2021 QLD Landcare Awards

Alexander has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the College’s Gully precinct, an area that connects the Brisbane River with the property of Ambrose Treacy College. Since his early days as a student he drove the project, overseeing the application of council grants and local environmental group assistance, which has led to a point where currently, hundreds of ATC students and families have been involved in the ongoing maintenance and redevelopment of this beautiful natural habitat

Since its inception, 32 years ago the Allora Landcare Group has evolved with the trends of the Landcare movement during this time and particular interests of the membership group. Initially, it was innovative farming practices of the era, including ‘Zero Til’ and construction of contour banks. Tree plots and weed control on farming land was a priority. From here, the group moved to creek bank stabilisation and then took a keen interest in the Allora Mountain Flora and Fauna Reserve. More recently dedicated volunteers are working to improve the local environment through education to the wider community, particularly Cultural Heritage and the Allora Mountain Flora and Fauna Reserve.

Andrew Glen is a Qualified Golf Course Superintendent and has worked in the industry for over 35 years. He has worked on golf courses and turf facilities throughout the globe. KDV Sport is a multi-faceted sports facility and hotel located on a flood plain with a sensitive waterway running through the property leading to the Nerang River. The large population of native wildlife has continually increased over the past four years. Andrew decided the best approach to manage this large and diverse property located on such a sensitive area, would be to implement a full organic program which would eliminate any risks to the local environment.

Since its incorporation in 1997 Clifton Landcare Group has pursued its primary objective to draw the attention of the local community to the need to use sound land utilisation and conservation practices. In 1999 we were delighted that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Clifton Shire Council declared the Leyburn Roadside woodland as a Nature Refuge to protect the endangered Bulloak Jewel Butterfly, Hypochrysops piceata, the second rarest butterfly in Australia, from destruction of its habitat. At that time, we became acquainted with Dr Don Sands, CSIRO entomologist (retired) and his research into this elusive, rare species, attending the field days and site visits he conducted.

Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc has been operating in Townsville for over 25 years. 10 to 20 volunteers from ages 30 to 70+ meet every Friday and Saturday at our Bush Garden native plant nursery to learn about and undertake nursery duties; such as weeding, potting up, watering plants, customer service, mulching and fertilising, along with general nursery administration work such as stocktaking. Recently the group had to relocate their Bush Garden Nursery from Mundingburra to Rowes Bay which involved a lot of physical and mentally draining work for the volunteers within 4 weeks.

Emily is co founder of the Modern Generation which is a youth-run not for profit organisation, formed at the start of 2021. Our goal is to influence/inspire as many young people to act on causes they are passionate about. We work towards this goal by running fundraising concerts/events and involving passionate young adults in the community. This year we have organised two fundraisers for the Australian Marine Conservation Society; one in May where we raised $1626 and another in September where we raised over $3000.

The late John Pratt was a community champion and tireless advocate for the betterment of primary production, natural resource management and social inclusion for the Traprock region of Southern Queensland. John, with his wife Julie, was a sheep and wool grower, beef producer and a pioneer of stonefruit growing. He advocated for the establishment of the Traprock community hall to bring his community closer together. Their resilience was exemplified, having endured crippling drought, severe hail storms and sustained losses from wild dogs. John was tragically killed in a farm accident in 2020. Julie has carried on with the running of the property, with the support of their three children.

This nomination is to recognise the Bidjara community, the Goorathuntha Traditional Owners, for the partnership they have formed with Australian energy company, Santos Ltd, to protect their land at Mt Tabor Station. It recognises Bidjara woman, Keelen Mailman who has managed the station since 1998, the Goorathuntha Tradtional owners Limited and Haydn Kreicbergs of Santos who has worked with Keelen to secure the partnership. The discussion for the agreement first commenced in 2018. The beautiful sandstone formations, caves, artwork and places of great spiritual significance – such as the Lost City at Mt Tabor – make this a very special destination for tourists.

The Mary River Catchment Coordination Association Coordinating Committee comprises interest sector representatives from 25 industry, community and government sectors with interests in sustainable natural resource management. The MRCCC was launched in 1993 and has reached out to thousands of catchment residents through stakeholder delegates and associated networks. The Mary River Catchment is one of the most diverse catchments in Queensland. It covers 9595 km2 from Maleny to Fraser Island and contains a population of over 200,000 people.

The Normanby Land Management group is based on Normanby Station, 31,375ha in south-eastern Cape York. The return of Normanby Station in 1995 was a critical step in realising Balnggarrawarra reconnections to our ancestral homelands, securing our people’s place in our homeland, and building a stronger future for our young people. The Normanby Land Management was established 4 years ago to keep our sacred areas and significant places in as good a condition as possible, protect native plants and animals including the endangered Coix grass, and ensure that country was restored and properly managed using traditional and scientific methods to protect it from further damage.

Oakey Urban Landcare Group formed in 1995 from the Greening Oakey Committee as a sub group of North East Downs Landcare Group and developed a plan for improved natural resource management and town beautification. The group is focused on native flora and fauna conservation, pest plants and animals, community education and awareness in the urban area of Oakey particularly the riparian zone of Oakey Creek. Many hundreds of native trees have been planted. During 2020-21 Oakey Urban has obtained 30 hectares of land adjoining Stanley Street Park and have planted 500 native eucalypt  fodder trees for Koala food and habitat.

Rupert is a native of the central provinces of India where he first learned the marvels of the natural world from running with local fellows and learning bushcraft in the early 1950’s. He moved to Australia as a young man and has been involved with landcare and conservation activities for over 50 years. At the ripe old age of 70 Rupert decided to confront the local fire brigade who were in the habit of burning a local patch of bush every year for “practice”. He convinced them to leave the 5ha block in his care and he would ensure there was no fire hazard posed to our village of Mount Molloy.

Some 10 years ago West Moreton Landcare initiated a revegetation program that involved propagating, planting and maintaining Australian native plants along 150m of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Lowood. In 2015, this was extended another 500m after extensive consultation and partnerships involving all 3 levels of Government, businesses, community groups, volunteers & high school students. Donations and support from volunteers & their machinery have resulted in the near completion of the 6 stage revegetation program extending 1.6 km west. It includes a hikers & bikers trail, shade & block seats and a desilted dam which attracts native birds, mammals and bees.

Watergum’s philosophy is to work closely with the community in activities that make real improvements to the environment. We believe that by empowering the community to carry out practical work that makes a difference, that we will help people gain skills, knowledge and understanding which in turn will create a culture of valuing and caring for the Australian environment. Watergum does this by: Conducting Citizen Science Programs; Managing large environmental events; Managing community based Invasive species programs; Managing environmental restoration, revegetation and research projects; Facilitating kids workshops for council, schools and daycare; and Providing support to smaller unincorporated environmental groups.

Yvonne moved to Gympie and shortly after came to Landcare as a volunteer in the office. She moved to Bio-Control, knowing nothing about the biological control of weeds through insects, but it became her passion. 7 years later, Yvonne is Biological Services Manager, a self taught entomologist and one of the region’s leading experts on the breeding, release and use of the Tingid bug, the Jewel beetle and the Madeira beetle to help deal with increasing environmental problem of cat’s claw creeper and Madeira vine. She is consulted by and offers assistance to various environmental organisations around this region.