The campaign for the Great Forest National Park is seeking to gain permanent protection for the key mountain forests to the east of Melbourne.

As part of the campaign, the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) is organising a human sign on May 13 on the summit of Mt Donna Buang to spell out the message that Victorians support the park.

The VNPA says:

On Saturday, 13 May we need you to join 400 people on Mt Donna Buang to send a message so big it’s one the Victorian government can’t ignore. We did it at the Prom for our parks in 2013, let’s do it for our unprotected forests!

Join us at Mt Donna Buang summit picnic ground on Saturday, 13 May between 11am and 2pm to show our love for parks and our unique forests of the central highlands.

The magnificent Mountain Ash forests of Victoria’s Central Highlands are home to the world’s tallest flowering plants and the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum. Despite a great campaign at the last election and two years of talks through the Victorian Forest Industry Taskforce, these forests are still being logged and we are still waiting for a new Great Forest National Park.

Help us spell out the message ‘WE *heart* PARKS’ by forming a human sign in the heart of the forest to send a clear message to the Victorian Government that we want our forests and their wildlife protected in a Great Forest National Park now – before they are logged into oblivion.

Bring warm clothes, your picnic rug and lunch and enjoy some live music and a cuppa after we’ve sent our message. Take in the beautiful views from the lookout tower or take a short walk.

Register to be part of this special event

There is limited space at Mt Donna Buang picnic ground, so please register through

Eventbrite to make sure you are part of this event: greatforestpicnic.eventbrite.com.au

As part of your registration, you can book a seat on a chartered bus that will take you from Melbourne to the picnic ground and back ($25 plus $2 booking fee) or you can carpool with friends and make your own way there. Parking is limited so please try and come in a full car.

You can choose from two pick up points if you are coming on the bus:

  1. Arts Centre Melbourne – St Kilda Rd, Melbourne CBD (departure time 9.30am)
  2. Kew – 53 Barkers Road, Kew (departure time 9.30am)

Once you are registered we’ll send you more information and reminders closer to the day.