Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards 2020

The Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards 2020, are the first awards hosted by the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council (VMaCC) with the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018. The awards build on the history of the Victorian Coastal Awards, held since 2000, in celebrating the efforts and achievements of Victorians in protecting and enhancing coastal and marine environments.

The 2020 Awards highlight the importance of the community and partnerships in making sure the many values of Victoria’s coastal and marine areas are safeguarded for the future. Nominations were received from individuals, community groups, Traditional Owners, schools, universities, students, Coastcare groups, ‘friends of’ groups, committees of management, private companies, partnerships, not-for-profit organisations, local councils and state government departments and agencies.

2020 has been different, with Victorian communities navigating the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and changes to the ways we gather and celebrate. This year’s awards were delivered as an online event on Friday 20 November, with finalists and winners announced by the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.

Please use the interactive map below to explore profiles, videos and images for the award winners and finalists. Congratulations to all those involved in achieving amazing outcomes for our special marine and coastal areas.

Interactive Map - Explore the winners and finalists

This interactive is best viewed on a desktop or tablet device.

See the
Winners

Climate
Adaptation

Science &
Research

Biodiversity &
Ecosystems

Design &
Development

Traditional
Owner
Custodianship

Education &
Engagement

Individual
Achievement

map

Winner

Excellence in marine and coastal design or development

Port Welshpool long Jetty

Gippsland Ports

The Port Welshpool long jetty has an long history as important asset for Bass Strait maritime activity, becoming a local icon of historical significance and recreational value. This project used environmentally sensitive construction works to restore the jetty, minimising disturbance and enhancing the marine habitat. The jetty now attracts around 400 visitors per day in peak season.

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Commendation

Excellence in marine and coastal design or development

Corinella boat ramp reconstruction

Corinella Foreshore Committee of Management

Over the course of five years this amazing group of volunteers designed, funded and implemented reconstruction of the Corinella boat ramp resulting in a 50% increase in boat ramp capacity. The boat ramp was built with minimal environmental impact on the surrounding highly sensitive RAMSAR areas of Western Port Bay and features a floating pontoon to accommodate future sea level rise and extreme weather events.

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Finalist

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Gabo Island Project

Friends of Mallacoota

The Friends of Mallacoota have an ambitious goal of Gabo Island being weed free within 5 years. So far the group have removed 3 hectares, and are undertaking flora and fauna surveys to document the species present, including rare and vulnerable species. They have even identified a new species of orchid.

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Winner

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Corner Inlet Broadleaf Seagrass Restoration Project

Yarram Yarram Landcare Network

Corner Inlet is an important area for commercial and recreational fishing. However, in recent years the broadleaf seagrass meadows that provide food and habitat for fish populations has been devoured by Purple Sea Urchins. The Yarram Yarram Landcare Network led a collaborative community project with the local commercial industry to protect and revegetate these seagrass meadows, restoring habitat and resilience of this important ecosystem.

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Finalist

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Community volunteer partnership

Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association / Friends of Harmers Haven

Harmers Haven on the Bass coast is a critical area of biodiversity and habitat, home to many rare and threatened species of flora and fauna. This community partnership has been driving coastal ecosystem conservation for over ten years delivering a multitude of activities from habitat protection and revegetation to pest control and community education.

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Finalist

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Coastal Flinders Restoration Project

Friends of Flinders Coastline

The Friends of Flinders Coastline have been working with Parks Victoria for 15 years protecting and enhancing the endangered and vulnerable remnant vegetation on the Flinders coastline. Their work has spanned habitat corridors for local fauna, revegetation, weed and pest control as well as engagement across the local community to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation.

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Winner

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Seals as Ecosystem Sentinels

Phillip Island Nature Parks

The ‘Seals as Ecosystem Sentinels’ project aims to understand changes in the marine ecosystem that impact on seals. Citizen scientists are using drones to monitor seal colonies, collecting data on population numbers and ecosystem changes. This innovative approach reduces the human impact on the seal colony and enables managers to quickly detect and respond to changes.

