1 AUGUST 2022: Landcarers across Australia are abuzz with the complete list of finalists for the 2022 Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award announced today.

Ranging from the ACT’s passionate river protector Deb Kellock to Tasmania’s lifelong ecological restoration practitioner Tod Dudley, each state and territory’s top landcarer will converge on Sydney for the winner’s announcement at the 2022 National Landcare Awards in August.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said he was thrilled to see this years’ finalists ongoing commitment to landcare and the significant impact their work has had on their local communities.

“In these challenging times it is fantastic to see dedicated landcarers like these eight finalists continuing to achieve so much for our environment through landcare,” said Dr Norrish.

“Their collective success showcases the breadth of landcare work being done across the country to combat climate change, protect our waterways, build community resilience, and so much more.

“These are landcare leaders who go above and beyond in caring for our land and supporting our communities. Strong leaders must be recognised and celebrated, and this is exactly what the Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award does.

Minister for Agriculture, Senator Murray Watt, said the Australian Government was impressed by the calibre of candidates for the award this year and congratulated the nominees on their efforts.

“These past years have been incredibly difficult for all Australians, but each one of these Individual award finalists has overcome the challenges and continued to deliver for our communities and environment,” said Minister Watt.

“Their unwavering commitment to landcare and to bringing communities together to give back to the environment is a testament to the strength, resilience and mateship of the tens of thousands of landcarers across Australia.”

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The full list of finalists includes:

ACT: Deb Kellock

Deb Kellock has worked across the Landcare and Waterwatch space for 20 years and has always gone the extra mile for the land and rivers she cares deeply about. In 2001 she became a volunteer with Parkcarers of Southern Murrumbidgee, putting in around 1,000 hours of her time, cutting and spraying weeds, controlling erosion and planting native species. She has also served as the Waterwatch Coordinator with Molonglo Catchment Group for over six years.

NSW: Julie Holstegge

Despite many obstacles being thrown her way, Landcare hero Julie Holstegge has volunteered thousands of hours of her time, planted thousands of trees, engaged local farmers in landcare, transformed ‘kikuyu drains & paddocks ‘ to biodiversity hotspots, and continues to build on her amazing sustainable legacy.

VIC: Don Rowe

An active leader and role model since the inception of Upper Hopkins Land Management Group in 1991, Don Rowe’s can-do attitude towards mitigating and adapting to climate change has inspired his local community and Landcare group. Practicing what he preaches, Don’s own property also showcases landcare farming at its best, by incorporating sustainable production and ecological benefits.

TAS: Todd Dudley

Involved in Landcare activities in Tasmania since 1991, Todd Dudley has been a lifelong bush regenerator and ecological restoration practitioner. Todd was was responsible for the establishment of both the North East Bioregional Network and the North East Tasmania Land Trust and has facilitated the protection of land and the undertaking of landscape scale restoration projects.

SA: Liz Milner

A dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate landcarer, Liz Rowe produces outstanding biodiversity and community engagement outcomes through Landcare activities in her local Mount Lofty Ranges. As one of the most highly regarded volunteers in the region, Liz’s undertakes remarkable bushcare work that spans over 1,464 ha of high quality native bushland and all while engaging, encouraging and inspiring the community.

WA: Margaret Moir

Margaret Moir has been undertaking significant conservation work in the Margaret River area since the early 90s. A founding member and former President and Treasurer of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, Margaret’s focus on river restoration of the Margaret River has played a major role in river care becoming a mainstream issue in the region. She is the author of Woody Weeds of the Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin Region, with plans to release a companion publication on non-woody weeds in future.

NT: Doris Baylis

Doris Baylis has been involved in many Landcare activities both on Mataranka Station (which she manages with her husband) and in the Katherine and Mataranka region. A firm believer in a whole-of-community approach, Doris engages with the community through her role as secretary for the Roper River Landcare Group, as member of the volunteer fire brigade, and as host to Charles Darwin University Students as a part of the Northern Australia Field Intensive.

QLD: Walter Mayr

Walter Mayr has been a dedicated Landcarer for over 40 years, is the co-ordinator of Austinville Landcare and the current President Watergum which, the umbrella Group for Landcare groups in the Gold Coast Region. Since the 1970’s Walt and his wife have restored their remote 25ha degraded property back to its original rainforest habitat and have protected the land in perpetuity as a Nature Refuge.

28.07.2022: Next week Landcarers will come together to celebrate the diversity of landcare people and projects across Australia for 2022 Landcare Week (August 1-7).

