Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation won the Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award last night at the 2018 National Landcare Awards, which were held at the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre.

This award recognises an innovative partnership of individuals, groups or organisations that have demonstrated leadership and achievement in Landcare related activities because of the partnership. The award was presented by former Governor-General Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery.

Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation represents the Wurundjeri people, the Indigenous owners of the historical property “Coranderrk” in the Yarra Valley. Set up as an Aboriginal Reserve in 1863, Coranderrk closed in 1924. In 1999, the Indigenous Land Corporation purchased 80 hectares of the property, handing it to the Wandoon Estate. This purchase included the last remaining building on site.

Through partnerships with Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, Wurundjeri Council’s Narrap Team, Yarra4Life project and its partners, Melbourne Water, and volunteer group – Friends of Coranderrk, Wandoon Estate’s sustainable farming practices have delivered productive beef cattle grazing, habitat restoration, and waterway management and protection. Coranderrk’s value extends beyond being a working farm, it’s an important habitat for native fauna, and as a place to bring Wurundjeri people together on country.

Jacqui Wandin was surprised to receive this award and accepted it on behalf of the Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation. She said, “We are really proud to receive this award because we’ve spent years and years trying to improve the property and it’s really nice to be acknowledged. We believe it’s just our inherent responsibility to look after our property.”

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended the National Landcare winners on their outstanding accomplishments.

“It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions,” Shane says. “The national Landcare awards offers landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the community. Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and praised”.

Winners across nine diverse categories from sustainable farm practices to Junior Landcare, were announced at the National Awards gala dinner last night, which was emceed by ABC Landline host, Pip Courtney.

The National Landcare Awards are part of this year’s three-day National Landcare Conference, which finishes today, 12 October 2018. The conference provides the Landcare community an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share knowledge. For more information on the National Conference and Awards go to
nationallandcareconference.org.au.

All finalists case studies and photos by category are available at nationallandcareconference.org.au/awards.
The National Landcare Awards is delivered by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network in partnership with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Kathleen Brack, regional Landcare program officer for the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) took out the Austcover National Young Landcare Leader Award last night at the 2018 National Landcare Awards which were held at the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre.

This award recognises an individual between the ages of 15 and 35 who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to improving land management practices through practical action or creating community awareness.

After just three years in the role Kathleen has changed the way the Landcare story is being told in the region. She has created new messages and found innovative ways of engaging with her community.

Keen to attract more young people to Landcare, Kathleen ran an Intrepid Landcare Retreat at Wilsons Promontory for 20 people aged 18 to 35. She targeted younger people through her effective use of technology and social media, including using Facebook to create an online network of young people interested in Landcare in West Gippsland, where followers are able to share job opportunities, information on relevant field days, and feature case studies highlighting their concerns and barriers to adaption.

With the aim of explaining the social and community benefits of Landcare, Kathleen recently conducted a social return on investment study on a Merriman Creek Landcare Group project. This study found that for every dollar spent on a Landcare project, there is at least a $3.41 return in social value.

As part of her role as a project officer for the South Gippsland Landcare Network, she has also managed and inspired Landcare groups, including being a driving force in the creation of the South Gippsland Equine Landcare Group. She assisted in consulting with the community on the type of support horse owners in South Gippsland would prefer, empowering the public to take on the group.

The list of her achievements benefitting the local Landcare community is vast and she is an impressive role model and a true young Landcare leader. Kathleen said, “Landcare is such an amazing grass roots movement and I’m thrilled to receive this award.”

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended the National Landcare winners on their outstanding achievements.
“It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions,” Shane says. “The national Landcare awards offers landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the community. Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and praised”.

Winners across nine diverse categories from sustainable farm practices to Junior Landcare, were announced at the National Awards gala dinner last night, which was emceed by ABC Landline host, Pip Courtney.

The National Landcare Awards are part of this year’s three-day National Landcare Conference, which finishes today, 12 October 2018. The conference provides the Landcare community an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share knowledge. For more information on the National Conference and Awards go to nationallandcareconference.org.au.

All finalists case studies and photos by category are available at nationallandcareconference.org.au/awards.
The National Landcare Awards is delivered by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network in partnership with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

BirdLife Australia Gluepot Reserve took out the Fairfax Media Landcare Community Group Award last night at the 2018 National Landcare Awards which were held at the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre.

This award celebrates an outstanding community group that is working towards sustainable land use or is undertaking on-ground action to protect, enhance or restore an area on behalf of the community.

BirdLife Australia Gluepot Reserve is Australia’s largest community managed and operated conservation reserve. Situated 64 km from the River Murray in South Australia’s Riverland, the reserve is managed and operated entirely by volunteers. Some 54,000 hectares in size, it is home to 22 nationally threatened species of birds, 53 species of reptiles and 12 species of bats, some of which are nationally threatened.

