Key points
Anyone Can Do It: Advocacy doesn’t require money, special equipment, or specific attire. Anyone can participate and fit it into their schedule.
Empowering: Advocacy can make you feel like you’re making a difference. Remember, the government works for you.
Be respectful: A well articulated respectful message may get through.
Persistence: Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay committed and patient.
New Tools: The internet and modern communication platforms, such as social media, make it easier to voice your concerns. However, they might be taken less seriously compared to traditional methods like snail mail, which can have a bigger impact.
What is advocacy
Advocacy is the act of supporting or arguing for a cause, policy, or group of people. It involves various activities aimed at influencing decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Here are some key aspects of advocacy:
- Raising Awareness: Educating the public and stakeholders about important issues.
- Influencing Policy: Working to change or create policies that benefit a particular cause or group.
- Mobilizing Support: Encouraging people to take action, such as signing petitions, attending rallies, or contacting their representatives.
- Building Alliances: Forming partnerships with other organizations or groups to strengthen the advocacy effort.
- Providing a Voice: Representing those who may not have the means or opportunity to speak for themselves.
Advocacy can be done by individuals, groups, or organizations and can take many forms, from grassroots campaigns to lobbying efforts. It’s all about making a positive impact and driving change.
What are some options down here
Social media – these are some of the well subscribed Facebook groups in the area – facebook seems the most popular site.
- Apollo Bay Forum
- Apollo Bay Community
- Apollo Bay Village Green
- Otway Community News
- and US Southern Otways Sustainable
Start an online petition – change.org
Contact your representatives
- Colac Otways shire here https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Home – send them and email and ask them to send it to all councillors
- Victorian parliament – you can find your state member via your postcode here https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/
- Australian Federal Parliament- you can find your federal member via your postcode here https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/members
Go old school – put posters up in your school, your library, the coffee shop etc
Join a group that fits with your concerns – here are a couple we recommend
OCEAN Ocean.org.au
Climate Action Team climateactionteam.org.au