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Finalist

Distinction in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation

Rock Lobster tagging project

Victorian Fisheries Authority

The first of its kind in Australia, this project is using tagging to gather information on the number of rock lobsters harvested through recreational fishing and diving each year. Over 8000 people registered to participate in the trail program, with over 14,000 lobsters tagged and reported via an app during the first two seasons. As a result the accuracy of annual rock lobster stock assessments is improving, enabling more informed decision making to support sustainable management.

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Winner

Leadership in climate adaptation and resilience

Living Shorelines – Ramblers Road Foreshore

City of Greater Geelong

This project showcases a climate resilient approach to managing coastal inundation and sand movement on the Ramblers Road foreshore near Geelong. Rather than hard engineering a seawall, the project partners used an innovative ‘living shorelines’ approach. The foreshore was raised using swales and revegetation, and an offshore reef system was installed to reduce wave energy. As a result, inundation events have decreased, beach and foreshore habitat has been restored, and seagrass has re-established in the shallow waters.

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Winner

Embedding cultural practices in management

Protecting Traditional Owner Country of the Gippsland Lakes

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

The Gunaikurnai people have a deep, longstanding connection to the Gippsland Lakes area, and have done so for thousands of years. Fishing, camping, hunting and gathering remain key traditional practices, and the landscape holds significant cultural heritage values. The Gunaikurnai Community (represented by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation) have led the way in developing a planning and delivery framework to guide the management of Country and community involvement across the Gippsland Lakes. A diversity of projects and programs has bought cultural connection, jobs, training, and landscape benefits to the whole community.

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Winner

Inspiring community engagement and education

Beach Patrol 3280-3284

In Warrnambool on Victoria’s west coast, Colleen Hughson leads a group of dedicated Beach Patrol volunteers. Her campaign to protect the marine environment began in 2017 after a plastic nurdle spill impacted local beaches. Colleen mobilised volunteers to be part of a local clean up and continues to lead broader community engagement on marine health through art and online educational resources.

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Finalist

Inspiring community engagement and education

Two Bays project

Saltwater Projects

The Two-Bays project has been running for over 15 years, conducting marine research, education and engagement activities aboard their 62-foot catamaran. Their success has seen over 10,000 people participate, experiencing the value of dialogue and information sharing, that enables ideas to be shared and new partnerships formed.

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Winner

Inspiring community engagement and education

Barwon Estuary Project

The Barwon Estuary is an extraordinary mix of lake, swamp, salt marsh, sea grass, mudflats, moonahs, mangroves and moon snails. Aimed at inspiring passion and stewardship of this iconic estuary, this project used a mix of scientific and creative art activities to engage and educate the local community. Activities ranged from guided walks, photography workshops and poetry to litter collection, revegetation and weed removal.

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Finalist

Inspiring community engagement and education

‘Share our Shores’ campaign

Barwon Coast Committee of Management

The ‘Share our Shores’ campaign focussed on vulnerable sand dunes, habitat and wildlife being damaged by human behaviours and dogs on beaches. Through a wide-ranging community education and awareness campaign the program increased public awareness about the issues and promoted positive behaviours. The result was a clear shift in community attitudes and actions that care for the coast.

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Winner

Inspiring community engagement and education

Port Phillip Baykeeper

Port Phillip EcoCentre

The Port Phillip Baykeeper program delivers a diverse and ever-expanding suite of education, engagement, citizen science and environmental improvement projects tackling ecosystem scale issues and opportunities across Port Phillip Bay. The program has engaged over 27,000 participants and coordinated 26,700 volunteer hours to monitor and improve catchment, coastal and marine health.

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Finalist

Inspiring community engagement and education

‘Turn the Tide’ program

Phillip Island Nature Parks

‘Turn the Tide’ has inspired over 1,200 students to appreciate and care for the coast. The program provides students with an understanding of biodiversity and the connections between their actions and what happens in the marine and coastal environment. Students create their own conservation activities, leading implementation at school and within their local community.

