The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s (GORCC) Coastal Reserves Manager Rod Goring is retiring at the end of the month after 22 years of coastal management.
Mr Goring began his career working for GORCC in 1994 which was previously known as the Torquay Public Reserves Committee of Management before amalgamating with Lorne Foreshore Committee in 2004.
GORCC Chief Executive Officer Richard Davies said Mr Goring left a significant legacy of improvements to the coast.
“Rod is loved by many and will be greatly missed. He has passionately implemented employment programs, coastal projects and upgrades of facilities both on public reserves and in GORCC operated caravan parks. “
One of Mr Goring’s proudest projects during his 22 years was the construction and development of the Point Danger Carpark and the ANZAC Memorial, which is now home to the Surf Coast’s largest memorial services on ANZAC day.
In his two decades of coastal management, Mr Goring has seen some major changes occur along the coast.
“I began here with a computer with no mouse, managing a caravan park and small team, trying to address a whole range of coastal matters in the 90s,” he said.
Mr Goring recalls how the work team then was so multi-skilled and flexible that at times in winter periods he would often ask caravan park receptionists to help out with the on ground conservation efforts in the park and along the foreshore.
“Before GORCC was formed, there was such a small team managing the coast. Nowadays we have teams of highly skilled individuals who specialise in different aspects of coastal management to allow GORCC to achieve more across the coast,” Mr Goring said.
Praised for his proactive approach in his management of the Reserves, Mr Goring has been nominated for the Victorian Coastal Council award for his ongoing contributions and commitment to the Great Ocean Road foreshore.
“I’ve found this position to be extremely rewarding for a whole range of reasons. I get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing the community enjoy using the GORCC implemented foreshore facilities.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be able to walk along the coast and know that you have personally influenced the protection of the coastal environmental and the sensitive development of recreation and access areas.
Mr Goring said travel was on the cards immediately after retiring, before returning to the Surf Coast to spend some more time surfing, sailing at the Lagoon Club and working in his vegetable garden.
“It’s been an honour working at GORCC. Not many jobs allow you to make a real difference to the environment that you live in and to so many people. I’ve been very lucky. It’s been a fantastic experience.”
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