Signs of the times in Jan Juc

A VOLUNTEER group recently finished a project to make a well-trodden Surf Coast Walk more interesting and informative for visitors.

With the help of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s (GORCC) Coastal Grants Program, Jan Juc Coast Action (JJCA) has installed various signs on top of Jan Juc cliffs.

The signs display photos of what the clifftops once looked like, highlighting the immense changes they have undergone in past decades.

JJCA volunteer Luke Hynes has been heavily involved in organising the instalment of the signs.

Mr Hynes said he was excited to have the project complete, with JJCA having conceived the idea about four years ago.

“We’ve had these before and after photos that we’ve showed whenever we’ve talked to groups or done a presentation. Locals and tourists alike were always blown away when they see them and realise the change has been so massive.

“So, we thought a great way to show these would be to have the before photos in the places where they were taken.”

The grant from GORRC enabled JJCA to have four signs designed and printed.

Mr Hynes said the signs also demonstrate how much volunteer work has been done to improve the health of the surrounding environment.

“Something we would always say is that in a way the groups biggest success is people don’t realise that any work has been done.

“People think ‘Look at this beautiful track, it’s just been carved into the native vegetation’, whereas that’s really been the result of thousands of hours of volunteer work from our group and other volunteer groups.”

JJCA holds working bees on the first Sunday of each month and is always open to new members.

People interesting in learning more about JJCA or becoming a member can head to the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/JanJucCoastAction, or phone Mr Hynes on 0406 113 438.