Jennifer Carr writes a popular Nature Watch column for the Voice each fortnight. She tells Justin Flynn what she loves about her home town of Ocean Grove.
What’s your connection to Ocean Grove?
My family moved to Ocean Grove from Melbourne in 2002, so it’s my 20th anniversary this year
of living on the Bellarine Peninsula. We moved here to escape the ‘rat race’ of Melbourne. My friend Katrina Watson, who is a GP in Leopold, moved to this area a few years before we did, and talked us into coming to have a look at Ocean Grove, and next thing I knew we had bought a house and were moving. It did take a few years to settle into the area and feel a sense of belonging, but I instantly loved the beach and more importantly enjoyed exploring the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. Most places I visited on the Bellarine resulted in the spotting of a raptor or two, which was very appealing.
What do you like about where you live?
I’ll have to list the best things – the beach, the view when crossing the Barwon Heads Bridge, the lovely people I have met, the birds I have seen, the great coffee and food in the main street at the Olive Pit and Kyosk, Bookgrove, the view from Point Lonsdale to Portsea, writing for the Ocean Grove Voice, working in Geelong with some wonderful people, and living near Kardinia Park. I also think we are fortunate in Ocean Grove that we have great services in the local area, including doctors, my favourite dentist David Lakis, Ocean Eyes Optometrists and the Bellarine Veterinary Practice.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I haven’t coped well with the overdevelopment of the area and the trees and space that have just disappeared, and as a result, many birds and animals have lost their habitats. In September 2014, I stood on the beach at Blue Rocks and was surrounded by hundreds of migratory shorebirds. This year I was lucky to see one. I’ve seen so much destruction of habitats in my lifetime, and I was so lucky to have seen the Barrier Reef before global warming caused bleaching of the coral. There is not an emphasis on preserving important habitats, as can be seen by the housing being built around Connewarre, and the duck shooting that occurs there in what is an internationally recognised Ramsar Wetland. I also don’t like the tendency for people to just trash the local area with rubbish, mainly from fast food outlets.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I love the healthy food at Kyosk, and the coffee at the Olive Pit. I love the bird books that Stacey sells at Bookgrove. I love walking through the nature reserve when I’m the only person there. I love that beautiful rare creatures, such as swift parrots, can be seen in the flowering gums around the Bellarine.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
I’ve been a one-eyed Geelong Supporter since I inherited this genetic condition from my dear mum Joan, and go to games at Kardinia Park with the family when work allows. I’m also an MCC member so have been to some great grand finals, including the Bulldogs victory in 2016 and the 2019 Richmond victory which included the astonishing debut of Marlion Pickett. The best grand final I have been to was the Geelong victory over Port Adelaide in 2007, as it was such a comprehensive team effort after years of disappointment. I was very upset when Gary Ablett Junior left Geelong to play with the Gold Coast Suns, and he will always be my favourite Geelong player.
