Accessible beach matting dedicated to Port Campbell local

A significant milestone in beach inclusion and accessibility has been marked at Port Campbell with the dedication of accessible beach matting in honour of seven-year-old Goldie Elsum. 

Goldie is a Port Campbell local who lives with a rare neurodevelopmental condition that causes epilepsy and seizures. 

She and other visitors to Port Campbell beach can now enjoy free access to a beach wheelchair, beach walker, accessible beach matting, a portable hoist, accessible parking, and an accessible toilet. 

The Port Campbell Inclusive Beaches Project represents a partnership between local organisations and volunteers committed to making our beaches more accessible to everyone.  

Today the community celebrated the dedication of "Goldie's Way" beach matting. 

Thanks to equipment donations from the former Port Campbell Recreation Reserve Committee, Variety Club, Bega Cheese and existing beach wheelchairs and equipment provided by Parks Victoria and Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, local resident John Wilson has also returned to the beach at Port Campell after 30 years. 

John was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 1983 and has been confined to a wheelchair. 

We roll out accessible beach matting from December through to April at six locations from Torquay to Port Campbell. 

The matting primarily benefits people with mobility challenges, including those who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices, by providing a stable and smooth surface to navigate over uneven and soft sand. The beach matting is also great for parents with prams, elderly community members and people who have an injury. 

Around 1 in 6 (18%) of people in Australia – or about 4.4 million – live with disability.  

Port Campbell Inclusive Beach Project member Brendan Hyland said: 

"Going to the beach is an experience that many of us take for granted, but people with disabilities face real barriers in accessing the beach. The physical and mental health benefits of going to the beach and feeling included are now available for everyone in the region.” 

We’re grateful for everyone’s support in making our beautiful beach more accessible for locals and visitors to Port Campbell. 

We’re proud to come together as a community and make life a bit easier for people with disabilities.” 

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks CEO Jodie Sizer said: 

“Going to the beach is one of Australia’s favourite pastimes and connects us all with our beautiful coastal environment.’ 

Beaches are for everyone, and this event is about celebrating a strong local community working together to make sure people don’t get left behind. 

The program has been so successful that we're now buying beach walkers for Apollo Bay, Lorne and Torquay too. 

We manage more than 240 kilometres of rugged coastline, and we are doing everything we can to have equipment available where people need it most.”