MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh is still nursing his tired muscles from kayaking about 100 kilometres along much of the peninsula’s coast to raise money for charity.
But the pain is almost forgotten as the councillor of two years reflected on raising $35,000 and the “incredible” experiences since launching from Mount Eliza on 15 April.
The Mayoral Charity Paddle saw Marsh take to the water in both Port Phillip and Western Port over the Easter long weekend.
Marsh said the passing scenery highlighted the importance of the coast to the peninsula and the importance of an up-to-date coastal management policy.
“We get a lot of visitors to the peninsula who come for the coast, and it’s really important we manage it well,” he said.
“What this trip highlighted for me is the lack of investment in it and what we can do to change that.”
Marsh said it was fantastic to experience his own backyard from a different perspective and see a vast area of nature in four days.
All money raised from the kayak challenge will go to supporting the local Australian Volunteer Coast Guard’s Safety Beach and Western Port flotillas and State Emergency Service units at Sorrento and Hastings. Donations remain open until end of April.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 April 2022
