Friends of the Great South West Walk

The friend’s group is an incorporated, not for profit organization and consists of an active and hardworking group of volunteers. An Executive Committee includes the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer, Works Officer, Landcare Co-ordinator and Recreational Walks Officer. Meetings are held monthly with the AGM held in August.

Around 100 volunteers work in excess of 7000 hours a year to maintain the tracks in safe and good walking condition. Activities include regular maintenance of the walking track,  campsites, lookouts staircases and bridges, along with promotion, marketing and administration.

See our Volunteers in action.

Local Support

The friend’s group also relies on the generosity of many local businesses and individuals who are very supportive. The friends have a very co-operative and good working relationship with our local Parks Victoria and rely heavily on their assistance and guidance.

The Friends of the GSWW would like to acknowledge the following sponsors: 

Silver Corporate Sponsors

Bronze Corporate Sponsors:  Get Away Trekking, Nelson Cottages, A2C International, Bindaree Outdoor Education Services, Portland Disposals, South West Adventures – Ramon Francis.

Corporate Complimentary: Julia Street Creative Space, Glenelg River Cruises, Mibus Bros – Portland, Brewster Walsh & Assoc – Portland, Portland Community Garden, Parks Victoria.

Schools:  St. Leonards College Mt Gambier, Brighton Grammar Melbourne, Portland Secondary College, Bayview College – Portland.

Our thanks also to the many Not-For-Profit  community groups and associations that support our efforts.

Land Care Volunteers.

This is a subgroup of volunteers who have been busy working on erosion control measures to arrest the effects of water and wind.

In particular, we would like to acknowledge the support of the teachers and students of Wesley College, Melbourne. The friend’s group and Wesley have co-operated for several years in forming a partnership that has been of mutual benefit to both parties, as well as to the environment.

Become a member of the friends of the GSWW

The Friends of the Great South West Walk is not for profit organisation that is largely self funded.  We depend on members contributions, sales of merchandise, donations and when successful, small business and government grants.  We also gratefully receive from Parks Victoria some financial, technical and administrative assistance.

The friends group has a steadily rising membership, which currently numbers approx. 140 financial members. We greatly appreciate this patronage, and the assistance that we draw on from our pool of volunteers, whose contribution we highly value.
Members choose the level of participation that suits – some members wish to only support us with funds, others like to give up some of their time for work in kind, while others are happy to do both.

Memberships are for the financial year.

Note:  New members please download and complete the membership form below and forward via email.

All members receive a monthly e-newsletter celebrating achievements and upcoming events.

Corporate sponsors are acknowledged on this website.

Annual Friends Membership Fees.
Individual $40
Family membership $60
Concession $25
Bronze Corporate $140
Silver Corporate $1000

Choose your Membership type (below) and pay online…..

All donations and sponsorship will be gratefully accepted.

Please download and complete the membership/donation form above and forward via email to:  [email protected] 

See our Volunteers in action.