About Us

About us
Red Hill Community Association (RHCA) is a not-for-profit incorporated association working for the communities of Red Hill and Red Hill South on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.

RHCA gives a voice to the Red Hill and Red Hill South community, aiming to:
·        Create an informed and active community
·        Advocate on behalf of the community
·        Provide a forum for community engagement
·        Protect and preserve the rural character in which we live

We are always interested to hear about community issues that are of concern to you, or that you think might have an impact on Red Hill. We welcome your input, so please contact us.

Originally formed in 2005 by residents and community who were concerned with inappropriate development in the area. It changed its name in 2015 to have a broader role in fostering a sense of community and have a more positive and inclusive purpose.
Our quarterly newsletter is distributed to members, displayed on the noticeboard at Cellar & Pantry at the Red Hill shops and can be seen on our Newsletters page.

Membership is very important in terms of participation and influence. If you are already a member, please encourage others to join.

Commitee meetings and minutes

The Committee has links to other community organisations such as Red Hill Lions, Peninsula Speaks and Red Hill Ward Consultative Group, thereby keeping up to date with local matters. Committee members regularly meet with Shire officers and other local community groups to work together on projects that affect us jointly.

RHCA is always keen to hear from its members and the local community. If you have any issues you'd like us to look into, please contact us.

2018-19 Committee

David Maddocks, President &Treasurer
David has brought his wealth of knowledge and experience as a chemical engineer and quantity surveyor to his post-retirement occupations which centre around protecting the environment from threats, be they natural or man-made. His presidency of Manton & Stony Creeks Landcare Group and the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network reflect his major interests. David also attends the Residents Associations Meeting (RAM) where representatives from each township in the Red Hill Ward meet quarterly to discuss Ward issues of concern with the Ward Councillor and Shire officers.

Tom Orr, Vice President
Tom and his wife Wendy moved to Red Hill in 2000, after twenty years of farming near Cobram. Tom’s life-long interest in
conservation and his skills as a farmer led him to set up his
bushland regeneration business, which includes some farm
management. He is an active member of the Main Creek
Catchment Landcare group, including being chairman for nine
years; in 2016 he was nominated for the Joan Kirner Award. He
was also an active member of the Main Ridge CFA for twelve
years. He was drawn to the RHCA by their work at RH Station
Reserve, which reflected his beliefs in making Red Hill a more
liveable place while maintaining its rural character.

John Eldridge, Secretary
Following a career of 33 years in telecommunications, John and his wife Julie, moved to Red Hill in 1992 to fulfil a long-held urge to hands-on build their own mudbrick home and develop a sustainable lifestyle involving the application of Permaculture Principles. More recently they have built and moved into a second house of mud and straw-bales. This building and gardening experience led to John working in secondary schools in a Hands-On Learning programme designed to assist and maintain the engagement of students having difficulty in the classroom. John has also had other community involvement; as chairman of the board of the Mornington Community Trading Cooperative, which led to the creation of the Oakhill Gallery in Mornington and as President of the Rosebud Community Garden. John and Julie are also in a singing for fun group, a book group and both volunteer at the Red Hill Op Shop. John also has other voluntary roles – at the ECO House at the Briars and weeding at the Red
Hill South Community Reserve.

Kerry Watson
Kerry is a marketing and communications professional working as an adviser for State Government and brings a broad experience from the travel, health, community service and media industries to the association. Kerry and her husband moved to Red Hill in 2009 and she enjoys being active in the local community and is also involved with the Dunns Creek Landcare Group and the Hinterland Tourism Association. She is also a proud mum with three children, a keen traveler, adventure seeker, gardener and together with her husband David they run a small accommodation business, "Haven" Red Hill.

Libby Gott
Libby currently works in social policy and human rights within the local government sector and is studying a Master of Human Rights Law at Monash University. Libby's interest is in inclusive, accessible and diverse practices which focus on the interconnectedness of creativity, equal opportunity, and the environment. Originally from Naarm/Melbourne, Libby broadcasts occasionally on community radio (RRR), and works as an actor when she can. Libby was born and grew up on Wurundjeri country and now lives on Boonwurrung/Bunurong country. She loves the bush, the sea, and taking a bath.