Ivanhoe Central School in NSW wins 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award

25 August 2022 | Excitement soared at the National Landcare Awards last night when the winner was announced for the 2022 Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award, with Ivanhoe Central School in NSW taking home the top spot.

The small, remote school in far west NSW was one of seven finalists in the running for the award, which recognises a school, youth organisation or young community landcare team that is implementing landcare practices within the local community or school.

Through the school’s successful ‘Outback Adventure Farm’ project, which encompasses sustainable living and healthy food choices, students have been able to grow a connection to food, along with the responsibility of looking after their own garden.

Students have also been encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the farm from basic planting and picking at kindergarten level to more advanced mathematical equations, solutions, nutrition and building associated with running any farm enterprise.

Since launching in 2020, the Outback Adventure Farm has expanded due to the students’ continued desire to learn more, understand and participate, with growing a farm from bare ground enabling the students and wider community to see what can be achieved when working as a team.

“Our Outback Adventure Farm is about sustainability, literacy, numeracy and supporting our wider community with high quality organic produce,” said Greg Edwards, Principal of Ivanhoe Central School. “It’s affirming to be recognised for all the hard work that has gone into our farm.”

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish applauded the project as a terrific example of how to win the hearts and minds of students.

“From teaching students about pest reduction and planting to the introduction of the native yabbies with their aquaponics system, Ivanhoe Central School exemplifies the mission of the Junior Landcare program to empower children to play an active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment and local communities,” he said.

According to Loretta Arrastia, Community Programs Manager – Woolworths Supermarkets, sponsor of the award: “We couldn’t be prouder to support this new generation of environmental champions who are finding creative ways to make a sustainable impact in their schools and communities. Congratulations Ivanhoe Central School – we look forward to seeing your project continue to grow and inspire others to start their own!”

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Australian Association of Bush Regenerators wins Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award 

25 August 2022 | The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) was announced winner of the Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award held at the prestigious National Landcare Awards in Sydney last night.

One of eight finalists in the running for the award, the AABR was recognised for its outstanding efforts around its First Aid for Burned Bushland (FABB) initiative. Supported by a range of sponsors, the AABR developed resources, including a series of engaging videos and webinars, to provide guidance for assisting in the recovery of bushland post fire. The resources address a range of topics from assessing priorities for post-fire bush regeneration to techniques commonly used by bush regenerators for controlling weeds after fire.

“Many ecosystems across Australia were severely impacted from the 2019-20 bushfires due to the effects of a drying climate. While extensive areas of vegetation are recovering well, others remain in trouble,” explained Peter Dixon, President of the AABR, which promotes the study and practice of ecological restoration, and fosters and encourages effective management of natural areas based on sound ecological principles.

“Being nominated for this award has reaffirmed our contention that Landcare groups play a critical role in managing Australia’s ecosystems and can undertake very technical and complex projects,” he added.

“Our secret to success in forging partnerships can be put down in great part to engaging with people and groups in a way that recognises their knowledge and intelligence, trying to understand their needs while we communicate ours, and recognising that in a partnership, everyone is important,’ said Peter.

Minister for Agriculture Senator Murray Watt applauded the efforts and initiative of the AABR.

“The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators have highlighted the range of ways we can support one another when it comes to taking timely and meaningful action to restore and care for our local environments,” Minister Watt said.

“With the impact of a changing climate, extending knowledge around ecological restoration and engaging others to ensure our bushland recovers well, and is resilient in the face of future threats, have never been so important. By working together, we can ensure our natural assets are effectively managed and protected for generations to come.”

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25 August 2022 | Leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, Dr Oliver Knox, has been announced as the recipient of the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award for his outstanding efforts to embed learning and understanding of soil health – from the field to the classroom.

 Named in honour of Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, the late Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), the Award recognises an individual’s work to champion, improve and/or educate others in soil health.

Dr Knox is an Associate Professor in Soil Systems Biology in the School of Rural and Environmental Sciences at the University of New England (UNE), where he reintroduced soil biology into the undergraduate syllabus in 2014.

As the CottonInfo technical lead in soil health since 2016, he has developed and delivered field workshops to land managers in the cotton production areas of Australia. He has also written numerous industry articles on soil health and land management, which have included how to access soil resources in NSW and Queensland.

Dr Knox has been instrumental in driving the Soil Your Undies soil health program in Australia. Adapting the idea from an educational campaign for farmers in Canada, Dr Knox brought the program to Australia and modified it to a postal and online citizen science challenge.

