Saturday, 29th April

Victoria’s dedicated Coastcare volunteers have been recognised for their ongoing passion and commitment to protecting Victoria’s coastal environment and its unique biodiversity.

Visiting Phillip Island today, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing opened this year’s Coastcare Victoria Statewide Volunteers Forum.

The forum is an opportunity to improve links between volunteers, provide information about grants and resources, share experiences from around the state and celebrate the achievements of Coastcare’s collective success.

The Victorian Government understands the important role Coastcare Victoria and their thousands of volunteers play in preserving our unique coastlines.

Community volunteer groups help to maintain our marine and coastal environment through activities such as revegetating, building boardwalks, fencing, building tracks, monitoring native shorebirds and animals, presenting education and awareness raising sessions, plantings, landscaping coastal areas and protecting cultural sites.

Ms Shing met with volunteers and reminded attendees that applications are now also open for $1 million in Community and Volunteer Action Grants for community groups and environmental organisations under the Government’s new Biodiversity On-ground Action initiative.

Groups are eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 to support activities that help to protect and improve local biodiversity and threatened species.

For more information on the grants visit:  www.delwp.vic.gov.au/grants

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Without the tireless work and efforts of volunteers and their communities in a huge range of contributions, our Gippsland coastlines would not be nearly as well understood, cared for, respected and loved as they are today.”

“I congratulate our volunteers for their outstanding achievements and all that they continue to do. Your dedication, enthusiasm and hard work in often challenging conditions and environments is inspiring.”