Landcare groups and community volunteers were recognised for their contributions to the environment and community at the North East Natural Resource Management (NRM) Awards presentations and celebration of 30 Years of Landcare on Sunday.
More than 70 community volunteers attended the event, where North East Catchment Management Authority Chair, Lyn Coulston OAM, presented the Regional NRM Awards and Service Awards.
“These awards highlight the outstanding contributions by Landcare and other community groups, and the people who volunteer their time and energy to the groups,” Mrs Coulston said.
The awards categories, celebrating the diverse range of Landcare and community programs being delivered in North East Victoria, included environment, education, community group, sustainable agriculture, Indigenous and leadership awards.
Individual service awards were presented for the outstanding contributions made by 117 volunteers to their groups to assist the protection and enhancement of our environment.
Mrs Coulston said the service awards this year recognised a total of 1470 years of service by community members to Landcare in the north east.
“Since their inception in 2003, the North East service awards have publicly acknowledged local volunteers with a combined service to Landcare and community in excess of 3500 years,” she said.
This year’s awards included a favourite place photo competition, with Junior, Favourite Environmental Project and Favourite Natural Place prizes presented.
The event was supported by the Victorian Government, through funding from the Victorian Landcare Program as part of the 30 Years of Landcare Celebrations.
The NRM and Service Awards recipients are:
CONSERVATION AWARD – Jim Crebbin from the Upper Kiewa Valley Community Group
This award is made to a person who has made a significant contribution to the sustainable management, conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources in the region.
Jim Crebbin has provided considerable, long term leadership in preservation and enhancement of the natural and man-made environment around Mt Beauty, across the foothills of the West and East Kiewa Rivers as well as the paths and cattleman’s huts in the Alpine National Park.
EDUCATION AWARD - Wodonga Middle Years College, Felltimber campus
This Award is for contribution to raising awareness, knowledge and understanding of NRM, Landcare or sustainability amongst students and/or the community, and for implementing environmental practices at the School.
Helena Foster and Destine Schilg are helping the school in progressively transforming the campus from a place of traditional gardens, lawn and bare ground to a native vegetation corridor. This is a work in progress which is inspiring students and staff and providing a showcase of the richness of local native plants.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AWARD – Andrew Russell
This award is made to a primary producer who has implemented innovative farm and land management practices to improve natural resource management and productivity outcomes.
Andrew Russell, the director of Lilliput Agriculture, manages about 2500 Ha of agricultural land between Rutherglen and Springhurst with primarily a large cropping system. Andrew has also contributed 8 years of his time to the Riverine Plains cropping group, acting as president and sitting on sub committees, contributing to research and trials. Leaving the soil and land to the next generation in better condition than he found it, is something that he measures his success by.
COMMUNITY GROUP AWARD - Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group
This award is made to a Landcare or related community group that has promoted or demonstrated sound land management practices on public or private land and is working towards sustainable land use for community benefit.
The Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group (M2MBAG) has adopted a community-wide approach to the management of blackberries. The project includes private and public landowners to join together to achieve the common goal of protecting the agricultural value of farm land and preserving the natural environment by reducing and managing the spread of blackberries.
INDIGENOUS AWARD - Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups, for their Indigenous Use of Fire project
This award is made to a community group that is working towards or promoting culturally sustainable land use and enhancing or building partnerships with the Indigenous community.
The Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups have been partnering with Traditional Owners, Agencies and landholders to use fire as a land management tool to reduce fuel loads and conduct field trials to assess the use of Indigenous Fire Management techniques to rejuvenate native grasses, and regenerate healthy ecosystems. The projects have been focussed on reviving the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in use of fire to manage native grasses, and develop partnerships with Traditional Owners, landholders, groups and agencies to trial and promote these practices.
LEADERSHIP AWARD – Jim de Hennin
This award is made to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in promotion or delivery of community-led Natural Resource Management (NRM), Landcare or sustainability groups and activities.
Jim is the long-term President of the Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group, the founding President of the Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group, a delegate on Victorian Landcare Council, a former President and current committee member for The Grassland Society of Southern Australia Albury-Wodonga branch, a member of the Talgarno CFA, a representative on the Lake Hume Community Reference group and previously President of the Mitta to Murray Landcare Network while it operated.
Jim is passionate about Landcare, sustainable agriculture and a whole of community approach to improving our understanding of the natural world, supporting local businesses and working towards a common-good, where everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit.
Jim was awarded the 2016 Executive Committee Service Award at the 2016 celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Landcare in Melbourne.
