Peter Bevan

Peter Bevan is a passionate Australian native plant enthusiast and long standing member of West Moreton Landcare (WML). He has made a lasting contribution to Lowood through his vision, expertise and commitment to Australian native revegetation. What began in 2012 as a modest 50-metre planting beside the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has grown into a 4.5-kilometre native plant corridor, supported by thousands of plants Peter propagated and donated from his hobby nursery. His work has attracted volunteers, plant specialists, community groups, businesses and all three levels of government, helping secure grants, equipment and a major private donation. Through strong partnerships and hands-on leadership, Peter has created an enduring environmental and community legacy for Lowood.
Edge Early Learning Marsden Group

Edge Early Learning Marsden is a 138-place long day care centre with 30 educators committed to sustainability, nature and land-based learning. Led by a hands-on centre manager, the centre embeds environmental responsibility across its play-based programs for children under five. Achievements include establishing productive garden planters growing bananas, pineapples, pawpaw and citrus, running an insect life cycle program that has released butterflies and lady beetles, caring for native stingless bees with annual hive checks, and growing flowers to support pollinators. The centre also acts as a bottle-cap collection point and runs recycling and upcycling mini projects.
Dr Fanny de Busserolles

Capricorn Conservation Council Youth Sub-Committee

Kieran Richardt (Messines Farm)

Kieran Richardt has transformed Messines Farm into a seven-hectare regenerative agriculture demonstration farm that integrates food production, ecological restoration and public education. Since 2020, Kieran, his family and the Natura Pacific team have restored soils, orchard systems, waterways and native habitat while retaining one third of the property as bushland. Through practices such as living groundcovers, deep mulching, composting, biochar, rotational grazing and water-sensitive creek restoration, the farm demonstrates practical ways to rebuild natural systems. Kieran’s work also supports threatened species research and shares lessons openly through videos, documentaries and screenings, inspiring broader understanding of resilient farming and biodiversity.
Jax Bergersen

Jax Bergerson has made an outstanding 30-year contribution to cassowary protection and rainforest restoration in the Kuranda region. She founded and leads the Kuranda Community Conservation Nursery, growing local rainforest trees on her own land for revegetation projects while building a supportive volunteer network. Her work has advanced habitat restoration, community education, advocacy and biodiversity protection for the endangered Southern Cassowary. Jax has also championed the Kuranda Envirolink Corridor, helping protect genetic links between cassowary populations from the Daintree to Mission Beach. Through generosity, leadership and succession planning, she has created a lasting conservation legacy.
NaturallyGC

NaturallyGC has achieved more than 25 years of environmental leadership as the City of Gold Coast’s flagship community environment program. Since 1999, it has empowered residents, volunteers, schools, businesses and partner organisations to restore and protect the city’s natural areas. Working with 12 Landcare and Bushcare groups across more than 28 conservation sites, it supports revegetation, habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, citizen science, waterway health and pest species management. The program also delivers youth education, Junior Landcare, school holiday activities and corporate Landcare. With funding, expertise and around $1 million annually in bush regeneration investment, NaturallyGC builds lasting community stewardship.
Green Thumb Farm
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Green Thumb Farm has transformed degraded land in Samford Valley into a thriving, community-led regenerative agriculture education site. As a not-for-profit charity, it teaches people of all ages and abilities how to grow organic, chemical-free food, rebuild soil biology and make healthier, local and seasonal food choices. In just two and a half years, the farm has become a productive living laboratory that supports pollinators, local wildlife and carbon sequestration. Through inclusive programs for families, children, corporate groups, urban residents and landholders, GTF strengthens food security, community resilience and environmental stewardship while inspiring more sustainable lifestyles.
Steve Plant

Steve Plant has made a major contribution to landcare in the Crows Nest area over nearly 30 years. Beginning with Friends of the Park in 1998, he shared his extensive flora knowledge as field crew supervisor for Council’s natural resource management trainees, contributing to award-winning state and national projects. His most significant achievement is his advocacy and ongoing management of the 41-hectare Dingo Mountain Environmental Reserve. Steve recognised the development risk, developed a preservation proposal, and helped secure the site as a community environmental asset. A 2024 survey confirmed its ecological importance, including rare flora, koalas and endangered Greater Gliders.
Keith Brown