In the past two years, it has been undertaken in around 500 classrooms, educating an estimated 12,000 school children in soil health. Dr Knox intends to use the General Jeffery Soil Health Award to build on the success of the Soil Your Undies campaign.

Australia’s National Soils Advocate, the Honourable Penny Wensley AC, announced the recipient of the 2022 Award at the National Landcare Awards held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney last night (24 August).

“As Australia’s National Soils Advocate, I am very pleased to acknowledge Dr Knox’s work and through this $20,000 Award, support his continued education and engagement with the future guardians of Australia’s soil.

“General Jeffery attached particular importance to educating young people about soil and the multiple services healthy soils provide to the community, so he would be very pleased with this decision.

“With the recently-released 2021 State of the Environment report highlighting how the health of Australia’s soils continues to decline, the work of soil researchers, educators and champions like Dr Knox, has become even more important,” Penny Wensley said.

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

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Sylvia Leighton and Peter McKenzie win 2022 Australian Government Landcare Farming Award

25 AUGUST: Dynamic sustainable farming duo Sylvia Leighton and Peter McKenzie were awarded the 2022 Australian Government Landcare Farming award last night for their work on Wilyun Pools Farm, a 1214ha property near Wellstead on the south coast of Western Australia.

Using their wealth of scientific knowledge and experience in biology, ecology, community landcare and soil science, Sylvia and Peter have transformed Wilyun Pools Farm into locally recognised haven for biodiversity. The highly productive farm now boasts thriving wildlife corridors connecting to the remnant bush comprised of Kwongan shrubland, Swamp banksia, and Yate woodland communities.

“We’re humbled to receive the 2022 Australian Government Landcare Farming award for our work on Wilyun Pools Farm and hope that it inspires others to take action on their own patch,” Sylvia said.

“Wilyun Pools Farm is a testament to our whole community including Landcare WA, Southcoast NRM, Green Skills and the Noongar Elders, who have supported our work to restore health to this precious, biodiverse part of the planet.

“Revegetating Wilyun Pools Farm has taught us how much easier it has become to farm sustainably- if we can do it, others can do it too! It’s exciting to be in a new chapter for agriculture where being ecologically friendly is commercially valuable and commercially relevant.”

Minister for Agriculture Senator Murray Watt congratulated Sylvia and Peter on their achievements on Wilyun Pools Farm, saying they were paving the way for Australia’s sustainable farming future.

“Sylvia and Peter serve as an inspiration to the farming community across Australia. Their motto of ‘seeking balance’ exemplifies what landcare farming is all about: production, community and environment,” Minister Watt said.

“Thank you to Sylvia and Peter for your ongoing commitment to create a stronger, cleaner and greener agriculture industry here in Australia, and I look forward to hearing about the ongoing success of their work on Wilyun Pools Farm.”

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Wal Mayr wins 2022 Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award

25 AUGUST: Gold Coast landcare champion Wal Mayr has received top landcare honours, being announced as the winner of the 2022 Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award at the National Landcare Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney last night.

Mr Mayr has been a dedicated Landcarer for over 40 years, is the coordinator of Austinville Landcare and the President of Watergum, the umbrella Group for Landcare groups in the Gold Coast Region. Since the 1970’s he and his wife have restored their remote 25ha degraded property back to its original rainforest habitat, protecting the land in perpetuity as Blue Fig Creek Nature Refuge.

“It’s an absolute honour to be here with my friends, family and amazing landcarers from across Australia to receive this award,” Wal said.

“To me this is a joint award – my wife Heather, the incredible landcarers at Austinville Landcare and the team and volunteers at Watergum have been with me every step of the way. It’s only by working together that we have created real momentum in maintaining and restoring the beautiful natural landscapes of the Gold Coast and hinterland.

“I am especially inspired and motivated by the young landcarers I have the privilege to work with, and am hopeful that this award shows them that by undertaking meaningful environmental work and combined with passion, energy and good management, we can realise our dream of changing society and making a positive environmental impact.”

Minister for Agriculture Senator Murray Watt acknowledged Wal’s extensive landcare work and lifelong commitment to giving back to the local environment and community.

“This is what landcare leadership looks like. Wal’s initiative, drive and outstanding accomplishments are an inspiration to landcarers across Australia,” Minister Watt said.

“I congratulate Wal and his family, along with Landcare Austinville and Watergum on the wide range of fantastic landcare projects they continue to deliver for the Gold Coast region, and look forward to hearing about their ongoing success.”

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