Landcare Service Awards Recipients
Landcare and related groups have nominated these people for providing the relevant number of years of active service to the group as volunteers.
|
First Name
|
Surname
|
Nominee Organisation Name
|
Service Award Category
|
|
John
|
Hawker
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
5
|
|
Charlie
|
Robinson
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
5
|
|
Fay
|
Robinson
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
5
|
|
Allan
|
Clissold
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Brenda
|
Clissold
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Daryl
|
Cornish
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Faye
|
Cornish
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Russell
|
Small
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
David
|
Briggs
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Trevor
|
Dinning
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Ashley
|
Schrieber
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Adrian
|
Younger
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Phil
|
Horner
|
Ovens Landcare Network
|
5
|
|
David
|
Minifie
|
Ovens Landcare Network
|
5
|
|
Jane
|
Roots
|
Ovens Landcare Network
|
5
|
|
Sally
|
Carr
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Elaine
|
Jacobsen
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Pat
|
Kuhle
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
5
|
|
Di
|
Farmer
|
Wangaratta Sustainability Network
|
5
|
|
John
|
Hartnett
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
5
|
|
Frank
|
Kelly
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
5
|
|
Julie
|
Miller
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
5
|
|
Melissa
|
Nichol
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
5
|
|
Peter
|
Williams
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
5
|
|
Neville
|
Bartlett
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
10
|
|
Glenda
|
Datson
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
10
|
|
Jenny
|
Davies
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
10
|
|
Chris
|
Lehmann
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
10
|
|
Juliette
|
Milbank
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
10
|
|
Roberta
|
Baker
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Joan
|
Baudinette
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Alan
|
Baudinette
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10 - Posthumous
|
|
Mike
|
Bonito
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Birgit
|
Schonafinger
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
John
|
Hennessy
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Peter
|
Mathews
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Peggy
|
McKinlay
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Ian
|
McKinlay
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Joy
|
Phillips
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Joan
|
Simms
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Dot
|
Stelling
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10
|
|
Bob
|
Stelling
|
Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group
|
10 - Posthumous
|
|
Jeff
|
Colson
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
10
|
|
Ron
|
Bathman
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Austin
|
Elliot
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Barry
|
Elliot
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Don
|
Elliot
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Michael
|
Elliot
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Eric
|
Green
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Hugh
|
Green
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Rod
|
McKenzie
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Ray
|
Merkel
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Anthony
|
Nichol
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Graeme
|
Redman
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Michael
|
Trewin
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Marge
|
Williams
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Michael
|
Wood
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Greg
|
Wood
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Stuart
|
Wood
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
David
|
Wortmann
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Garry
|
Zauner
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
10
|
|
Liz
|
Fuchsen
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
15
|
|
Glen
|
Johnson
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
15
|
|
Tony
|
Marsh
|
Baranduda Landcare
|
15
|
|
Gordon
|
Bowes
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Lloyd
|
Burdett
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Glenise
|
Burdett
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Phil
|
Costello
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Christine
|
Costello
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Gordon
|
Henshaw
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Stewart
|
Jones
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Ian
|
Jones
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
John
|
Kohne
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Lyn
|
Kohne
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
John
|
Maddock
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Trisha
|
Maddock
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
John
|
Maddock
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Rhonda
|
Maddock
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Anthony
|
Maddock
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Bruce
|
Mason
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Jo
|
Mason
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Donald
|
Nevin
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Frank
|
Swaby
|
Bryants Gap Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Russel
|
Ellis
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Doug
|
James
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
15
|
|
Jim
|
de Hennin
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
15
|
|
Greg
|
Hayes
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
15
|
|
Alan
|
Stephenson
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
15
|
|
Jo
|
Taprell
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
15
|
|
David
|
Evans
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Anthony
|
Griffiths
|
Greta Valley Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Helen
|
Briggs
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Jenny
|
Davidson
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
| Tom |
Grantham |
Rutherglen Landcare Group |
20 |
|
Pam
|
King
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Lyn
|
King
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Bryan
|
McCleave
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Don
|
Nash
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Philippa
|
Noble
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Gerald
|
Terrill
|
Rutherglen Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Peter
|
Curtis
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Helen
|
Curtis
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
20 - Posthumous
|
|
Adrian
|
Twitt
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Helen
|
Twitt
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Ian
|
Minns
|
Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group/ WSN
|
20
|
|
Graham
|
Colson
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Uncle W.
|
Cooper
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20 - Posthumous
|
|
Ken
|
Gaudion
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Selwyn
|
Jackel
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Bill
|
Johnson
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Gordon
|
Kerris
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Jim
|
McCarthy
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Brian
|
McGee
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Pam
|
Proctor
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Mike
|
Reid
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Bill
|
Scott
|
Warby Range Landcare Group
|
20
|
|
Hugh
|
Dunchue
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
20
|
|
Peter
|
Star
|
Wises Creek-Talgarno Landcare Group Inc.
|
20
|