Coastline Spring Update 2011

Coordinators Message: Victoria Guess, Coastcare State Coordinator, DSE

Hello, and welcome to the spring 2011 edition of Coastline. In this edition of Coastline we will explore some of the issues and projects being undertaken by coastal volunteers along the Victorian coastline.

The winter planting season is in full swing. For the thousands of volunteers working across the state
the last few months have been action packed. Applications for a new round of grants funding is now
open to community-based conservation volunteer groups. Applications close 30 September 2011, so
contact your local facilitator or visit our website for more information.

In August, over 100 coastal volunteers from across the state attended a two day forum in
Williamstown hosted by DSE. The forum provided a fantastic opportunity for volunteer groups
to come together, discuss the program’s direction, develop long term strategies and build group
networks. Chair of the Victorian Coastal Council, Libby Mears, launched the 2011–15 Coastcare
Victoria Strategy, which sets out the three key strategic priorities for the program in the coming
years: engaging volunteers, building capacity and supporting participation. With endorsement from
the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Coastcare Victoria can look forward to continued
support for all the coastal volunteers’ conservation efforts.

As winter drew to a close, the Coastcare Victoria team said goodbye to two valued staff members.
Joanne Ludbrook, Bellarine Peninsula Coastcare Facilitator, has provided a wealth of skills and
expertise to the many coastal volunteers who have operated in the area over the past two years. Jo
has accepted an excellent opportunity to work with a climate change adaptation project in Western
Australia. DSE and the Coastcare team thank Jo for her work over the past two years and wish her all
the best in her new job.

State Program Coordinator Matt Fox has also accepted an exciting opportunity in Indonesia, where
he will work with Conservation International. Matt’s leadership of Coastcare Victoria for the past four
years has seen grants payments delivered to over 100 coastal community groups. He has coordinated the annual Summer by the Sea flagship program and been instrumental in guiding the team in delivering the Coastcare Victoria 2011–15 Strategy. On behalf of the Coastcare team, we thank Matt for his invaluable contribution to Coastcare Victoria, and wish him all the best in his new job.

As the weather begins to warm up and days become longer, I look forward to meeting as many
groups as possible and visiting the many projects being undertaken along our unique Victorian
coastline.

Click here to view the Coastline Spring Update 2011, Edition 57 ISSN 1329-0835

In this issue
Coordinator’s Message -Pg 1
Coastcare Victoria Strategy 2011–15 -Pg 1
Coastcare Victoria Community Grants Now Open -Pg 2
High and Dry: An unexpected landing -Pg 3
Tree Day Trail -Pg 3
Rising Sea Levels Threaten Indigenous Sites -Pg 4
Coastcarers Have Their Say -Pg 5
A Geologist’s Take on Recent Coastal Erosion Events -Pg 6
Sand Dune Rehabilitation -Pg 6
GORCC Launches Environmental Education Program -Pg 7
New Coastcare Group Taking Care of Ocean Grove’s Beaches -Pg 7
A Surfer’s Vision of Coastal Management -Pg 8
Group Update -Pg 8
Achievement of Young Conservationist Recognised  -Pg 9
Regional Updates -Pg 10
Coming Events -Pg 13
Coastcare Contacts -Pg 13