29th October 2026: The New South Wales Landcare Awards have named this year’s standout New South Wales achievers, recognising the outstanding contributions by locals from across the entire region to support the environment, agriculture and communities.
Held last night as part of the 2026 NSW Landcare & Local Land Services Conference in Corowa on the beautiful Murray River, the awards gala dinner brought together hundreds of landcarers and friends from across the state to celebrate and recognise the individuals, groups and organisations making outstanding contributions to caring for land, water, biodiversity and communities across New South Wales.
These awards stand as a prestigious biennial national program that recognises those involved in landcare who are making outstanding contributions to caring for the environment in their local communities for the benefit of all Australians today, and for generations to come.
Quote attributable to Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish:
“These awards celebrate the incredibly inspirational work of landcarers at a local level, whose dedication creates ripple effects that endure for generations. Landcare thrives because of the commitment of individuals and groups. This year’s winners truly embody the spirit of the landcare movement: practical action, community pride, and a deep commitment to protecting the places we all rely on. Congratulations to all our award recipients, and a sincere thank‑you to every nominee for the vital work you do in your local communities.”
Quote attributable to Landcare NSW CEO, Steve Bunnell:
“It is our great honour to celebrate the 2026 New South Wales Landcare Award finalists, highly commended and winners. Behind every landcarer is a story of challenges, passion, persistence and impact. These awards help us to recognise the extraordinary work happening right across New South Wales in paddocks, waterways, bushlands and communities. Their efforts demonstrate the power of local people and communities working together to care for the places they love and leave an important legacy for future generations.”
Winners of the State & Territory Landcare Award categories will represent New South Wales at the National Landcare Awards to be held in late 2027 in Adelaide, South Australia.
- Australian Government Landcare Innovation Award
- Winner: Michael McCosker
- Australian Government Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Award
- Winner: Rhonda Daly
- Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award
- Winner: Judy Frankenberg
- Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award
- Winner: Bega River and Wetlands Landcare (BRAWL)
- Coastcare Award
- Winner: Far South Coast Landcare Association
- Women in Landcare Award
- Winner: Jocelyn Howden
- Winner: Jocelyn Howden
- Junior Landcare Award
- Winner: Oscar Matthews
- Winner: Oscar Matthews
- NextGen Landcare Award
- Winner: Jed Field
- Winner: Jed Field
- The Gerald Carnie Memorial Award
- Winner: Martin Driver