Keith Brown has made an outstanding contribution to Landcare and community service across Brisbane for more than 18 years. As a founding member of Brisbane Catchments Network, he helped establish a coordinated umbrella organisation to strengthen collaboration among catchment groups. He has played key leadership roles in revitalising Bayside Creeks Catchment Group, serving as Secretary, President, Treasurer, grants officer and events organiser. Keith has also led and supported Bushcare groups, mentored volunteers and improved governance, communication and cooperation across Brisbane’s urban Landcare sector. His long service with Special Olympics further reflects his commitment to inclusion and community wellbeing.
Ian Sutherland

Ian Sutherland has made a sustained contribution to cleaner, healthier beaches on the Redcliffe Peninsula. Since 2012, his regular walks along Scarborough Beach, Queens Beach North and Queens Beach have grown into a long-running one-person marine debris clean-up across five kilometres of foreshore. His efforts, recorded through the Tangaroa Blue AMDI system, show measurable improvements, with debris falling from 12.5kg in 2024 to 11.1kg in 2025 and collected items dropping from 853 to 281. His reporting helped prompt Council-supported signage, raising public awareness and encouraging wider community participation, especially from children.
Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith has advanced sustainability education and waste reduction across the Whitsundays through Zero Waste Solutions. With a background in Conservation Biology, she co-founded Zero Waste Whitsundays, co-wrote more than 100 local newspaper columns, and began delivering practical workshops in 2022 on eco cleaners and personal products. Centred on sustainability, education and community, ZWS works with local council to provide waste education in regional schools, receiving strong positive feedback. The organisation also partners with community gardens, supports workshops for schools and garden members, builds links with the Women’s Crisis Centre, and promotes recycling and sustainable living at local events.
Jill Campbell

Jill Campbell has made an outstanding 20-year contribution to environmental protection in Noosa through dedicated grant writing, project leadership and hands-on conservation work. She has initiated and supported numerous weeding projects across the Noosa Biosphere, including creeks, dune areas, wetlands and fragile river systems. As President of the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, she coordinates water testing, River Watch activities and rubbish removal from local waterways. Jill also works collaboratively with Noosa Council, state government and the Noosa Biosphere, including efforts supporting oyster reef restoration in the Noosa River. Her commitment, determination and leadership inspire volunteers and strengthen environmental care.
Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc.

BIEPA has protected Bribie Island’s fragile ecosystems for nearly 50 years through advocacy, habitat restoration, invasive species control and active community landcare. Its achievements include rejuvenating Ernest Sendall Park, restoring Woorim dunes, removing rubbish, monitoring water quality and leading a major habitat restoration project at Buckleys Hole Conservation Park. Volunteers contribute around 136 hours weekly to Buckleys Hole alone, with an annual in-kind value of about $507,000. Since 2018, BIEPA has removed approximately 40,800 cane toads, preventing an estimated 734.5 million eggs, and since 2024 has eradicated 1,373 Common Mynas, protecting local biodiversity.
Peace Park Arboretum Bushcare group

Peace Park Arboretum Bushcare Group has preserved and showcased the endangered Rosewood Scrub dry rainforest ecosystem since 1994. Created through collaboration between local environmental advocates, Native Plants Queensland’s Ipswich branch and Ipswich City Council, it protected a two-hectare parkland site that had been earmarked for residential development. The arboretum now serves as a living botanical collection of locally indigenous plants from an ecosystem reduced to less than 2% of its original extent. It conserves rare and endangered species, supports ecological restoration, educates the community, and fosters long-term stewardship of native vegetation in the Ipswich region.
Raymond Ison

Raymond Ison has made a lifetime contribution to environmental conservation, education and animal welfare over more than 50 years. His achievements span bush skills training, environmental consulting, soil and land assessments, rehabilitation projects and leadership across multiple Landcare and catchment organisations. He helped found groups including Karawatha Forest Protection Society, Oxley Creek Catchment Association and Yimbun-Conondale Park Bushcare Group, securing funding and engaging regular volunteers. Ray also restores his own Land for Wildlife property, supports native and domestic animal protection, participates in bat rescues, and volunteers with numerous conservation organisations, demonstrating enduring commitment to biodiversity and stewardship.
Robbie Porter

Robbie Porter has pioneered scalable, community-led shellfish reef restoration across Australia through innovative systems such as the Robust Oyster Basket and Quilted Oyster Doona. Designed for practical use by volunteers, schools, Men’s Sheds, Traditional Owners and community groups, his methods have restored marine habitat while diverting more than one million kilograms of oyster shell from landfill. Robbie has led culturally collaborative projects on Woppaburra Sea Country, supported Ranger training, and partnered with major universities to advance restoration science. With thousands of systems deployed across Queensland and beyond, his work is shaping the future of shellfish reef and living seawall restoration.
Kolan South State School

