Victoria Beale

La Trobe University

SOUTHERN OCEAN PROJECT

Victoria Beale

La Trobe University

SOUTHERN OCEAN PROJECT

Southern Ocean Project: Research Focus

Human-Marine Relations

Offshore Wind Farm Zone

Human-Marine Relations

It is estimated that the ocean is home to between 700,000 and 2.2 million marine animals. Our connection to ocean life is through culture, history, industry, politics, trade, coastal communities and personal narratives.

Climate Change

Offshore Wind Farm Zone

Human-Marine Relations

Future climate change modelling indicates sea-level rises, intensifying ocean storms, changes in wave size and direction, and shoreline erosion in Victoria's South-west coastal region.

Offshore Wind Farm Zone

With the Federal Government ambition to achieve net zero emissions in 2050, an area of 1030 square kilometres of the Southern Ocean has been reserved to develop an offshore wind farm industry in Warrnambool.

Perspectives from our 'three stories' culture

Traditional Owners

Multicultural Communities

Settler Descendants

The ancestors of the Eastern Marr and Western Gunditmjara peoples have cared for land-sea Country for millenia. Recognised as Native Title holders in South-West Victoria, the Traditional Owners are focused on Indigenous citizenry rights, culture and future.

Settler Descendants

Multicultural Communities

Settler Descendants

Settler Edward Henty established the first permanent European presence in Victoria at Portland Bay in 1834. The development of nearby Warrnambool City from 1847 continues to reflect the region's agricultural, farming and blue economy importance.

Multicultural Communities

The Australian Census 2021 reveals that 8.8% of Warrnambool's population was born

overseas with new residents emigrating from Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa.

Southern Ocean Project: Research Information

Southern Ocean Project Research Study

This environmental humanities PhD project is researching Victoria's South-West coastal community perspectives in relation to climate change, the offshore renewable energy industry and human-marine relations. To better understand these Southern Ocean connections and the social licence for the proposed offshore wind farm area, the mixed method study (documentary and written section) aims to analyse these views through an examination of Australia's 'three stories' culture that comprises Traditional Owners, Settler Descendants and Multicultural Communities. The study hopes to contribute to the wider discussion on the social, cultural and economic impacts of Australia's transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Southern Ocean Project TImeframe:

Fieldwork research and interviews: September 2025-December 2026
Further research, editing of documentary and written section: January 2027-May 2028
Thesis completion date: 17 May 2028
Extension Available: Up until 17 February 2029

During the fieldwork period (September 2025-December 2026), the website blog will keep you updated on the progress of this study.

Voluntary Participation and Informed Consent Form

Taking part in this research study is voluntary. After our initial meeting, you can consider whether you want to participate in the Southern Ocean Project. If you decide not to take part in this research, your decision will not affect any future relationship with La Trobe University. If you decide to take part, you will be asked to complete the Informed Consent Form that detail 1) the voluntary nature of your participation 2) the benefit and risks related to your participation 3) your right to opt out of the project within four (4) weeks of any interview and 4) confidentiality protections. In relation to the interview itself, you will be given the choice to participate in an on-camera interview or audio-recorded discussion.

About the Research Team

Lead Researcher: Victoria Beale - BA (French Studies) and MA (Environmental Anthropology)

Vicki's interest in the Southern Ocean started in her undergraduate degree when she researched the history of The Antarctica Treaty. For her Master's Degree, this interest in Southern Ocean relations interrogated the etching of modernity into Antartica's frozen continent and its encircling ocean. The Southern Ocean PhD Project extends this research to Australia's southern rim at a time of climate change, the renewable energy transition and the impact on coastal communities.

Principal Investigator: Dr Ruth Gamble - Deputy Director (Research), La Trobe Asia and Senior Lecturer, History

With 15 years experience in multiple large-scale interdisciplinary research projects with fieldwork components, Ruth's engagement with this PhD project will focus on environmental theory and interdisciplinary pursuits.

