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Published on 12 February 2026
Students from Forrest Primary School spent time in Lorne this week learning what it takes to care for one of the coast’s most vulnerable residents: the Hooded Plover. Working alongside Kim Hammond and Nick John from GORCAPA’s Coastal Operations team, the group explored how these beach-nesting birds live, why they’re at risk, and the simple ways visitors can help protect them along the Great Ocean Road. The hands-on session brought conservation to life on the very coastline the birds call home, with students engaging enthusiastically and asking thoughtful questions, and possibly laying the foundations for the next generation of “Hoodie Heroes”. The day concluded with a special history session delivered by the Lorne Historical Society, giving students insight into the origins of the Great Ocean Road and the stories that have shaped the region over time. Nick John, GORCAPA Coastal Operations Leading Hand said it was encouraging to see young people so invested in understanding and protecting the coast. “Seeing that level of curiosity and enthusiasm is exactly what coastal stewardship is all about,” he said. “The coast belongs to all of us and caring for it starts with community. When young people understand why places like this matter, they carry that with them. That’s how we protect these environments, not just for today, but for this generation and the next.”