3220 Beach Patrol:

BeachPatrol is a litter collection volunteer community in Victoria, with groups operating in 40+ postcodes. Groups meet monthly to pick up litter from local beaches, streets or parks. During the monthly events, the groups log their data in a LitterStopper app, which feeds into Beach Patrol's litter collection database and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's LitterWatch database. Using this data, Beach Patrol then advocates for changes which will reduce litter, raise awareness of littered beaches and streets and support local and state governments in tackling the issues. 

​

I am the co-leader of the 3220 Beach Patrol, which is based in Geelong. Beach Patrol is all about people coming together, and we're proud of our diverse community. Families are a big part of what we do, including young kids. We want to teach them early on about taking care of the environment and thus I work to create partner events with local groups like Australian Parents for Climate Action (AP4CA). Recently, we organised a collaborative event with AP4CA, during which they screened a children's documentary on plastic pollution. Following the screening, Beach Patrol 3220 was invited to deliver a presentation about our initiatives. I received highly positive feedback from AP4CA, who commended my natural speaking ability and my rapport with the children. They expressed a strong interest in continuing our collaboration, recognising the value I bring to our joint efforts.

​

Additionally, school and university students are also a significant part of our team. As a Deakin student, I work hard to connect with the university management team and have maintained this connection for the last 1.5 years. In general, I advertise and connect with institutions like Deakin to allow students to gain volunteering experience which will help them grow and learn about environmental issues. We also partner with big organisations, and that means working with adults who want to give back to the community. These events are a test of my public speaking skills as they are not just about cleaning up, they're also about building team spirit and social responsibility. Lastly, one of our biggest demographics includes retirees, who bring their passion and experience to our group, adding a lot of value with their dedication.

 

Our ability to work with such a wide range of people shows how inclusive we are. We're committed to getting everyone involved, no matter where they're coming from. These partnerships help us make a real impact on our local environment and the people who join us. As a co-leader, I've been right in the middle of these collaborations which demands flexibility and effective communication skills — qualities I have been consistently refining throughout my 1.5-year tenure.

​

I'm also good at finding creative ways to gain more interest in our events. An example is how I devised a captivating beach patrol scavenger hunt game for our younger members. This innovative initiative not only engaged children and families but also served as a powerful tool for raising awareness about our mission. I additionally developed Beach Patrol membership cards which enabled young participants to collect stamps each time they attend our events, fostering a sense of belonging and incentivising continued involvement. These strategic and creative approaches underscore my commitment to expanding our reach and making our activities more appealing to a broader audience. I am continuously exploring novel ways to ignite enthusiasm for our cause and strengthen our community's connection to our mission.

​

Nonetheless, being co-leader of a large group which is part of an even larger initiative has taught me a lot. Once, I orchestrated a partnership event between our group and the neighbouring Werribee Beach Patrol group, with additional collaboration from the Geelong City Council and a few other large partners. However, on the day of the event, an unforeseen storm arrived, which led me to a critical decision-making moment.

 

Normally, I am someone who persists and pushes forward, determined to see tasks through to completion. But in this instance, the safety and well-being of those who had enthusiastically signed up for the event was most important. I arrived at the event site early, and, as I assessed the situation, I felt a surge of internal conflict as I tend to be someone whose instinctual drive is to 'soldier on.' 

 

Ultimately, I made the tough decision to cancel the event and reschedule it for another day. This moment of restraint signified a transformative point in my leadership journey. It showcased my capacity to set aside personal inclinations for the greater good and demonstrated my understanding that leadership, at its core, is about safeguarding and prioritising the welfare of the group above all else.

​

Overall, my involvement as co-leader has contributed to my personal development by honing skills such as organisation, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. I believe that leading a volunteer community requires continuous growth and adaptability, therefore I have also showcased my commitment to self-improvement. I would also like to believe that my efforts have led to positive impacts within the community. I try to tailor clean-up events to community needs. Community input often guides us, as we receive suggestions from Geelong residents about areas which require attention. 

​

By advocating for changes to reduce litter and raising awareness about the issue, I've actively worked towards improving the environment and the quality of life for residents in the Geelong area which demonstrates my commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Nature Ambassador:

In 2022, Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) recruited Nature Ambassadors to take action through the CVA’s #SeaToSource program, which supports the efforts of people around the country to tackle one of the world’s most solvable environmental issues – ocean litter. 

As a Nature Ambassador, my role is to act in the community and environment, inspiring others to make a difference. Therefore, through my role, I've led and participated in diverse community engagement projects, such as community clean-ups, waste reduction campaigns, and Nature Block planting activities. During these events, I support the main CVA officer with participants and lead some events. These initiatives require effective coordination and communication, and my role has allowed me to engage with people from various backgrounds and communities, fostering collaboration and teamwork to address ocean litter. However, my role as a Nature Ambassador goes beyond assisting the main CVA officer. I also take on independent projects, such as leading an initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic coffee cups, specifically as the project lead for the Geelong region.

