Victoria and Surf Coast
Reports:|HIAB|Festival|Spirit|Channel|Marine NPs|
|Rip Curl Pro|Bells|Green Room|Clean Up|Next we Meet|

FESTIVAL OF THE SEA

Surfrider had a stall in March at the Festival of the Sea at Barwon Heads. It was very popular, with lots of merchandise sold, membership inquiries, and stimulating discussion in a location that we don't visit all that often.

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SPIRIT OF SURFING GATHERING

Over 40 people attended the 2nd Spirit of Surfing Gathering at the Jan Juc SLSC on April 13th, with all sections of surfing community represented. Joe Sweeney, who organised the first track to Bells, talked about the history of surfing around Torquay. Many issues were discussed over the day, including how to deal with surf rage, commercialisation of surfing, the effects on the coastal environment, increasing numbers of surfers, and being sensitive towards locals and their culture when surfing overseas. The various outcomes from the Gathering will be formulated into protocols to be taken forwards at future gatherings. The Spirit Of Surfing may become an annual event on the Surf Coast, possibly over a few days to coincide with the Rip Curl Pro. Well done to Damian Goss and John Foss for helping to organise the event. For further info contact John Foss - jfoss@g130.aone.net.au

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CHANNEL DEEPENING AT PORT PHILLIP HEADS

Surf Coast attended a stakeholder meeting in with many new issues discussed including shifting sand, possible starvation of sand from beaches east of The Heads and where do they dump the spoil!? An Environmental Effects Statement with community consultation will be started shortly.

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MARINE NATIONAL PARKS

Victoria has 24 Marine Protected Areas with 3 on the Surf Coast: Pt Danger Marine Sanctuary, Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary at Aireys Inlet and Pt. Addis Marine National Park. Management Plans still need to be prepared. Parks Victoria attended our last branch meeting to advise us on how we can be involved in the preparation of the Management Plans which are to be in place by June 2004. Parks Vic acknowledged that the management will only be successful where there is a lot of community support, (which we have or the parks wouldn't be there in the first place.) Fisheries officers are contracted to assist in management to prevent poaching or fishing in protected areas. One or two SFA members will nominate to sit on an advisory committee.

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RIP CURL PRO

Congratulations to Rip Curl on another successful Rip Curl Pro. While the surf didn't cooperate as it might have, the Bells spirit still made for an excellent event, with some awesome surfing in the available conditions. Surfrider had a stall during the event on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday and the weather was good which meant plenty of people and some good exposure for Surfrider. Happenings of note included Occy signed a couple of shirts for us (good one, Occ!) and selling a couple of T-shirts to Dermot Brereton. After the contest area was packed up, the Reserve has been left in a very tidy condition, some area looking better than when they arrived!

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BELLS BEACH SURFING RESERVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Garry Kendall has resigned from being our rep on the Advisory Committee. It was agreed that Meagan McAlpine will be our new representative and Rebecca Hull will be an ex-officio or voting representative in Meagan's absence. Thanks to Garry for all your hard work over the last two years and congratulations Meagan & Bec.

There is a review of foreshore management in Victoria at the moment - looking to possibly get rid of Bells Committee and extend the Torquay committee to the Anglesea Committee. We hope not but more details as they come to hand.

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SURF COAST LIVING GREEN

The Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development is establishing a sustainable living festival called Surf Coast Living Green. It will be a 2 day event to be held in October and Surfrider will be coordinating other environmental groups on the coast to get involved. There will be an expo of local groups and services, a tour of environmentally sustainable homes and gardens, a forum with speakers & lectures, art competition, BBQ and entertainment - all run sustainably. Contact Darren Noyes-Brown for more information on 0411 552 447.

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BEACH CLEAN UP - TORQUAY

Sunday 1st June. Meet @ Torquay Back Beach, 11am.

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NEXT BRANCH MEETING

Wednesday 4th June at Bird Rock Cafe, Jan Juc 6:30pm. It's a dinner meeting to coincide with World Environment Day which is the 5th June.

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