2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards

The Victorian Marine and Coastal Council congratulates the 2024 Awards finalists and winners, and thanks the many unsung heroes, volunteers and caretakers along the entire Victorian coastline, whose passion and dedication are greatly appreciated and often undervalued.

The Awards bring together the whole marine and coastal sector – including the Victorian community, Traditional Owners, universities, Coastcare groups, committees of management, not-for-profit organisations, local councils, state government departments and agencies, as well as private landowners and companies – to celebrate our treasured coast.

The Awards ceremony was held on 7 November 2024 on Wurundjeri Country at Showtime Events Centre in South Wharf, Melbourne (Naarm).

The Victorian Marine and Coastal Council is excited to announce the winners for the prestigious Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards for 2024:

Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Resilience
South Gippsland Shire Council for ‘The South Gippsland Coastal Strategy’

Excellence in marine and coastal design or development
City of Greater Geelong for ‘The Dell Eco Reef, Clifton Springs’

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
The Nature Conservancy Australia for ‘Reef Builder’

Inspiring community engagement and education – for professional agencies, large organisations and industry
Dolphin Research Institute for ‘i sea, i care’

Inspiring community engagement and education – community and volunteer groups/individuals
Friends of Griffiths Island – Port Fairy for ‘Switch off for Shearwaters - Light Pollution Management’

Embedding Traditional Owner cultural practices in management
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation for ‘Bukareeyoo - Returning Language to Country’

Recognising emerging leadership
Juliet Bảo Ngọc Doling

Recognising individual achievement
Joint-winners Neil Blake OAM and Mark Rodrigue

Special award for service
Dr Anthony Boxshall for his service to the Victorian Coastal Council (2015 – 2018) and the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council (2018 – 2024). Dr Boxshall has been instrumental in the development of the 2018 Victorian Marine and Coastal Act and subsequently the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy 2020 and Marine and Coastal Strategy 2022.

Media Release - 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards (PDF, 608.2 KB)

Booklet - 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards (PDF, 1.1 MB)

The descriptions of the Awards categories are as follows:

	Category	Description
	Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Resilience	For projects, programs or initiatives that embed a climate resilient approach in marine and/or coastal management, planning or operations.
	Marine and Coastal Stewardship	For private landowners and public lease/license holders who demonstrate marine and coastal stewardship – enabling and demonstrating outstanding respect and care for marine and coastal areas.
	Excellence in Marine and Coastal Design or Development A. Community and Volunteer groups/individuals B. Professional agencies, large organisations and industry	For projects and initiatives that showcase innovative, leading practice in marine and/or coastal design or development that is consistent with the principles of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
	Recognising Individual Achievement and Emerging Leadership A. For an individual in recognition of their significant and long-term contribution to the protection and improvement of Victoria's marine and coastal environment B. For an emerging leader or youth showing potential and promise in marine and coastal leadership in Victoria	For an individual in recognition of their significant and long-term to the protection and improvement of Victoria’s marine and coastal environment or an emerging leader or youth showing potential and promise in marine and coastal leadership in Victoria.
	Distinction in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation	For projects, programs and initiatives delivering an outstanding contribution to enhancing, conserving and protecting coastal and marine ecosystems and species, through marine and/ or coastal management, planning or operations.
	Embedding Traditional Owner Cultural Practices in Management	For an indigenous individual, Traditional Owner organisation or group who has actively embedded cultural practices into marine and coastal management, planning or operations.
	Inspiring Community Engagement and Education A. Community and Volunteer groups/individuals B. Professional agencies, large organisations and industry	For projects, programs or initiatives making an outstanding contribution to community education and/ or engagement to improve the Victorian community’s understanding of, and connection with, the coastal and marine environment.