Meet Carmel Darcy Bushland Crew Leader.
Tell us about what you do at Council. I lead the dedicated team who plan and roll out bushland maintenance activities across our most significant bushland reserves. Bushland work focuses on bringing back indigenous vegetation and improving habitat quality for indigenous flora and fauna. My team also supports programs that help the community build a meaningful connection with nature.
What is the most rewarding thing about your job? One of the best parts of my job is working with a passionate and knowledgeable team that genuinely cares about the environment. Another is seeing the long-term impact of our work transforming spaces back into healthy, thriving ecosystems filled with indigenous vegetation and wildlife. Running Nature Play is also special – seeing preschoolers become confident and excited to explore the natural world is a powerful reminder of how important that connection is, especially in today’s tech-driven world.
What does a typical week look like? My week follows a steady rhythm, but there’s always enough variety to keep things interesting. We start each day bright and early with a team briefing. When on site, most of the day is spent doing hands-on ecological restoration work, including weed control, habitat management, planting, identifying native species and monitoring the overall health of the bushland ecosystem. On Tuesdays we run the Nature Play program at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, and I reserve Thursday for planning the following week’s work. I also often work on weekends at community planting days and local festivals across Greater Dandenong – giving away free native plants and educating the public on the importance of using indigenous species in their gardens.
Why did you pursue a career in this field? I pursued a career in bushland management because of my deep love for the environment and a strong desire to protect and ecologically restore habitat. I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors, and this career allows me to do hands-on, meaningful work where I can see real results. As a kid, I felt a strong connection to the natural world. But after moving to the suburban environment of Dandenong, that connection faded. During my teenage years and into my 20s I became actively involved in environmental protests. Coming full circle and now working in Dandenong has helped me rediscover and fully appreciate the ecological significance of the local environment. Helping people reconnect with the environment and understand its importance is one of the most fulfilling aspects of what I do.
What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time, I love going to festivals that celebrate nature, music, community, and holistic living. I also love spending time with my big family – I’ve got eight siblings and over 20 nieces and nephews, and being an auntie to all of them is something I really treasure. Camping and travelling are big passions of mine, especially exploring Australia’s natural wonders. There’s so much beauty out there, and I’ve been lucky enough to see and work in a lot of it while road-tripping in my van.