REFLECTING ON A YEAR OF CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NETWORK IN 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we celebrate a year of learning, networking, and shared passion through the Community Engagement Network (CEN). This year, our members came together for two thought-provoking events that showcased the diversity of our landscapes and the strength of our community connections.

Exploring the Western District Lakes – May 2025

In May, CEN members joined Corangamite CMA CEO Amber Clarke and team to tour the Western District Lakes. We began at Beeac Community Centre, where we reflected on the strengths of the CEN to date and workshopped ways to make it an even more meaningful two-way exchange of ideas and learning. We agreed to keep getting out in the field, learning about the region, and connecting with each other, but also to make more opportunities to share ideas, hear from peers, and talk about practical actions to take into our own local communities.

Getting to know each other’s backgrounds better was a highlight. Members shared where they live, what they’re most passionate about, and why they joined CEN. There were tales told of four-wheel driving along clifftops, being chased by leopards and elephants in South Africa, getting lost while canoeing the Barwon River, bitten by eels, tree-changers turned conservationists, and kayaking into mangroves. It was a reminder of the rich experiences and knowledge in the room.

From there, we hit the road to Cundare Pools. Corangamite CMA Water Infrastructure Manager, Denis Lovric, explained the Woady Yaloak Diversion Scheme—built in 1959 to protect farmland from flooding, but rarely used since the ’90s. At Lake Corangamite, Candice Parker from Greening Australia shared how revegetation, burns, and weed control are helping restore habitat. Then Rob Bone, Corangamite CMA Biodiversity Senior Project Officer, shared the remarkable stories of the migratory shorebirds that visit these Ramsar Lakes: how they fatten up here for six months, then fly to Siberia to breed, shrinking their organs to fuel their wings. Despite climate change impacts, these lakes remain critical for birdlife—a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

We wrapped up back at Beeac Public Hall over lunch, sharing ideas and appreciation for the day.

Exploring Anglesea - November 2025

Our second event took us to Anglesea in November—the one sunny day in a week of rain. CEN members joined Amber Clarke, new Corangamite CMA Board members, and partners from Surf Coast Shire and GORCAPA.

Over coffee, we caught up on news since we last met: new CCMA Board members and Chair, progress on the new Regional Waterway Strategy development, work on climate adaptation, and natural capital investment opportunities.

Members shared fantastic ideas to take our work even further, like a youth-focused environment festival, marketing of natural capital opportunities, and tapping into corporate volunteer power. Then we turned to the Anglesea River and estuary: its history, pressures, and the challenge of balancing cultural, social, economic, and environmental values. We walked to the estuary with Rose Jackson and Rhiannon Glover, Project Officers from the Corangamite CMA Estuaries and Environmental Water team, learning how it naturally opens and closes—and why it’s sometimes artificially opened.

At Coogoorah Park, Jess Miller from Surf Coast Shire explained council’s role in managing public spaces, health, and safety, while we watched school groups using the river as a classroom and learning about nature on kayaks. Back at Anglesea Community House, Andy Bell shared GORCAPA’s long-term coastal planning, before lunch and networking.

Looking Ahead

These events captured what CEN is all about: engaged community members, shared learning, and collaboration. Huge thanks to everyone who joined, shared, and contributed ideas. Here’s to continuing to grow together in 2026.

If you are interested in joining the network and would like to learn more, please visit: https://ccma.vic.gov.au/get-involved/community-engagement-network/