By successfully combining the elements of biodiversity conservation and enhancement through land management, scientific research and monitoring, environmental education and sustainable ecotourism, Gluepot Reserve has taken conservation management into a new era. The Reserve is providing an international model to show that sustainable use of the landscape is both feasible and desirable.

Duncan MacKenzie was excited to receive the award on behalf of Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve. “It’s an honour to be receiving this award, and it’s really encouraging to know that our work is being recognised by the Landcare community.”
Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended the National Landcare winners on their outstanding accomplishments.

“It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions,” Shane says. “The national Landcare awards offers landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the community. Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and praised”.

Winners across nine diverse categories from sustainable farm practices to Junior Landcare, were announced at the National Awards gala dinner last night, which was emceed by ABC Landline host, Pip Courtney.

The National Landcare Awards are part of this year’s three-day National Landcare Conference, which finishes today, 12 October 2018. The conference provides the Landcare community an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share knowledge. For more information on the National Conference and Awards go to
nationallandcareconference.org.au.

All finalists case studies and photos by category are available at nationallandcareconference.org.au/awards.

Spinifex Land Management took out the Rio Tinto Indigenous Land Management Award last night at the 2018 National Landcare Awards which were held at the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre.

This award recognises an outstanding Indigenous community group or individual that is working towards improving land use or enhancing or protecting an area on behalf of the community.

The Spinifex Land Management Program is a collaboration between an Indigenous ranger team and the local community to provide direction, technical support and resources in the management of the northern fringes of the Nullarbor Plain and deep within the Great Victoria Desert.

Based in Tjuntjuntjara, the second most remote community in Australia, patrolling the region is a logistical feat and an adventure on country requiring careful planning to ensure appropriate cultural and ecological outcomes and the safety of participants. Spinifex Land Management’s Healthy Country Plan currently overseas nine key projects including; reducing the threats of buffel grass, camels, altered fire regimes, and introduced predators.

Ian Baird was delighted to accept the award on behalf of Spinifex Land Management. He said, “Receiving this award is an amazing honour for us. We just manage the land our people have taken care of for thousands of years. It’s a huge area between Kalgoorlie and the Nullarbor, so very challenging, but also very rewarding.”

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended the National Landcare winners on their outstanding accomplishments.

“It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions,” Shane says. “The national Landcare awards offers landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the community. Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and praised”.

Winners across nine diverse categories from sustainable farm practices to Junior Landcare, were announced at the National Awards gala dinner last night, which was emceed by ABC Landline host, Pip Courtney.

The National Landcare Awards are part of this year’s three-day National Landcare Conference, which finishes today, 12 October 2018. The conference provides the Landcare community an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share knowledge. For more information on the National Conference and Awards go to nationallandcareconference.org.au
All finalists case studies and photos by category are available at nationallandcareconference.org.au/awards.

The National Landcare Awards is delivered by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network in partnership with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

The Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group won the Sure Gro Tree Max Coastcare Award last night at the 2018 National Landcare Awards which were held at the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre.

This award recognises a community group or network that has demonstrated excellence in activities that have contributed to the significant improvement of local coastal and/or marine environments, including estuaries, coastal and marine wetlands and salt marsh ecosystems.

Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group aims to protect and rehabilitate saltmarsh areas, with a focus on reconnecting waterways. The Murray Mouth Estuary Restoration Project has been the Group’s major restoration project since 2001. Seventeen years later, 500,000 plants have been planted on over 100 sites. The Group has also coordinated woody weed control and used roadside plantings to improve the development of corridors, particularly in areas adjacent to the Murray Mouth.

Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group’s work in increasing habitat connectivity, propagating local species, and mitigating erosion via fencing and strategic plantings has achieved long-term benefits for local flora, fauna, native fish, and invertebrates.
The Group’s revegetation experience has led to SA’s Department for Environment and Water calling on the group to assist in the selection of plant species for commercial planting sites near the Murray Mouth.

Richard Owen was excited to accept the award on behalf of Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group. He said, “The quality and diversity of projects across this category was very high and we are rapt to be signalled out to receive this award.”

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, commended the National Landcare winners on their outstanding accomplishments.

“It’s an honour to be able to recognise the great work being carried out by our Landcare champions,” Shane says. “The national Landcare awards offers landcarers the ideal opportunity to get together and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the community. Landcarers across Australia deserve to be acknowledged and praised”.

Winners across nine diverse categories from sustainable farm practices to Junior Landcare, were announced at the National Awards gala dinner last night, which was emceed by ABC Landline host, Pip Courtney.

The National Landcare Awards are part of this year’s three-day National Landcare Conference, which finishes today, 12 October 2018. The conference provides the Landcare community an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and share knowledge. For more information on the National Conference and Awards go to
nationallandcareconference.org.au.

All finalists case studies and photos by category are available at nationallandcareconference.org.au/awards.
The National Landcare Awards is delivered by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network in partnership with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.