A $25,000 Coast Care grant, awarded to the Port Campbell Community Group, allowed monitoring cameras, an ecologist’s report, education program and a sticker and poster competition.

Community group secretary Dr Marion Manifold said the grant had enabled it to carry out a number of programs to shed some light on exactly what was happening on the headland. 

“We were amazed at what we found up there,” Dr Manifold said. 

“The cameras have helped us see exactly how many bandicoots are living on the headland.

“ I was amazed at what we found out. Until we started monitoring, I had no idea how many there were up there. 

“There are a lot more living on the headland than people may think.”

Dr Manifold said the grant had also allowed the group to carry out tree planting and weed removal and run an education program in local schools. 

“A few of us went into the local schools and spoke to the students about the bandicoots and what they could do to raise awareness and conserve the environment,” she said. 

“We ran a sticker and poster design competition with the students that then formed the basis of an exhibition.  There were also works from adults, who had been involved in a linocut print making and etching workshop.”

Dr Manifold said the linocut pieces were all of bandicoots, while the etchings were of other species of fauna living on the headland. 

“They will now be used as part of an educational sign to be erected. I think we have all learnt a lot from this and the best thing is we have educated so many other people as well.”

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au