With many recently struggling through drought, bushfires and floods, Landcare Week is giving landcarers the opportunity to stand united, support one another and commemorate their fantastic landcare achievements, including how landcare brings together Australians from all walks of life to take action for our communities and environment.

Landcare advocate and ABC TV presenter Costa Georgiadis said that he was thrilled Landcare Week was shining a spotlight on diversity in landcare and the inclusivity of Australia’s landcare movement.

“I am always so excited to be involved in landcare activities. The awesome work of landcarers has never been more important,” said Mr Georgiadis.

“Landcare is all about working together and including everyone, no matter where you are, in a shared vision of restoring, regenerating and protecting the environment. Anyone can get involved and is welcomed in landcare, and that’s what makes it so special and diverse.

“Participating in landcare is a privilege I deeply respect, and I enjoy every chance I get to amplify the great work that is going on across Australia.”

Throughout the week, the landcare community will be celebrating their work and people both in person and online. Landcare CEO Dr Shane Norrish said that he was excited to see the range of stories and events in celebration of Landcare Week across the country, and hoped it would encourage more people to join Australia’s thriving landcare movement.

“From the coast to the country, and from urban cities to the outback, landcare’s greatest asset is committed people, and there’s nothing I love to see more than diverse communities forming and coming together through landcare,” said Dr Norrish.

“Diversity is what makes landcare so successful- it allows us to take on innovative projects and find creative solutions to overcome challenges. I couldn’t be more proud to be involved in such a diverse and inclusive movement, and can’t wait to read some of the fantastic success stories that are shared this Landcare Week.

“Landcare is also so much more than taking action for our environment, it’s about bringing people together, building resilience and working toward a common goal. With such a range of work going on across Australia, this is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on every aspect of landcare, the outstanding community and environmental impacts of landcare activities, and inspire more people to get involved.”

Following the Landcare Week celebrations, landcarers will come together in person for the first time in four years to attend the 2022 National Landcare Conference and Awards from 23-25 August at the International Convention Centre Darling Harbour, Sydney.

For more information on Landcare Week activities in your area, find and contact your local landcare group using the National Landcare Directory.

For more information on the 2022 National Landcare Conference please visit: nationallandcareconference.org.au

About Landcare Week:

Landcare Week is an annual celebration of landcare during the first week of August that acknowledges the Australians who are actively restoring, enhancing and protecting the natural environment in their community. The theme for Landcare Week 2022 is Celebrating Landcare Diversity, with landcare groups across Australia coming together in person and online to commemorate their fantastic landcare achievements and the diverse range of people that make up Australia’s landcare movement.

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21 July: With Australia’s environment rapidly deteriorating, Landcare is needed more now than ever. Building on the momentum of young leaders who have turned their passion and concern for the planet into meaningful action, Intrepid Landcare and Junior Landcare Ambassador Costa Georgiadis are joining forces for a high impact online forum on 23 August to empower young people eager to take action and connect with like-minded youth.

Designed for senior primary school students, high school students and youth groups aged 18 or under, the NextGen Landcare Youth Online Forum will provide access to practical tools, resources, knowledge and support from Intrepid Landcare. It will feature talks from inspiring young speakers, ranging from high school students to community volunteer leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs.

“Young people are keen and ready to take action in their communities and environments but they sometimes lack the know-how and/or the confidence to do so. We need to meet them where they are at, engage them, become more available to them and be more conscious of their need to act,” said young freelance wildlife photographer and passionate conservationist Jayden Gunn, who will be speaking at the forum.

“As a young person who utilised a Landcare pathway to its utmost potential to prepare myself professionally for employment in the conservation and land management industry, I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to share my journey, and hope to inspire other young people to actively engage in and expand their capacity through the opportunities and experience Landcare provides.”

After researching the needs of young people and Landcare networks to engage the youth demographic and bringing their lived experience in innovating youth engagement initiatives, Intrepid Landcare was co-founded in 2015 to drive a national campaign of youth action. Underpinned by an ethos of ‘think global, act local’ Intrepid Landcare connects young people to their local landcare community and environment where they co-create projects, adventures and experiences that they want to show up to, and address the issues that are pressing and important for that landscape.

“As the Australia State of the Environment 2021 Report drove home this week, our environment is in crisis. Young people play a vital role in caring for the land, their environment and other natural resources, and we couldn’t be more excited to learn from and share with young people the opportunities that exist to move from being overwhelmed to feeling empowered when it comes to landcare,” said Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish.

Young people aged 18 and under are invited to submit an expression of interest to share their story or project at the forum. Each story chosen will receive a $500 cash contribution. Expression of interests to be submitted by 5pm July 29, 2022, here.

