Gold Coast Landcare Legend Named Australia’s Top Landcarer
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.”
