The Marine Estate Champions program is a free community initiative which empowers residents to get hands-on to protect and restore Lake Illawarra.
Participants will join four evening workshops exploring Lake Illawarra’s ecology, dynamics, challenges and opportunities, take a catchment-to-coast field trip with local experts and pitch their own project idea at a celebratory graduation event.
One outstanding project will also be selected to receive mentorship and support to help turn their ideas into action.
Program timeline
Expressions of interest are now open!
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Monday 17 November 2025 |
| Applications close | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Participants notified | January 2026 |
| Workshop 1 | March 2026 |
| Field trip to Lake Illawarra | March 2026 |
| Workshop 2 | April 2026 |
| Workshop 3 | April 2026 |
| Workshop 4 | May 2026 |
| Project pitch event | May 2026 |
Who is it for?
Everyone! This program is open to anyone living in the Wollongong or Shellharbour City Council areas.
You can be a Champion for Lake Illawarra - If you love where you live, why not help care for it? As a Marine Estate Champion, you can build skills and turn your passion into meaningful action for Lake Illawarra. You don’t need to be a scientist or an expert, just someone who cares. The Marine Estate Champions program is here to support locals with big ideas and a desire to make a difference.
Why get involved?
Your backyard is part of the marine estate - The NSW marine estate isn’t just the ocean, it includes Lake Illawarra, our tidal rivers, wetlands, and beaches. These are the places where we swim, fish, paddle, and connect with both nature and culture. They’re ours to enjoy and ours to protect.
Lake Illawarra is part of a vast and valuable marine estate that supports our lifestyle, economy, and wellbeing. By getting involved, you’re helping to ensure a thriving coast and sea now and for future generations. The lake is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage and community spirit. Marine Estate Champions work together to honour and protect these shared values.
Apply for this program
Please read the Marine Estate Champions Program Terms of Reference PDF, 236.52 KB then use the button below to apply.
This Marine Estate Education Strategy program is funded by the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy.