4 AUGUST 2022: Finalists were announced today for the prestigious Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award, which recognises the significant impact a partnership between individuals, groups, networks or organisations in landcare-related activities has made as a result of working together.

The Award will be presented to one of eight finalists at the National Landcare Awards to be held in Sydney this August.

According to Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish, with the impact of a changing climate and natural disasters like drought, bushfires and flood, joining forces for landcare has never been as important.

“The finalists for this Award exemplify the power of partnership. By joining forces they have achieved significant outcomes when it comes to restoring, protecting or enhancing their local environment. Their joint efforts are to be commended and will no doubt serve as inspiration for others to work together to share knowledge and amplify their impact.”

The Award showcases the many forms that effective partnership can take, with partners ranging from conservation groups, councils and NGOs, to businesses, state government agencies and First Nations.

Minister for Agriculture, Sen the Hon Murray Watt, said the Australian Government was thrilled to see the fantastic outcomes achieved by landcare-led partnerships across Australia.

“Partnerships are critical, not only for improving agricultural sustainability and environmental health, but for bettering our personal and collective wellbeing,” said Minister Watt.

“I applaud the accomplishments of each of the award finalists. Their incredible work highlights why working together to improve agricultural, environmental and community outcomes is the keystone for securing Australia’s sustainable future.”

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The full list of finalists includes:

 

ACT: The ACT Healthy Waterways partnership between the Southern ACT Catchment Group, Ginninderra Catchment Group, Molonglo Conservation Group and ACT Government

The ACT Healthy Waterways partnership is a joint initiative between the Southern ACT Catchment Group, Molonglo Conservation Group, Ginninderra Catchment Group and the ACT Government to improve the quality of water entering our lakes and waterways and flowing downstream into the Murrumbidgee River. The initiative provides community education about causes of stormwater pollution, how recently built water quality assets including wetlands, ponds and rain gardens filter pollution, and why the actions of residents are critical to improving water quality. The partnership supports ten new groups that have been formed to care for the new water quality assets and surrounding public land. The partnership aims to engage more Canberrans in urban Landcare, increase stormwater literacy, contribute to reduced stormwater pollution, and improve the amenity and ecological health of our waterways. Through this coordinated approach, residents living near a number of water quality assets have been provided an opportunity to learn about their purpose, structure and function, and many have become personally involved in their care.

 

NSW: Australian Association of Bush Regenerators

Many ecosystems across Australia were severely impacted from the 2019-20 bushfires due to the effects of prolonged drought. While extensive areas of vegetation are recovering well, others remain in trouble. Despite being challenged by COVID, the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) successfully managed to develop partnerships to support volunteers who were undertaking restoration works, by helping them assess the impact their activities may have on the bushland. Through their First Aid for Burned Bushland (FABB) initiative and supported by a range of sponsors, AABR developed resources, including videos and webinars, to provide best practice guidance for assisting in the recovery of bushland and matched experienced bush regenerators to sites in need.

 

QLD: World Environment Day 2021

World Environment Day Festival is run by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, the peak environmental advocacy body working to protect the Sunshine Coast environment. Reimagined in 2021 as a month-long program of events and activities, the festival comprised 22 event partners and 43 events showcasing ecosystem restoration projects throughout the region.

 

VIC: Northern Yarra Landcare Network in partnership with VicRoads

Northern Yarra Landcare Network and VicRoads worked together to achieve the treatment of 190 sites of invasive weeds along 14 kilometres of Melba Highway roadside in the Yarra Valley, to mitigate the ongoing threat to private properties and waterways. The sites ranged from small outbreaks to large infestations of up to 1,000 square metres.

 

TAS: Derwent Estuary Program

The Derwent Estuary Program is a partnership between state and local government and industry to make the Derwent a world class asset by sharing science for the benefit of nature, the economy and the community. The progam coordinates a range of projects aimed at restoring and promoting the Derwent estuary, and focus on four central themes: managing human pressures, protecting ecosystems, enhancing human uses, and promoting understanding, awareness and participation.

 

SA: Barossa Bushgardens

The Barossa Bushgardens aims to produce local provenance seed (i.e. seed bank) for use in revegetation projects and to provide a sanctuary for locally threatened species. Running since 2001, Barossa Bushgardens continues to demonstrate the successful partnerships between The Barossa Council, First Nations (Ngadjuri, Peramangk, Kaurna), the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, local businesses, community organisations, NGOs, schools, tertiary institutions, Landcare groups and State Government agencies.

WA: Moore Catchment Council and Yued Community of Moora

The Moore Catchment Council (MCC) is a community led not-for profit organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of the Moore River environment by communicating natural resource management and encouraging maximum sustainable use of resources. One of MCC’s key priorities has been to share Aboriginal knowledge and provide Working on Country opportunities with the local Yued community. This has led to a meaningful partnership between Moore Catchment Council and the local Yued community that has provided good outcomes for the local Shires (such as revegetation, rubbish removal, weed removal and education), local schools (learning opportunities such as traditional language learning, bush foods exploring, bush walks and stories), and tourism learning opportunities.

