Margot Busch (President)
My move to Ocean Grove in 1997 was a long-awaited sea-change after 30 years living in country Victoria. At first, I simply revelled in living on the coast and enjoyed being a recreational beachgoer (albeit a responsible one!), outside of my working life in community services. Soon after Coastcare started in 2010 I became involved in working bees and education events and joined the committee in more recent years. While I am still a recreational beachgoer, with snorkelling being a favorite summer pastime, I feel I now have quite a connection to and responsibility for looking after the plants and animals we all share this coastal space with. And I’m heartened to see so many other locals join us in taking care of our fabulous environment!
Frances McAloon (Vice President)
I am a social worker, working in family mental health in Geelong and living in Ocean Grove. I joined Ocean Grove Coastcare in 2013 after moving here from Melbourne, having lived in Point Lonsdale 20 years ago and wanted to return to this beautiful coast. Becoming a member of a volunteer group was a way to join the community and contribute to protecting the coast. I believe volunteering is important to both individual’s and the community’s health and wellbeing, it’s fun and we can all make a positive difference, no matter how small – be the change you want to see in the world!
Jill Golland (TREASURER)
I have lived in Ocean Grove most of my life and have a deep passion for coastal and marine environments. Professionally I have just retired from a long career that included small and large scale vegetation management and regeneration for sustainable biodiverse objectives. Until recently I have also been an avid open ocean sailor.
Andrea Dennett
Andrea has been a passionate and active environmentalist on the Bellarine peninsula since the 1990's. For over a decade, she was the volunteer coordinator with BirdLife Australia's Beach-nesting Birds project helping to protect the endangered hooded plover. Andrea established Moonah Park in Barwon Heads to protect and enhance remnant vegetation and provide a wildlife corridor to the Barwon River. Now retired, after a long career in psychiatric nursing, Andrea is enjoying having more time for environmental volunteering.
Arwen Perrie
I was really keen to find some environment focused groups when I moved permanently to OG in mid 2022. The Weekly Weeders became a wonderful way to feel engaged and productive in my new town. I joined the committee at the end of 2024 and am enjoying the communications aspect of the newsletter and website. When I'm not pulling out Polygala in the dunes I might be hiking or boogeyboarding. When I'm indoors I love acting and singing, reading and enjoying all the arts.
Peter Danger
The many years of family summer holidays camping on the river side of Bukareeyoo (the spit) saw our connection & love for this part of the world to continually grow. This led us to take the plunge & make Ocean Grove our home in 2021. Being a part of Coastcare has given me the opportunity to meet & learn from like-minded people but also to continue to contribute & enjoy this special coastline through a different lens.
Rachel Harris
I originally came from county Victoria and traveled the globe before being magnetically drawn to Ocean Grove’s little community - as it was in 2000. I am an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about supporting others to have connection to occupation and purpose. By choice at anytime of day or season I am outdoors, engaging with nature. I care deeply about our role here in our little bit of this magical natural world and enjoy participating in bush and beach walks, cycling and working alongside others in Coastcare’s weeding, planting and community education sessions. I consider it a privilege to be able to call this special part of Australia home.
Wendy Bennett
Moving to Ocean Grove in 2020 was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, as I love all things marine and coastal. Joining OGCC has enabled me to connect with like minded people and contribute to the conservation of this very special pocket of the Bellarine Peninsula. When I'm not weeding Polygala up in the dunes, collecting rubbish on a beach walk or patrolling the 'Hoodies' in Summer, you'll find me teaching 4 year olds about Dinosaurs!
Jude Butwilowsky - Weekly Weeding Coordinator
After some time away, travelling and working in Melbourne, I moved back to Ocean Grove in 2007. I really missed living beside the ocean and being able to start or end the day with a walk on the beach or river with a spectacular sunrise or sunset as a backdrop. There is an increasing appreciation of our coastal environment and that being in nature has so many benefits for our health and wellbeing. Joining the Ocean Grove Coastcare committee was a way I could give back to my community through looking after our beautiful coast. Plus, it is very satisfying pulling out polygala and other weeds from our dunes and seeing what grows back!
