“Becoming involved in this group has opened up a whole new world for my husband and I as they have welcomed us into their beautiful community.”
Vanessa Whelan recently presented at the 2025 National Landcare Conference, in the Community-Driven Landcare stream. Her story was part of a series of presentations that looked at different ways landcare groups strengthen community resilience through partnerships, storytelling and inclusive participation.
After living in Canberra for over 30 years, Vanessa Whelan and her husband made a big leap: they sold the family home, retired, and moved to Fennell Bay on the shores of Lake Macquarie, just south of Newcastle in NSW. They knew nothing about the neighbourhood or its people, but were ready for a new chapter.
On moving day, their new neighbours invited them to morning tea and to meet their local landcare group, a group that cares for the stunning forest that could be seen from the new house — a major reason they bought their new home. What started as apprehension about the unknown quickly turned to joy as they were welcomed into this special landcare community.
Vanessa has recently taken on the role of team leader for this incredible group which brings excitement and challenges – after 24 years of dedication how does she ensure the momentum built remains strong.
Background about the Kooroora Bay Landcare Group
For the past 24 years, this group has met fortnightly, and in that time, they’ve completely transformed an area once plagued by rubbish into a lush, vibrant mini forest teeming with diverse plant life and an abundance of birds. To this day, they still gather regularly, always ending their sessions with a comforting cuppa and one of Helen’s scrumptious morning tea’s.
Some of the original members are now in their 80s/90s and whilst they can’t participate hands-on anymore, they provide valuable feedback and connect with the new members to make sure the forest won’t go back to where it was.
A strong sense of community has developed, with some members first joining after meeting at the local street Christmas party. The area has become one big family, with children growing up together and everyone looking out for one another. The group often rallies together to give each other practical help when they need it. Another member often brings her grandchildren along to join in, adding to the welcoming, multigenerational feel.
When these landcare group members where asked “What does being part of this group mean to you?”, they have shared comments like:
“It’s about feeling connected to the community, having a place where you belong, and ensuring no one ever feels alone,” and “It’s about making lifelong friendships—not just being neighbours, but true friends.”
Side note
Vanessa’s 90-year-old father-in-law (Bert) has recently moved in with them. He continues to produce music programs for the ArtSound FM community radio station in Canberra, which he has been doing for many years. Bert has the largest collection of Gershwin music and paraphernalia in the southern hemisphere and is extremely knowledgeable about movies and music. Bert now attends the landcare group morning tea (they call him the Movie and Music Director) and he has even started up a weekly movie club where he shares classic musicals from the 1930’s onwards. Many of the landcare group members come every week to enjoy the next show put on by Bert.
You can watch Vanessa’s presentation at the 2025 National Landcare Conference on Youtube here. For more information, please visit: www.lakemacquarielandcare.org
Words by Vanessa Whelan | Kooroora Bay Landcare Group
You can read this article and many more insightful and inspiring stories from the landcare community in the latest edition of Landcare in Focus Magazine.