 

This independent project was undeniably a learning journey, as my responsibilities involved engaging with local businesses to promote sustainable practices. One particular encounter with a café highlighted the challenge of overcoming resistance to eco-friendly initiatives.

 

I approached a café in the area with a proposal to reduce single-use plastic waste. I suggested alternatives such as offering reusable cups and promoting eco-friendly packaging. However, the café owner expressed resistance to the idea, citing concerns about the potential cost and operational changes that these eco-friendly initiatives might entail. 

 

During planning meetings for the project, the group of Nature Ambassadors involved had discussed the possibility of such situations occurring. However, up until this point, I had only met with very environmentally focused businesses that did not show any resistance. Thus, this encounter came as a surprise.

 

In response, I took a different approach. Instead of pushing for immediate changes, I engaged in a constructive conversation with the café owner. I listened to their concerns and needs, empathising with their position. This approach allowed me to understand their hesitations and find common ground using the guidelines we, as Nature Ambassadors, had put together for this situation. 

 

This encounter taught me that vulnerability and adaptability are essential when addressing resistance to sustainability efforts. It's not always about immediate change but about building relationships, understanding concerns, and working collaboratively to find sustainable solutions. It also reinforced the notion that change, especially in sustainability, often requires patience and persistence.

My involvement in the role goes beyond the requirements of my degree, indicating a sustained commitment to leadership and environmental advocacy. By actively engaging with communities and spreading awareness about environmental issues, I have positively impacted individuals' understanding of self and others, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the environment. The initiatives I've undertaken, such as partnering with Deakin cafes to reduce plastic waste and collaborating with Deakin Residential Services for awareness campaigns, have left a lasting social impact. These actions have not only reduced plastic waste but also inspired others to adopt sustainable practices, leading to a wider positive influence on the community.

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

Deakin Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) water monitoring program focused on monitoring waterway conditions, environmental education and awareness. It brings together schools, community, landcare groups, landowners, councils, water managers and individuals to test the quality of their local stream or waterway so that action can be taken to maintain or improve the water quality.

I first joined the CCMA water monitoring program training sessions to learn more about water monitoring, however, I found that all the active monitoring groups were far from my area. I identified this gap and initiated the setup of a water monitoring group near my university campus, which demonstrates my proactive leadership in recognising opportunities for positive change. With the help of the CCMA, I arranged training for all my members and was provided with all the necessary equipment to undertake water quality monitoring. This showcases my project management skills and ability to set up a team, something I have had experience with in the past. Since then, the sustained success of the water monitoring group, with routine data uploading to the CCMA database for over a year signifies my ability to lead and maintain initiatives beyond the initial setup.

​

In 2022, Deakin launched a new sustainable initiative which involved the creation of a chain of wetlands which flow into the current water quality testing site. This aligned with the activities of my Waterwatch group and led to further growth opportunities. I took the initiative and after talks with both Deakin and the CCMA to select new survey locations and get access to monitor the new wetland areas, our group is now monitoring both the Waurn Ponds Creek and campus wetlands. In addition, I've also recently got my group members trained in surveying aquatic macro-invertebrates (waterbugs) in addition to water monitoring.

 

However, my role with Waterwatch has not been all plain sailing, I recently encountered a challenging situation that necessitated open communication and collaboration with Deakin University and the organization responsible for monitoring the Deakin wetlands. 

 

Over several weeks, our monitoring team observed a deteriorating trend in one of the newly constructed Deakin wetlands, which was slowly draining and had become isolated. This situation tested our team's ability to communicate effectively, leaving us feeling vulnerable and concerned as the water quality in the wetlands is critical for the local ecosystem and for supporting educational and research activities at Deakin University.

 

In response, I took the initiative to reach out to Deakin University's Grounds Manager, with whom I maintain contact regarding the group's efforts, and the organisation responsible for the construction of the wetlands. Both parties welcomed the communication and assured me that they were taking measures to resolve the issue. We discussed the importance of ongoing monitoring, implementing remediation measures, and enhancing community awareness of the wetlands' significance.

 

Through this experience, we not only improved the water quality in the Deakin wetlands but also strengthened our relationship with Deakin University and the organization responsible for the wetlands' construction. It underscored the role of vulnerability and adaptability in environmental leadership and the necessity for continuous engagement to protect and enhance our natural surroundings.

 

By creating a monitoring group closer to the university campus, I've increased access to environmental education and awareness, positively influencing both individuals and the community. Additionally, the alignment of my Waterwatch group's activities with Deakin's sustainable wetland initiative demonstrates my ability to strategically leverage opportunities for growth and collaboration. This passion has led to Deakin University acknowledging the group as part of their official biodiversity plan.

​

 

​

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​