MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh says he will be swapping chocolate eggs for saltwater this Easter paddling a canoe in Port Phillip and Western Port to raise money for emergency services.
Cr Marsh says his trip will “shine a light” on the need to preserve the shire’s beaches and maintain its coastal infrastructure, such as piers, jetties, and boat ramps.
The challenge will take four days, starting in Mount Eliza on 15 April (Good Friday) and finishing in Somerville on 18 April (Easter Monday).
On the first day, Cr Marsh has set his sights on paddling from the Canadian Bay Yacht Club to McCrae Yacht Club, where there will be a fundraiser barbeque.
Day two covers the stretch from McCrae to Portsea pier, where there will be a “celebration” to mark the end of his time in Port Phillip.
Skipping the peninsula’s ocean beaches, Cr Marsh will start his third day at Flinders Pier, finishing well inside Western Port at Crib Point, where there will be another barbecue to raise money.
Easter Monday, the final day, will see Cr Marsh depart Crib Point for Somerville, ending with a “big celebration” at Yaringa Boat Harbour.
The mayor’s charity paddle will raise money for emergency services, including the SES and the Coast Guard. It also presents an opportunity for local clubs and groups to raise money along the route.
Sponsorships are available for business, ranging from $1000 (bronze) to $10,000 (platinum).
Cr Marsh said he was excited about the challenge and could not wait to four days paddling the coastlines of Port Phillip and Western Port.
As well as recognising “the amazing work” done by emergency services, his paddle “also provides a great opportunity to highlight the importance of looking after our coastlines and ensuring we get sufficient investment from the state government to preserve our beaches and maintain our piers, jetties and ramps”.
Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/charitypaddle
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 April 2022
