeans arrived in the Bundoora area (formerly the Parish of Keelbundora) in 1835 they noted its 'parkland' appearance: well spaced trees with an understorey of grasses, herbs and forbs. The area was originally surveyed in 1337 by William Wedge-Drake, an assistant to Robert Hoddle, the chief surveyor of the Port Phillip District. The main reason for the surveying of the area was to allow the sale of land. Up until this time the area was controlled by members of the Port Phillip Association (including John Batman) who grazed their sheep without regards to traditional owners - the Wurundjeri. The land was auctioned in Melbourne in 1838 and the Bundoora area was divided into two sections of approximately 400 hectares. Most of the land was bought by land speculators and the wealthy and within a few months was resold as much smaller farms of 100 to 300 acres. The farms were mostly used for sheep grazing and grain production. The wheat produced in the area was considered of high quality. Within the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary you can observe fence posts which date from the time of settlement. These were cut from local timber, either Red Gum or Yellow Box.
Early urban development
During the 1850's infrastructure was increased; roads, water supplies, sewerage etc. Much of the waste water was directed to select low lying areas while any other low lying wetlands were drained to allow for agriculture. The area now occupied by the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary was subdivided during this period. In 1908 the area was purchased by the Lands Purchase Board for 'Closer Settlement Purposes'.
Hospital development - Mont Park 1910 to 1965
Old roller
In 1910 the Inspector General for the Insane commenced the construction of farm cottages, including a 500,000 gallon (2,275,000 litres) water tank on Mount Sugar Loaf (now called Gresswell Hill). This was to become an extensive area set aside for the treatment of psychiatric patients. The hospitals were self sufficient in food with extensive areas of gardens for the production of every conceivable type of food including pork, milk, grains, vegetables and fruit. During this period two major wars occurred in which Australians participated. The hospitals were heavily used by the military for returned soldiers suffering from psychiatric and other illnesses. Also during this period, various recreational facilities were constructed, including an oval and tennis courts. Many species of exotic plants were planted and many can still be seen around the Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining Crown Land Nature Conservation Reserves. While some were planted for agriculture purposes most were planted for ornamental reasons.
La Trobe University 1965 - 1999
On 26th October 1965, 530 hectares was excised for the Mental Hospital Reserve. This corresponded with the closure of the Hospital farm in 1965. The original sanctuary was only 6.5 hectares and has been added to over a number of years to now total 28.8 hectares (not including Crown owned Nature Conservation Reserves).
Since the establishment of the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary there has been an extensive program of exotic plant eradication and the re-establishing indigenous species of plants. The major management issues faced by the staff of the sanctuary include invasion by exotic plants and introduced animals (such as foxes cats, starlings and Indian Mynahs).
Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR) came under the management control of La Trobe University in 1978. The Gresswell Habitat Link is the most recent addition to the sanctuary project, with management control being passed from Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 1996. The Habitat Link was established to provide a link between Gresswell Forest and the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary.
Since the 1970s The La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary has created a network of great wetlands that assist in the filtration and health of surrounding suburbs and ecosystems.
References
Bircanin I. and Short, A (1995). Glimpses of the past - Mont Park, Larundel, Plenty. National Library of Australia; Canberra.
Edwards, P. (1998). Towards a social history of the La Trobe University Wildlife Reserves: an investigation of the 'Historical Dunny' on the former Mont Park Hospital Farm. Department of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria
Freslov, J. (1997). Preliminary Archaelogical investigations of the La Trobe University Wildlife Reserves. Draft unpublished report prepared for La Trobe University Wildlife Reserves. Department of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria
Kenna, L. (1988). In the beginning there was only land. Lions Club of Bundoora: Bundoora, Victoria
