WA Farming Duo Named Australia’s Top Landcare Farmers
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.”
