May Moon MBE

Environmentalist and Conservationist

“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. 

Acknowledgement

This content was provided to Her Place Women’s Museum by Yarra Ranges Council. The content  was originally 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

Commemoration 

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. A commemorative plaque at the site reads:

“ In memory of May Moon M.B.E. who lived nearby,  Founder & full time Secretary of the “Save The Dandenongs League” A voluntary public servant of distinction. 

 Died 9 – 9 – 1977”

May also donated her 2¼ acre land at Montrose for an aged care facility in 1976, which was built and called ‘Tullamore’. May Moon died in 1977.

Her work is highlighted by the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum  and She Shapes History as part of the “Badass Women of the Yarra Ranges project.