Our Committee
Cottesloe Coastcare committee 2019: Alison Kopke, Valdene Diprose, Mike Ewing, Mike Gregson, Sue Freeth, Robyn Benken, Garth Scotford, Frauke Chambers, Marion Ewing.
Cottesloe Coastcare’s management committee is made up of up to 10 members along with a Councillor who represents the Town of Cottesloe. The Town’s Environmental Coordinator is also a member and works closely with the committee in implementing the Town’s Natural Areas Management Plan (Note: this is a large file!). Perth NRM also provides important support through their North Metropolitan Coastcare Officers.
The Committee meets regularly and its main focus each year is to organise the group’s on-ground work each year. Our activities are guided by our Constitution and our Annual General Meeting is usually held in the middle of the year.
Meet some of our committee members
Professor Mike Ewing is our chair. Mike has been with Cottesloe Coastcare since the beginning and his extensive background in agricultural research has been an important resource in our work using native plants to restore our coastal environment.
“For me it has been very enjoyable to join a group of like-minded people in the task of transforming our coastal sand dunes. Gradually they are changing from an eroding and weedy condition to a stable state that functions ecologically quite like it did in the past. We have demonstrated that the heavy population pressures that we experience in Cottesloe from the diverse array of beach users is not incompatible with a stable and aesthetically pleasing natural coastal landscape, it just takes a lot of effort to get there!”
Robyn Benken has been involved since the early days. She combines a great interest in local plants and animals with a passionate commitment to restore our natural areas.
“George Seddon’s inspiring book Sense of Place (1972) had struck a chord with me. Looking at our degraded coast I decided to join Cottesloe Coastcare and do something about it. I’ve been on the committee for twenty years and I’m still keen, even when the joints ache a bit!”
Valdene Diprose is a long-term resident with a love of Cottesloe’s beaches and native plants.
“I have been a volunteer with Cottesloe Coastcare for a couple of years. Our local, hands-on work is very satisfying. There is joy in being able to look closely and see our native plants and animals re-establish in the dunes along our amazing beaches.”
Alison Kopke is one of our newer committee members and brings much appreciated new energy to Cottesloe Coastcare.
“I find it very fulfilling to be involved with looking after our local environment and the people at Cottesloe Coastcare are a really nice group of people to enjoy the experience with. In fact, I can honestly say there are some truly inspirational people at Cottesloe Coastcare and it’s a pleasure knowing them and working with them.”
Frauke Chambers has been a loyal and committed member of Cottesloe Coastcare for many years as well as a long term resident of Cottesloe.
“Being involved with Cottesloe Coastcare since 2001 is one of the most rewarding activities of my retirement. It gives me a strong sense of belonging to my local community and the beautiful suburb where I have been living for the last 52 years.”
Garth Scotford is one of our newer committee members who brings experience and a broad perspective to our work.
“Seeing photos of the Cottesloe dunes in 2000, and comparing them with what CCA , in partnership with Town of Cottesloe have achieved to the present day, brings a lump to my throat. There are other partners in our work too. We are ever grateful to corporate and school groups, also Conservation Volunteers Australia…. we couldn’t do it without you.
We have achieved much but there is much more to do to maintain what we have and restore other areas of the dunes not yet touched. Daunting, but oh so thrilling!”