Reserve to honour champion
ENVIRONMENTAL champion Fred Cook OAM has been honoured for his work in helping to bring the much-loved Bellarine Rail Trail to life.
Geelong council has voted to name a Leopold reserve in Christies Rd adjacent to the rail trail Fred Cook Reserve.
The late environmentalist — awarded an OAM for his services to the community in 2010 — was a founding member of the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail upon its 2002 establishment and remained a member until his death in 2017.
It was a submission from the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail that prompted the recognition of one of its longest serving and most active members.
Mr Cook’s hard work led to the establishment of more than 80,000 plants and the coordination of over 20,000 hours of volunteer work by Friends of Bellarine Rail Trail members.
Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason paid tribute to Mr Cook at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
“Fred Cook OAM was very well known because of the social conscience he built, and his understanding of leadership and working within a team,” Cr Mason said.
“He carried all of those things from his early life.” JUNIOR rangers will be able to better connect with nature thanks to a $400,000 funding boost.
Lara’s Serendip Sanctuary, Ocean Grove Nature Reserve, Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary and You Yangs Regional Park will receive activity resources like binoculars and magnifying glasses and more training for rangers delivering the program.
Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the funding from adventure retailer Macpac would help to grow the much-loved program, “connecting more children and their families with the environment and creating advocates for the future of conservation”.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature, especially children. I encourage all families to take advantage of this great program,” she said.
The Junior Ranger program, run by Parks Victoria for decades, encourages kids to explore Victoria’s parks with a real park ranger by taking part in activities like rock pool rambles, historic tours and spotlight night walks. In the past eight years, more than 62,000 kids have used the program.
The three-year Macpac sponsorship will grow the Junior Rangers Program as an investment in the next generation of conservation and environment advocates. Macpac CEO Alex Brandon said the adventure retailer was “thrilled” to be investing in the future of conservation with the next generation of nature lovers.
“The partnership aligns perfectly with Macpac’s philosophies of protecting the environment and its wildlife and, having a lasting impact on people’s lives through the outdoors,” he said.