NEWS DESK
Partners expand environmental message WESTERN Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation and OzFish Unlimited have formed a partnership to “build awareness of the reserve’s environmental significance and encourage behaviours that will protect its marine ecosystems for future generations”. The partnership between the not for profit OzFish will extend the biosphere foundation’s reach beyond its resident communities and deliver important environmental information and advice to millions of boating enthusiasts and recreational fishers who annually visit the reserve, according to biosphere CEO Mel Barker. She said the organisations shared similar values, “founded on a shared vision to ensure local communities and visitors are well informed and equipped to enjoy one of Australia’s most alluring regions while sustaining it for the future”. OzFish promotes itself as an “organisation dedicated to helping the millions of Aussie recreational fishers take control of the health of their rivers, lakes and estuaries and shore up the future of the sport they love”. It forms partnerships “to invest time and money into the protection and restoration of our waterways, counteracting decades of degradation”. Barker said the human population within the biosphere reserve - including parts of the municipalities of Mornington Peninsula, Frankston, Bass Coast, Casey, Cardinia and French and Phillip islands - grew in multiples over holiday seasons, applying substantial pressure to fragile ecosystems.
Protection planning: Mel Barker, centre, CEO Western Port Biosphere, with, OzFish’s senior project manager Victoria/Tasmania Ben Cleveland, left, and national director of habitat programs Cassie Price. Picture: Supplied
“Western Port has become a mecca for recreational anglers, attracted by improved fishing experiences that have benefitted from recent changes to fisheries management in the Bay and will continue to improve with better habitat,” she said.
Are we ageing well? Join us at this year’s Positive Ageing on the Peninsula – Community Conversations to share your thoughts on ageing well, connect with like-minded people and learn what programs and supports are available. If you’re aged over 55, a caregiver, support worker, service provider, community group or involved with older persons in any way, we invite you to attend! • Hastings Wed 8 Nov, 10am – 1pm Hastings Community Hub • Rye Mon 13 Nov, 10am – 1pm Rye Civic Hall • Mornington Wed 15 Nov, 10am – 1pm Peninsula Community Theatre
Free lunch included. Transport available if needed. Book your free tickets over the phone or online: mornpen.vic.gov.au/positiveageingconversations 5950 1695
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Southern Peninsula News
25 October 2023
“Until now, the biosphere foundation has had limited communication with the recreational boating and fishing community and we’re keen to expand the awareness of its significance. “These new partnerships will open
up channels of communication to new audiences and be a great basis for more tangible collaborations and advocacy to improve the strategic planning and deliver the on-the-water projects that will enable us to meet our moral and legal obligations to
protect internationally significant habitat like Western Port’s Ramsar wetlands.” OzFish CEO and founder Craig Copeland has been advocating for fish habitat conservation and restoration for more than 30 years. “Recreational fishing and boating are huge in Western Port and the new generation of fishers understand that looking after their waterway is how to secure the future quantity, quality and diversity of the fish caught in the bay,” he said. “OzFish is growing its programs and engagement activities aimed at restoring the ecosystems that have established Western Port as one of Australia’s premier fishing destinations. “Our partnership with the biosphere foundation will add to the depth and breadth of future work and campaigns. We appreciate that Western Port is an iconic location, not just for fishers, but has international UNESCO and Ramsar recognition as a unique place.” Barker said that with the completion of its brand refresh program, the biosphere foundation would be working with OzFish and other partners to roll out communications to help as many people as possible understand the steps they can take to enjoy the reserve’s marine environment while minimising pressure or lasting impact on its ecosystems (“‘Strategic plan’ needed for Western Port” The News 12/9/23). Keith Platt
GA L L E R Y TA L K Archibald Prize 2023 finishes soon on Sunday 5 November. If you haven’t already visited the show, make sure you see it before it leaves Victoria. We recommend booking in advance as sessions are booking out and we would hate for you to be disappointed. People are loving the exhibition and enjoying coffee and a light meal at Commonfolk Cafe or local beer, wine and spirits and food from Habitat Bar. We expect the final couple of weeks to be very busy, so if you’d prefer a quieter experience, try to visit after 3pm. Our Friday and Saturday night sessions have been extremely popular, with live music and food and drinks at Habitat Bar. Check out our website to book in to one of our final Open Late sessions. We are excited to have our new curator Dunja Rmandić on board. Dunja has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the arts and cultural sector in public, commercial and artist-run galleries. Most recently, she worked at the Art Gallery of Western Australia as the Associate Curator Projects, Associate Curator 21 Century Art and Acting Curator International Art. She is a curator, writer and fierce contemporary creative cultures advocate and we are
mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580
Archibald Prize exhibits pictured left-right: Julia Gutman, Kaylene Whiskey, Laura Jones © MPRG.
very pleased to have her join the MPRG team. You can meet Dunja at an MPRG event soon! Entries for our VCE and VCE VET art and design student exhibition New Wave 24 close on Friday 27 October. If you know a talented young artist on the Mornington Peninsula - please encourage them to apply. It’s a great opportunity to participate in a group exhibition at a public gallery. We hope to see you here at the gallery for the final days of Archibald Prize 2023 at MPRG.
Danny Lacy MPRG Gallery Director