Co-Investigator: Dr Brooke Wilmsen - Director of the Master of International Development, Convenor of the Major in Sustainability and Development and Associate Professor, Anthropology

With 20 years of field research using mixed methods, Brooke will support the PhD candidate specifically in relation to focus groups and community dialogue.

Human Ethics Committee Approval

This research project has been reviewed and approved by The La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or concerns about this study, please email humanethics@latrobe.edu.au or phone +61 3 9479 1443 and quote the following number HEC25273.

Southern Ocean Project: Interview Tips

Interview Location

This will be agreed between you and the researcher. It should be a quiet location, preferably carpeted (for better sound quality) and have access to a natural light source. It should be a space where you feel comfortable so maybe at home, at work or in a community space. If this is not possible, then an appropriate venue will be found to conduct the interview.

If you choose to participate in a follow-up interview about your personal Southern Ocean connection, please advise the researcher of your chosen coastal location.

Interview

Seven (7) days before the interview, you will be sent via email (or mail if you prefer) the set list of questions for the interview. If you have any queries in relation to the questions, please feel free to contact the researcher.

If you have a family memento or photograph of your Southern Ocean connection that you wish to share, please bring it along to the interview.

It is recommended that you dress comfortably in solid, muted colours (for example green, blue or purple) as these colours are best for photographs and film. Busy patterns can distract visual attention while bright white or very shiny fabrics will result in reflected light in the camera lens.

It is anticipated that an on-camera interview will take approximately one (1) hour. This allows for setting up the equipment and balancing the light sources for good visuals as well as microphone testing. For audio-recorded interviews, the set-up time frame will be shorter so please allow approximately 30 minutes.

Reflection Post-Interview

You will receive a follow-up call from the researcher three (3) days after the interview. This allows you to provide feedback on the interview process and also gives you the opportunity to add to your commentary on Southern Ocean relations.

Follow-up Interview at your favourite coastal location

Should you wish to share a further story about your Southern Ocean connection, then a further interview will be arranged one (1) month after your initial interview. The timeframe for this 15 minute on-camera piece will be dependent on weather conditions and distance to the location.

Your views do matter! So your participation is really appreciated.

Thanks. Vicki , Ruth and Brooke

Photography Details

Southern Ocean Project - Front Page

White electric windmill. Photograph by Nicholas Doherty 2019 (January 25). Unsplash license.

Southern Ocean Project: Research Focus

Southern Right Whale. Photograph by brettd75 (2023). Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0.
Sunset at Stingray Bay, Warrnambool. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 5).
Energy. Photograph by Theodor Vasile 2020 (January 18). Unsplash License.

Australia's 'three stories' culture

Minnie Perle. (2004). Awelye - Anemangkerr - Bush Melon Dreaming. Acrylic on canvas, 2130 x 1250, LKW private collection, Melbourne.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village and 'Tales of the Shipwreck Coast' Sound and Light Show. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (September 15)
Claire Foxton (2018). Warrnambool Water Tower Art - Hyland Street. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (September 16)

Southern Ocean Project

Sunset at Stingray Bay 2, Warrnambool. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 5).

The wingspan on these beautiful birds has to be seen to be believed. Photograph by Paul Carroll 2019 (March 11). Unsplash License.

Southern Ocean Photo Gallery

Great Ocean Road, Australia. Photograph by Magdalena Love 2019 (August 13). Unsplash License.
a rocky outcropping on the beach with waves coming in. Photograph by Jayne Harris 2021 (November 8). Unsplash License.
12 Apostles, Victoria, Australia. Photograph by Wee Ping Khoo 2020 (August 3). Unsplash License.
A white lighthouse with a red top on a rocky shore. Photograph by Blake Addicott 2025 (January 20). Unsplash License.
Bay of Islands Coastal Park. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 8).
Logans Beach Whale Nursery. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 4).
Australia. Photograph by Johnny 2024 (June 11). Unsplash License.
Bay of Islands Coastal Park 2. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 8).
Looking towards Moyjil/Point Richie. Photograph by Victoria Beale 2025 (January 4).

