“It looked like a torrential downpour coming from the ocean. The energy that was pouring out from everyone… it was a surreal moment. I remember thinking, ‘We’re really on to something here.’ People are very upset and willing to stand up and protect their beaches.”
Damien Cole, newly appointed National Campaigns Manager for Surfrider Foundation Australia, describes the Fight for the Bight paddle out demonstration at Torquay in March 2019. You may have heard him speak at that rally, seen him out in the surf, or perhaps you recognise him because he ran for both State (2018 South Barwon) and Federal (2019 Corangamite) elections. Through his tireless campaigning and genuine commitment to his community, Damien has earned himself the reputation of being that young local tradie who put his hand up to protect our environment.
“No one thing brought me to where I am now, I guess it’s the building blocks of life. My parents have been environmentally aware and outspoken in the community. I attended my first protest with them at age 6 in France. All the pro surfers did a walk past the Vice President’s holiday house on the way to their competition when the French nuclear bomb testing was happening in the Pacific. I still remember the day so vividly, people coming together for a cause. I remember thinking -Wow, these people are all standing up for what they believe in!’’
Controversially, Damien spent the first part of his career earning good coin in the fossil fuel industry.
HuG 