Had the pleasure of your reading your article- The Prom, last night. Mesmerising.
My partner grew up in Yanakie and I had the opportunity of living there for 3 years. We would often frequent the Prom and I in turn got job down there as an information officer. Such a beautiful place, it really is hard to put into words.
We finally got back over to Victoria this year for Christmas with our kids. We went to the Prom a couple of times and it truly is an amazing place! But it was packed. It was haemorrhaging people. The car parks can’t accommodate the number of people. Vegetation getting trampled on by those that aren’t sticking to designated paths. The campground at Tidal, don’t even get me started on that. I understand everyone wants a piece of the paradise, however, after reading your essay I can’t help but feel similarly to you in relation to the hog deer - are we just bad as them?!
Hi Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay, write this comment and share your thoughts with me.
What an amazing experience it must have been to work down at the Prom, I can't even imagine! It must have been lovely to revisit this year over Christmas. I completely agree with you though in terms of the place at peak times - it's nuts. We have had many a conversation within our extended family about this, questioning our place in it all. And I personally try to avoid those busier times where possible, which is much easier for those living in driving distance.
As you will know from my essay, I feel that introducing young people to these special places is a vital part of creating hope for our future. However, seeing families allow their kids to boogie board down delicate sand dunes, feed wild animals when the information provided clearly says not to (last trip I saw two Mums handing out sakata biscuits to a hoard of kids to feed to a wombat), rubbish, loud music, toilet queues, arghhhh... it's hard to know what the next right step is.
What I do know is that there are many people who care deeply about the Prom and other significant places, and do act responsibly and with care... we're hanging our hats on those people to keep having conversations about these important topics.
Again, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts - whilst I don't have the answers, I'm sure we could talk about this for hours!
Like yourself- I could not wait to take my kids there and show them how magnificent it truly is, but in turn wondering if we should in fact be there.
I think reintroducing the entry fee would be a good start, and rather than it going back in the pool to assist other parks, it should be used for the upkeep of the Prom. And as hard as it would be, somehow capping camp numbers and daily visitors. Having said that, to go down there and then be told “sorry we’re full” I too would be devastated. Much like you though, I don’t have all the answer.
Was just talking to my sister about this on the weekend. We would definitely be on board with capping the numbers on camping and day visitors! Will be interesting to see where they head next once the TR upgrade, etc, is complete. Thanks again for taking the time to comment :)
Loving your Substack Lucinda, thank you!
Had the pleasure of your reading your article- The Prom, last night. Mesmerising.
My partner grew up in Yanakie and I had the opportunity of living there for 3 years. We would often frequent the Prom and I in turn got job down there as an information officer. Such a beautiful place, it really is hard to put into words.
We finally got back over to Victoria this year for Christmas with our kids. We went to the Prom a couple of times and it truly is an amazing place! But it was packed. It was haemorrhaging people. The car parks can’t accommodate the number of people. Vegetation getting trampled on by those that aren’t sticking to designated paths. The campground at Tidal, don’t even get me started on that. I understand everyone wants a piece of the paradise, however, after reading your essay I can’t help but feel similarly to you in relation to the hog deer - are we just bad as them?!
Hi Kate, thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay, write this comment and share your thoughts with me.
What an amazing experience it must have been to work down at the Prom, I can't even imagine! It must have been lovely to revisit this year over Christmas. I completely agree with you though in terms of the place at peak times - it's nuts. We have had many a conversation within our extended family about this, questioning our place in it all. And I personally try to avoid those busier times where possible, which is much easier for those living in driving distance.
As you will know from my essay, I feel that introducing young people to these special places is a vital part of creating hope for our future. However, seeing families allow their kids to boogie board down delicate sand dunes, feed wild animals when the information provided clearly says not to (last trip I saw two Mums handing out sakata biscuits to a hoard of kids to feed to a wombat), rubbish, loud music, toilet queues, arghhhh... it's hard to know what the next right step is.
What I do know is that there are many people who care deeply about the Prom and other significant places, and do act responsibly and with care... we're hanging our hats on those people to keep having conversations about these important topics.
Again, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts - whilst I don't have the answers, I'm sure we could talk about this for hours!
Like yourself- I could not wait to take my kids there and show them how magnificent it truly is, but in turn wondering if we should in fact be there.
I think reintroducing the entry fee would be a good start, and rather than it going back in the pool to assist other parks, it should be used for the upkeep of the Prom. And as hard as it would be, somehow capping camp numbers and daily visitors. Having said that, to go down there and then be told “sorry we’re full” I too would be devastated. Much like you though, I don’t have all the answer.
Thanks again!
Was just talking to my sister about this on the weekend. We would definitely be on board with capping the numbers on camping and day visitors! Will be interesting to see where they head next once the TR upgrade, etc, is complete. Thanks again for taking the time to comment :)