Southern Ocean Project References

Southern Ocean Project: Research Focus

Appeltans, W., Angel, Martin V., Bailly, N., Barber, A., Bartsch, I., Berta, A., Błażewicz-Paszkowycz, M., Bock, P., Boxshall, G., Boyko, Christopher B., Brandão, Simone N., Bray, Rod A., Bruce, Niel L., Cairns, Stephen D., Chan, T.-Y., Cheng, L., Collins, Allen G., Cribb, T., Curini-Galletti, M., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., De Clerck, O., De Grave, S., de Voogd, Nicole J., Domning, Daryl P., Emig, Christian C., Erséus, C., Eschmeyer, W., Fauchald, K., Fautin, Daphne G., Feist, Stephen W., Fransen, Charles H. J. M., Garcia-Alvarez, O., Gerken, S., Gibson, D., Gittenberger, A., Gofas, S., Gómez-Daglio, L., Guiry, Michael D., Hernandez, F., Hoeksema, Bert W., Jaume, D., Koedam, N., Koenemann, S., Kolb, Jürgen B., Kristensen, Reinhardt M., Kroh, A., Lemaitre, R., Longshaw, M., Lowry, J., Macpherson, E., Mah, C., McLaughlin, Patsy A., Mees, J., Messing, Charles G., Mills, Claudia E., Molodtsova, Tina N., Mooi, R., Neuhaus, B., Nielsen, C., Norenburg, J., Opresko, Dennis M., Osawa, M., Paulay, G., Perrin, W., Pilger, John F., Poore, Gary C. B., Pugh, P., Read, Geoffrey B., Reimer, James D., Rius, M., Rocha, Rosana M., Saiz-Salinas, José I., Scarabino, V., Schierwater, B., Schnabel, Kareen E., Schotte, M., Schuchert, P., Segers, H., Shenkar, N., Siegel, V., Sterrer, W., Stöhr, S., Swalla, B., Tasker, Mark L., Thuesen, Erik V., Timm, T., Todaro, M. A., Turon, X., Tyler, S., Uetz, P., van der Land, J., Vanhoorne, B., van Ofwegen, Leen P., van Soest, Rob W. M., Vanaverbeke, J., Walker-Smith, G., Walter, T. C., Williams, Gary C., Wilson, Simon P., & Costello, Mark J. (2012). The Magnitude of Global Marine Species Diversity. Current Biology, 22(23), 2189-2202.
Mora, C., Tittensor, DP, Adl, S, Simpson, AGB & Worm B. (2011). How many species are there on Earth and in the Ocean? PLOS Biology, 9(8), 1-8.
State of Victoria. (2023). Victoria’s Resilient Coast - Adapting for 2100+. https://www.marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/662503/Victorias-Resilient-Coast-Guidelines-.pdf.
Leach, C., Kennedy, D. M., Carvalho, R. C., & Ierodiaconou, D. (2020). Predicting compartment-scale climate change impacts related to southern ocean wave forcing: Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, 95(SI), 1157-1161
Australian Government.. (2024). Southern Ocean region off Victoria, declared offshore wind area. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/offshore-wind/areas/southern-ocean-region.

Australia's 'Three Stories' Culture

Wallace, B. (2005). Naming Victoria's south west [Paper in: Victorian Place Names Issue.]. Victorian Historical Journal, 76(2), 147-164.
Melbourne Graduate School of Education. (n.d.). Warrnambool’s History. https://makingfutures.net/schools-and-communities/warrnambool/warrnambools-history/
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Regional Summary: Warrnambool (Australiain Census 2021). https://dbr.abs.gov.au/region.html?lyr=sa3&rgn=21704 jkl

Southern Ocean Project: Informed Consent

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 5.1.6 (2025)

About the Research Team

Australian Hydrographic Office. (2020). Names and limits of oceans and seas surrounding Australia. Fact Sheet: Hydrographic Surveying, Department of Defence. <https://www.hydro.gov.au/factsheets/FS_Hydrographic_Surveying-Limits_of_oceans_and_seas_around_Aus.pdf>.

SOUTHERN OCEAN PROJECT

SOUTHERN OCEAN PROJECT