David Redfearn was the inaugural Chair of YRKA in 2004 and was President of the Merri Creek Management Committee and later Friends of Merri Creek. He is currently chair of the Merri Creek Environment Fund which supports conservation projects in the Merri Creek Catchment. He has held committee and board roles in the northern suburbs of Melbourne in several other organisations relating to education and training, community philanthropy and health. David is also a member of Rotary, has served as his club’s president and edits his Rotary district’s monthly bulletin. He was a Councillor for the former City of Northcote from 1982-93 and twice Mayor. David was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2012 for service to conservation and the environment, to local government, and to the community.
David has lived with his family in Northcote for over forty years after coming to Melbourne from rural NSW. His rural upbringing exposed him to the connection between the natural environment, landscape and community and this drew him to his support for the protection and restoration of the Yarra Birrarung and its major tributary, the Merri Creek.
He is delighted that YRKA has developed into a highly respected body from its humble beginnings with a substantial record of achievement thanks to some very passionate and dedicated people but believes that a strong advocate for the Yarra Birrarung has never been more essential as our natural environment and waterways face ever growing challenges from climate change, urban growth and development pressures.
“My favourite part of the Yarra Birrarung is around Yarra Bend and Dights Falls close to my home. I love wandering down there camera in hand to capture the beauty and soul of the landscape. I see our beloved river as helping us understand our essential dependence on the natural world and the need to cherish and protect it.”