NT: Anindilyakwa Land Council Land and Sea Rangers and South32 GEMCO

The Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), the ALC Land and Sea Rangers of Groote Eylandt and South32 have partnered to protect the local environment from biosecurity risks. Groote Eylandt, where South32’s Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) is based, is an island approximately 50 kilometres from the Northern Territory (NT) coastline that is recognised nationally and internationally for its outstanding ecological and conservation values. The partnership includes a Quarantine and Biosecurity Officer who manages a professionally trained sniffer dog, Edna, who inspects high-risk freight, vehicles and materials entering Groote Eylandt, as well as community freight delivery and sea transport services.

1 AUGUST 2022: Anticipation for the 2022 Australian Government Landcare Farming Award is growing, with the complete list of finalists for the prestigious award announced today.

Ranging from the Desert Fruit Company’s organic, regenerative date farm in the Northern Territory to farmer-run grassroots organisation Agriculture Kangaroo Island in South Australia, pioneers in landcare-led sustainable agriculture from across Australia will come together for the winner’s announcement at the 2022 National Landcare Awards on 24 August.

Landcare Farming Project Manager Angela Hammond said she was thrilled to see such a wide variety of projects reflecting the ongoing growth of Australia’s landcare-led agricultural movement.

“Australian farmers and graziers are enthusiastic landcarers, and the diverse range of finalists for this year’s Australian Government Landcare Farming Award showcases the incredible breadth of work happening in the agricultural industry,” said Ms Hammond.

“Innovative Landcare-led agricultural practices are paving the way for Australia’s sustainable farming future. Many of this year’s finalists have made a lifelong commitment to transforming their properties into the land management success stories they are today. I hope their work can inspire other primary producers around the country to follow their lead and join Australia’s flourishing and innovative sustainable farming movement”.

Minister for Agriculture, Sen the Hon Murray Watt, said that the Australian Government was proud of their ongoing support of the prestigious award which highlighted Australian farmers’ commitment to improving sustainability in agriculture.

“Australia is a leader in sustainable agriculture, and this award allows our farmers to be recognised for their fantastic achievements on a national stage,” said Minister Watt.

“Each one of these finalists has taken a different approach to sustainable agriculture, but all are overcoming unique challenges to show that when we improve land, soils, vegetation and biodiversity, we create a stronger, cleaner and greener agriculture industry.”

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The full list of finalists includes:

 

ACT: Mount Majura Vineyard

Mount Majura Vineyard has demonstrated quality, environmental sustainability, innovation, community commitment, and leadership in wine production since planting its first vines in 1988. Using ecological knowledge and principles to make grape growing and winemaking more sustainable, they also engage with the local communities and the Canberra district winemaking community to share knowledge, experiences, and mutual support.

 

NSW: Martin Royds, Jillamatong and Tombarra

A fifth-generation beef cattle farmer from Braidwood, Martin Royds is passionate about working with nature, building resilience by increasing soil carbon on his land. To build knowledge regarding sustainable farming he has partnered with multiple organisations, and associations with Aboriginal leaders, and runs experiential training from his property “Tombarra”.

 

VIC: Andrew and Jill Stewart, Yan Yan Gurt West Farm

The Stewart’s are innovative community leaders who have adopted Landcare and agroforestry principles on their 230-ha farm ‘Yan Yan Gurt West’. By developing a whole farm plan that has seen woody vegetation coverage increase from 3% to 18%, they have tackled issues such as gully erosion, salinity, waterlogging and ecological decline.

 

TAS: Tim Reed, Wenlock Enterprises 

Over the past 7 years, Tim Reed has been working to improve his 232-acre beef farm in Rosevale, Tasmania, formally set stocked and conventional farmed, by switching to a new style of farming, a combination of sustainable, holistic and regenerative management.

 

SA: Agriculture Kangaroo Island

Formed in 1996, Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI) is the premier body for agriculture on the Island, boasting 120 members. An organisation by farmers for farmers, AgKI puts sustainability and productivity first, ensures all its members are able to access best-practice information, and provides an on-ground connection to promote local uptake of landcare and government projects.

 

WA: Silvia Leighton and Peter McKenzie, Wilyun Pools Farm

Together Silvia Leighton and Peter McKenzie are dedicated to using regenerative farming methods to make their 1214ha property, Wilyun Pools Farm, more sustainable. Through adopting the three pillars of Landcare and Regenerative Agriculture – healthy environment, healthy society, and healthy economy, they have contributed to a network of like-minded landholders.

 

NT: The Desert Fruit Company

The Desert Fruit Company (DFC) is a cooperatively owned and managed, worker run, Australian date farm, located southeast of Alice Springs. Using organic, regenerative farming techniques including as nitrogen fixing cover crops, organic fertilisers and sprays, and microbial production for soil creation, the DFC is an exemplar of sustainable and regenerative agriculture from a remote business.

 

QLD: Nadia and Robert Campbell, Goondicum Pastoral Company and Goondicum Station

Joint owners of Goondicum Pastoral Company and Goondicum Station, Nadia and Robert Campbell have been operating under the ethos that agriculture can coexist in balance with the natural environment since the 1950s. Their work has turned the land around to the point where Goondicum Station now supports a variety of native regional ecosystems rich in Australian biodiversity.

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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