Gellibrand River
The Gellibrand River’s journey begins in south-west Victoria, in between the seaside suburbs of Geelong and Warrnambool.
- The Gellibrand River is considered to be one of the more ecologically healthy rivers in Victoria.
- The Gellibrand River flows through significant areas of intact native vegetation which are examples of remnant habitat important for fish and other wildlife.
- The catchment consists of eucalyptus forests and cleared agricultural land and boasts the highest rainfall in the state.
- Low flows over summer also present risks of estuary closing over which seriously impact on fish migration and natural habitats.
People who love and depend on the Gellibrand River have many memories and insights to share – of watching platypus forage in the river, of political wrangling, and it as an ever-changing organic wonder.
Take a minute and explore the Gellibrand River through the eyes of these river champions…
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Chris Tipler: An Otway Ranges tree-change
A chance sighting of a newspaper advertisement more than 15 years ago led long-time Malvern resident Chris Tipler to an Otway Ranges tree-change property...
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Malcolm Gardiner: Building a river-side legacy
Gellibrand resident Malcolm Gardiner was 16 years old when he pleaded for his parents to protect bushland along a creek on the family's new 157-acre property... more
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Marina Lewis: Caretaker of a diverse land
Marina Lewis splits her time on her forested Gellibrand property watching platypus forage in the river, blue cranes feeding on the pond and echidnas shuffling... more
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Matt Bowker: Teaching people about Gellibrand River
In 1996 Matt Bowker finished work at BHP with the intention of spending a year helping out at his father's Princetown farm and school camp. Twelve years later... more
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Theo Barlow: Governed by the Gellibrand River
Lifetime dairy farmer Theo Barlow says his 73 years have been governed by the Gellibrand River and that his forefathers would be shocked by its current condition... more
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Yvonne Lawson: Preserving Gellibrand River for future generations
Not only is Yvonne Lawson a sixth generation Princetown resident, she has also lived on both ends of the Gellibrand River. The 60-year-old learnt to swim in the... more
Other Western Rivers
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