Council are proposing to rename the land located at 1755 Donnybrook Road, Woodstock to 'Warren Ellem Memorial Reserve'

Council purchased this property covered in redgum woodland as a future conservation reserve from the Ellem family in 2022. Warren Ellem passed away in 2018 through the investigations and negotiations on property purchase.

Who is Warren Ellem?

WARREN ELLEM 1945 - 2018

  • Warren grew up in various rural towns in northern NSW where his father was School Principal.
  • In 1968 Warren took up a scholarship at Yale University (USA) and graduated Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy in 1972. He returned to Melbourne in 1973 and was a lecturer at Monash University and then La Trobe University until his retirement in 2004.
  • In 1983 Warren Ellem and his wife, Lucy Grace Ellem, puchased the historic "Bung Bong" farm at 1785 Donnybrook Rd, Woodstock. Its early bluestone homestead, stables and outbuildings are now heritage listed.
  • He was elected as founding President of the Northern Plenty Valley Action Group in 1989. The group aimed to bring together those who care for the Norther Plenty Valley's environmental, cultural and historical assets, to protect its natural environment and preserve its history and heritage.
  • Warren unfortunately passed away in 2018 in which time he was negotiating the sale of part of the family land to the City of Whittlesea for the purpose of a conservation reserve.

Warren Ellem's conservation of the land at "Bung Bong" through informed and responsible management has contributed to the preservation of the red gum open forests of the region. Through farming practice, indigenous planting, and conservation and through the precedent of the DELWP assessments with Bush Broker and Bush Tender, he played a major role in the City of Whittlesea's interest in and eventual acquisition of the land.

This has led to the request to name the conservation reserve, located at 1755 Donnybrook Road, Woodstock, Warren Ellem Memorial Reserve. A full copy of the submission can be read here.

Have your say

In accordance with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria your feedback is welcome on the proposed name Warren Ellem Memorial Reserve’ by 5.00pm, 15th September.

You can provide feedback by answering the questions below, sending an email or in writing to the contact details below. If you are unable to provide feedback in writing then please contact Council on 9217 2170 to discuss other options.