Phillip Island’s National Surfing Reserve of the Year

The Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve has been awarded the honour of being named ‘National Surfing Reserve of the Year’.

The annual award was presented to the Community Working Group “in recognition of their ongoing and outstanding dedication to managing and raising the status of the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve and working with other Phillip Island and State stakeholders to ensure the Reserve is both well managed and well known.”

Commenting on the award, National Surfing Reserves Australia Chair Andrew Short stated “congratulations on the tremendous effort the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve Committee has put into the Reserve before and since its dedication.”

Since the Reserve was officially launched by Layne Beachley in March 2013, the Community Working Group has met regularly to ensure the Reserve is promoted, protected and respected within the community. Achievements include:

• Memorial plaques placed at Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Summerland and Cat Bay; 
• The production of a book and brochure about the Reserve; 
• Development of a history archive of surfing on Phillip Island and the Surfing Reserve; 
• Running an annual Tag Team Surfing Challenge for the community. 

Geoff Owens, who has been a key member of the Working Group since its inception, added “our role is to work together to ensure the values of the Reserve are protected and promoted under our motto of ‘Share, Respect, Preserve’.

“We are lucky to have a great team who work together and is supported by a wonderful community of surfers.

“On Phillip Island, we are lucky to have the natural and cultural values of our coastline protected by Phillip Island Nature Parks and Bass Coast Shire Council.

“The Surfing Reserve adds a layer of recognition of the importance of surfing to the area and community."

The Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve is the first of its kind in Victoria and one of eighteen across Australia. National Surfing Reserves is a voluntary collaboration dedicated to recognising iconic surfing sites in Australia and assisting NSR sites globally.

The Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve community project continues to be proudly supported by: Bendigo Community Bank San Remo, Cowes and Grantville; Ramada Phillip Island; Phillip Island Nature Parks; Bass Coast Shire Council; Phillip Island Board Riders Club and Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Find out more at www.surfingreserves.org

Middle image shows longboarders at Cape Woolamai in the 1960s, lower image shows (from left): Graeme Clauscen, Geoff Owens, Eleanor McKay, Sally O‟Neill, Derek Hibbert, Catherine Basterfield and Dr Andre Chiaradia with the National Surfing Reserve of the Year award. 

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