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Finalist

Inspiring community engagement and education

Bellarine Catchment Network

This not-for-profit environmental organisation based on the Bellarine Peninsula works in collaboration with over 32 ‘friends of’ groups, organisations and land managers to deliver a diverse range of terrestrial and marine initiatives. Established programs include ‘Gardens for Wildlife’, ‘Be a Hero’ litter campaign, educational programs in schools, planting days with local groups, ‘Caring for our Bays’, ‘Businesses Caring For Our Bays’ and involvement in Coastcare’s annual ‘Summer by the Sea’ program.

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Winner

Innovative applied research

Deakin Marine Mapping Group

Peter Porskamp

This innovative research involved mapping large areas of seafloor habitat, significantly improving our understanding of Victoria’s marine environment. The research outcomes have advanced the way coastlines and ecosystems are classified and guides the way high priority marine areas are assessed, managed, and protected.

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Winner

Innovative citizen science

Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program – Citizen Science Drone Program

Citizen Scientists, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Through this project volunteer groups across Victoria are using drones to conduct flight surveys of their local beaches. High resolution 3D models are generated and used to inform local planning and management responses to the coastal processes occurring. The information is also used to engage and educate local communities about their beach.

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Winner

Outstanding individual achievement

Kent Stannard

‘Tag for Life’

Kent Stannard is passionate marine environment advocate, surfer and driving force behind ‘Tag for Life’, a research and education program on white sharks. Kent is the winner of the Outstanding Individual Achievement award for 2020. Through ‘Tag for Life’ and his enduring commitment to white shark research and education, Kent has become regarded as a community leader, educator and ocean custodian.

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Winner

Emerging marine and coastal leader

Fam Charko

Fam Charko is a marine biologist and passionate science communicator and the 2020 Emerging Marine and Coastal Leader. A self-declared ‘girl with gills’, Fam expresses and shares her deep connection to the land and waters of her adopted home of Australia dedicating her work and personal time connecting to and protecting the coasts and marine environment of Victoria.

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Outstanding Individual Achievement

Winner - Kent Stannard

Emerging Marine and Coastal Leader

Winner - Fam Charko

Traditional Owner Custodianship

Winner - Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation - Protecting Traditional Owner Country of the Gippsland Lakes

Distinction in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation

(Community and Volunteer groups / individuals)

Winner - Corner Inlet seagrass restoration project - Yarram Yarram Landcare Network

Finalist - Gabo Island Project - Friends of Mallacoota

Finalist - Coastal Flinders Restoration Project - Friends of Flinders Coastline

Finalist - Community Volunteer Partnership - Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association / Friends of Harmers Haven

(Professional agencies and large organisations)

Winner - Seals as Ecosystem Sentinels - Phillip Island Nature Parks

Finalist - Rock Lobster tagging project - Victorian Fisheries Authority

Inspiring Community Engagement and Education

(Community and Volunteer groups / individuals)

Joint Winner - Barwon Estuary Project

Joint Winner - Beach Patrol 3280-3284

Finalist - Two Bays project - Saltwater Projects

(Professional agencies and large organisations)

Winner - Port Phillip Baykeeper - Port Phillip Ecocentre

Finalist - 'Share our Shores' campaign - Barwon Coast Committee of Management

Finalist - Bellarine Catchment Network

Finalist - 'Turn the Tide' program - Phillip Island Nature Parks

Excellence in Marine and Coastal Design or Development

Winner - Port Welshpool long jetty - Gippsland Ports

Special Commendation - Corinella boat ramp reconstruction - Corinella Foreshore Committee of Management

Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Winner - Living Shorelines - Ramblers Road Foreshore - City of Greater Geelong

Innovative Applied Research

Winner - Peter Porskamp

Innovative Citizen Science

Winner - VCMP Citizen Science Drone Program

Page last updated: 27/08/24