On Sunday 30 July more than 80 community members came together at the Pt Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve to plant approximately 600 local, native species to celebrate National Tree Day.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning on 9 July when almost 30 local community members gathered at Miller Boys Memorial to engage in some winter planting with Bellarine Bayside. With the weather turning it on, our enthusiastic volunteers made light work of getting 600 plants in the ground.

NAIDOC week represents a time for all Australians to celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of our nation’s first people. It is an opportunity to reflect on and recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

Bellarine Bayside in partnership with various organisations and community groups are hosting a series of activities this summer. All activities are weather-dependent. Kelly Sports activities can be booked through the Kelly Sports website, Summer by the Sea activities are FREE (just turn up on the day) and the Bellarine Party Shop craft activities can be booked at the Portarlington Holiday Park reception office, but get in quick these sessions are filling up fast!

On Friday 30 June 2017, Portarlington Primary School Grades 3 through 6 participated in an Environmental Education Day with Bellarine Bayside, Bellarine Landcare, Bellarine Catchment Network and the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre.

Bellarine Bayside would like to thank the community for the very high standard of submissions received in response to the exhibition of the draft dog orders for the northern Bellarine.

The successful tenderer for the Port Pier Cafe site is local businessman, Mitchell Kovacic, who currently operates the popular Saints and Sailors venue in Portarlington. Mitchell’s new venture on the foreshore will be a cafe-style venue open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with takeaway options.

Bellarine Bayside is encouraging our local communities to come along to our upcoming Community Environment Days and other environmental interest days such as film nights. Our first event kicks off on Sunday 9 July (coinciding with NAIDOC Week) at the Miller Boys Memorial in St Leonards from 10am to 1pm.

Each year Bellarine Bayside partners with local, environmental organisations (Bellarine Catchment Network and the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre in 2017) to educate our primary school children on their local coastal environment and encourage the kids to become environmental heroes for the Northern Bellarine.

Breathe in the beauty and remember that by keeping our planet healthy, we keep ourselves healthy too.

In recognition of this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘explore the nature you love’, Bellarine Bayside is asking our community to get acquainted with your environment and explore the amazing species in your everyday world!