Dear All,

It was with some sadness that I learned recently of the passing of Brian Bull, Heathmont Bushcare member. For some time, Brian worked regularly in Uambi, meticulously weeding and caring for an area in the western part of Uambi, an area that used to be covered by very large swathes of Asparagus fern but which, thanks largely to the efforts of Brian, is now in a much better state than previously.

Please see below for a lovely email from Brian’s nephew, Johnathon, in which he describes what being a member of Heathmont Bushcare meant to Brian, as well as details of his memorial service to be held this coming Tuesday, 16th July, at 11.00pm.

Will Harper.

Dear Heathmont Bushcare / Harper Family,

My name is Johnathon McLay, and I wanted to get in touch with you to let you know about the passing of Brian Bull, who is my Uncle. He died peacefully in hospital last Friday morning at the age of 83. He had complex health conditions that made it increasingly harder for him to connect socially and to get out and about like he used to, especially as he was an avid walker.

I wanted to share with you how much Uambi meant to my Uncle and how by sharing his volunteering experience with others like me. It helped us both realise that we shared a keen interest in bush care / regeneration, the natural world as well as wanting to understand Indigenous history and culture.

I have volunteered at Landcare events / National Tree planting days and revegetated my own garden, where I live in Warburton, where I’m blessed to be surrounded by heaps of wildlife and local flora, as well as all the introduced ones too (Groan!).

Brian told me he began volunteering in 2018, after seeing a sign while walking his dog Millie I believe. He introduced me to Uambi and Heathmont Bushcare in 2021, when I came along to one of your Monthly Working Bees / Open Day,  which I was really happy to come along to, share morning tea, and go on a tour around the Perimeter walk. I could see how all the hard work of volunteers, by managing numerous weeds, maintaining paths and putting up signage,
had helped keep Uambi as a treasure in the heart of suburbia and home to so many species of wildlife and indigenous plants.

Getting to chat with people and learn from elders in the bushcare group really helped me get a sense of how Uambi has also helped to reconnect people with nature, community and open up our minds and hearts to the experience.

I will always remember my Uncle’s enthusiasm, positivity, determination and love that he shared with me about what Uambi meant to him and what being part of a group of volunteers brought to his life.  We spent ages talking about how a flock of goats (from Graze Away?) were used to clear blackberries and similar invasive weeds.  At the time this use of Goats was all new to me and I was keen to take a look at how it worked in practice as well at other locations such as Belgrave Station, where I grew up near. 

Last Sunday, I felt a strong pull to visit Uambi, so in the evening I drove down (for the first time in a couple of years), and by chance I bumped into David Harper pushing a wheelbarrow up the hill after a long day at the working bee I was really happy to bump into him, and mentioned about my Uncle and his passing. That meant a lot to me that David remembered Brian and he wondered what had happened to him and my Mum Pamela and my Aunty Marg were touched when I shared that with them. 

 After saying goodbye to David I spent a further hour or so strolling in Uambi with my head torch, and as the night grew cold and wildlife came out one at a time, I swear I could sense my Uncle’s presence somehow. Part of him lives at Uambi I reckon. It certainly will in my heart.

After reading through the signs, amongst the wealth of information and happy to also see the inclusiveness of indigenous culture along the way, I wanted to find out how I can get involved, and come along to the next working bee?

I would also like to share with you the details of Brian’s Memorial Service, in case anyone would like to join in the celebration of his life next week.   I’ve copied in the details below from my Aunty’s post:

A Memorial Service for my dear Brian will be held at the:
Boronia Road Uniting Church, 209 Boronia Road (Corner with Zeising Street)
on Tuesday 16th July at 11.00.  No flowers please but donations to Heart Research
in his memory will be accepted if you so desire. 
The service will be live streamed and I will post the link later when I have it. 
There will be light refreshments to follow.

Thank you to all of you at Heathmont Bushcare and the Harper Family.

Sincerely,

Johnathon McLay