The NextGen Landcare Youth Forum will be hosted online on Tuesday 23 August from 10.30am – 2pm AEST, 2022. More info or register.

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19 July 2022: Today’s 2021 State of the Environment Report highlights the deteriorating health of Australia’s environment, as well as the impacts it is having on communities across Australia. Landcare Australia Chair, Doug Humann AM says he is devastated by the report’s findings, but sees hope if the right investment is made.

Please see statement below from Doug Humann AM, Chair of Landcare Australia:

The 2021 State of the Environment Report recognises what Landcarers across Australia see on the ground every day: our environment is in crisis. Climate change is compounding the already significant damage to our land, water, waterways and coasts from threats including introduced species, pollution and land clearing.

It is clear from this report that with a changing climate leading to an increase in natural disasters, landcare has never been more important. Meaningful action must be taken to enhance and conserve our environment, and taking a holistic approach is crucial. As is emphasised in the report, we need to work together to facilitate new partnerships and innovations, and listen and learn from the expertise of First Nations Australians who have been caring for our lands and seas for countless generations.

Forming effective partnerships is what Landcare Australia does best. We have a proven track record of helping to partner our large number of active groups with business, researchers, natural resource management agencies, communities, Traditional Owners and all levels of government, building local ownership of issues and unlocking volunteer knowledge, capability and capacity.

As highlighted in the report, landcare funding has been progressively cut since 2010. Increasing investment in landcare is critical to support innovative landcare-led partnerships that benefit the environment, landscape and biodiversity as well as our communities and personal wellbeing.

Landcarers are on the front lines of critical conservation and land management projects across Australia. We know that with increased support, the more than 5,000 landcare groups and 100,000 landcare volunteers across the country have the capacity to grow and expand their work, and Landcare Australia will be well placed to aid them in their ongoing success.

To say this report is crushing is an understatement- but with a proven track record of over 30 years of significant, successful sustainable land management and environmental projects, I am confident that Landcare Australia and landcarers across the country will stand united and rise to the challenge.

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 19 July 2022:

Three leading experts in soil health have today been announced as finalists for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.

The prestigious Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others to do likewise. It is open to any individual farmer, land manager, extension specialist or educator who is helping improve soil health in Australia.

The Award was established by the Office of the National Soils Advocate in 2020 to honour and perpetuate the memory of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award is presented biennially alongside the National Landcare Awards. The Award includes a trophy and a $20,000 cash prize for recipients to continue their work.

The 2022 Award will be presented at the Awards Gala Dinner during the National Landcare Conference in Sydney on Wednesday 24 August 2022.

Finalists for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award are:

Roger Groocock from South Australia: Roger is an innovative farmer who has dedicated more than 40 years to pioneering soil amelioration techniques that have improved the health and productivity of many tens of thousands of hectares of sandy soils across southern and western Australia. Considered to be an early adopter of technology and a leader in soil modification processes, Roger has worked tirelessly to design, test and measure the long-term effects of a range of soil amelioration techniques, including clay spreading, deep ripping, delving, inversion and spading. Committed to sharing knowledge, Roger has hosted numerous on-farm research trials and crop walks, and has built a community of practice that shares the latest knowledge and new ideas to ensure on-ground change.

Dr Oliver Knox from NSW: Oliver is a researcher in cotton farming and soil health who has developed and delivered numerous field workshops to the cotton production areas of Australia. In 2014 he reintroduced soil biology into the University of New England undergraduate syllabus, and since 2018, he has driven the Soil Your Undies soil health program in Australia – initially using it as an educational tool with farmers, but with COVID restrictions, the program was adapted to a postal and online citizen science challenge. Coverage of the program is thought to have brought the concept of soil health to an audience of over half a million Australians, and educated an estimated 12,000 school children in soil health.

Prof John McLean Bennett from Queensland: John is a dedicated soil health advocate and educator who, in becoming a soil scientist himself, recognised the lack of soil science capability development to serve Australian industry. John served in leadership roles at Soil Science Australia for nine years, and established the Training Board and conceived the Recognised Soil Practitioner as a means to provide professional development in soil management. Through leading the soil science teaching capability and capacity review for the Australian Soil Network, he also identified the need for specialist soil services to be developed. In 2021, John co-founded The Soil Company to work directly with farmers on the development of soil health management plans.

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award is initiated and sponsored by the Office of the National Soils Advocate and is administered by Landcare Australia.

For more information and to register for the National Landcare Conference or attend the National Landcare Awards gala dinner, visit https://nationallandcareconference.org.au/

To read more about the finalists and for more information on the General Jeffery Soil Health Award, visit http://generaljefferyaward.com.au/

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