Bundoora in Banyule, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Greenwood Reserve

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026

1. Greenwood Reserve Marker

Inscription. This reserve was formerly known as Mental Health Reserve, a name commemorating the open space that surrounded the former Mont Park psychiatric institutions established in the area in 1910 after the State Government bought 1,000 acres of land in 1909. The land surrounding Mont Park was used for farming and provided patients with a natural environment to assist in their treatment.

Shell shocked soldiers returning from World War I were cared for in separate newly constructed wards that reverted to State Government use after the War. The Military Mental Hospital was built in 1919. As shown in the pictures below, the convalescence of soldiers was supported by time spent in the natural environment that surrounded Mont Park. Greenwood Reserve, together with the adjoining Wildlife Reserve and Gresswell Forest, is rich in history, plant and animal life.

The vegetation community in this area is Plains Grassy Woodland - River Red Gum. The majestic River Red Gum (pictured below) is the dominant tree species in Greenwood Reserve.

River Red Gums are excellent homes for native Australian birds, animals such as the Sugar Glider,

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and insects. These ancient trees provide habitat in the form of nesting and breeding hollows. Because hollows take over 125 years to develop in mighty River Gums, it is important to protect and conserve these trees to support biodiversity and provide habitat.

Erected by Banyule City Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 37° 42.494′ S, 145° 4.389′ E. Marker is in Bundoora, Victoria, in Banyule. It is on Greenwood Drive 0.1 kilometers east of Lea Crescent, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 Greenwood Drive, Bundoora VIC 3087, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserves

Greenwood Reserve Marker near the main northern entrance to the reserve image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 20, 2026

2. Greenwood Reserve Marker near the main northern entrance to the reserve

(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); 40mm Bofurs No 12 (Bristol) Anti Aircraft Gun (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Citizens of Diamond Valley and Watsonia R.S.L. War Memorial (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); 25 Pounder Mark 2 on Carriage 25 Pounder Mark I/L (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Quirk's the Tailor and Mrs Quirk's Tea Rooms (approx. 3 kilometers away); Swimming Pool on the Plenty River (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Eltham Avenue of Honour (North) (approx. 6.6 kilometers away); The Barak Bushlands (approx. 6.6 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves. Parks Victoria

Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is the largest of the three Nature Conservation Reserves. Here you'll find remnant River Red Gum woodland that's home to many different bird and animal species. It is significant as one of the most intact examples of remnant Grassy Woodland in the Melbourne region Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve was first created as a buffer zone around a quarantine wing of the Mont Park Hospital in the early 20th century. The land was then excised from the hospital in
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1976 and managed by La Trobe University from 1978 until 2011.

(Submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.