Kolan South State School has embedded Landcare and sustainability into everyday learning through practical, student-led gardening activities. With support from Chaplain Evan, students develop and maintain a productive school garden, learning about sustainable food production, nutrition, soil health, water use and environmental responsibility. The school-wide Sunflower Growing Competition engaged every student in planting, nurturing and documenting plant growth, strengthening observation, care and reflection skills. Harvested produce is shared with students, staff and families, extending learning into the community. These initiatives build wellbeing, teamwork, environmental awareness and pride, empowering students to care for their surroundings and act sustainably.
Bruce Lord

Bruce Lord
Watergum Community Inc

Watergum Community Inc
Robyn Zackreson

Robyn Zackreson
Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group

Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group
Jason Roebig

Jason Roebig
Kiara Harley-Craig

Kiara Harley-Craig
Natasha Roebig

Natasha Roebig
Sybil Bekavac

Sybil Bekavac
Wesley Nielsen

Wesley Nielsen
Noosa & District Landcare Group

Noosa & District Landcare Group
Genevieve Robey

Genevieve Robey
Alyson Shepherd

Alyson Shepherd
Elijah Richardson

Elijah Richardson
Mt Etna OGRES

Mt Etna OGRES
Forever Reef Project (Great Barrier Reef Legacy)

Forever Reef Project (Great Barrier Reef Legacy)
Emma Green

Emma Green
Jessica Lovegrove-Walsh

Jessica Lovegrove-Walsh
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc

Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc
Barbara Woods

Barbara Woods
Jim Napier

Jim Napier
Vera Lacaze Memorial Kindergarten

Vera Lacaze Memorial Kindergarten
OzFish Unlimited - Central Moreton Bay Chapter

OzFish Unlimited – Central Moreton Bay Chapter
Linese Norrish

Linese Norrish
Maleny State School Garden Club

Maleny State School Garden Club
Longreach Landcare Group

Longreach Landcare group
Deborah Metters

Deborah Metters
Friends of Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park

Friends of Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Parkervation Council, Tangaroa Blue, Emu Park Bushcare, the local Livingstone Shire Council and more which means there are a lot of amazing learning opportunities.
Emma Hawthorne

Emma Hawthorne
Wetland Walkabout

Wetland Walkabout
Vincent Watego

Vincent Watego
Ocean Connect

Ocean Connect
Friends of Parks Queensland

Friends of Parks Queensland
Margaret Milgate

Margaret Milgate
Angela Armitage

Angela Armitage
Peter Alexander

Peter Alexander
Robyn Adams

Robyn Adams
Co Exist Queensland

Co Exist Queensland
Barfield Road Producer Group

Barfield Road Producer Group
Conservation Partners

Conservation Partners
No More Butts Organisation

No More Butts Organisation
Ian Mackay

Ian Mackay
Leonard Lowry

Leonard Lowry
Maggie Muurmans

Maggie Muurmans
Patrick Babrant

Patrick Babrant
Kelly Gunn

Kelly Gunn
Susie Tomlinson

Susie Tomlinson
Lachlan McBride

Lachlan McBride
Brisbane Intrepid Landcare

Brisbane Intrepid Landcare
Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson
Sonny Van Issum

Sonny Van Issum
Mark Van Ryt

Treasurer and Southern/Northern Gulf Representative
Mark was elected to the Board in November 2025.
Mark was born and bred in the North West of Queensland and has a passion for the community, its history, cultural heritage, and the environment. He has previously served on Mount Isa City Council for two terms, was appointed to the regional NRM board and did some years as the Regional NRM Facilitator. Mark went on to found a Landcare group and reenergise another now called Gulf Rivers Landcare. Mark is continuing in the role of secretary for his landcare group. He is the regional weed spotter coordinator and the Sunfish representative for Southern Gulf.
Leo Perkins

Condamine/South West Representative
Leo was elected to the Board in November 2025.
Leo Perkins has a deep commitment to sustainability and the opportunities it brings to agriculture and natural resource management across the Condamine and Murray–Darling regions. He brings to the board skills in strategic planning, communications, ESG compliance, events and stakeholder engagement, grounded in practical experience managing conventional and organic agricultural operations in Southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
Debbie Seal

Burnett Mary Representative
Debbie was elected to the Board in November 2025.
Elected to the QWaLC board in November 2025, Debbie has for the past 30+ years worked with non-profit community environment organisations, including the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) where she currently works part time, managing the group’s finances and providing project and administrative support.
In an honorary capacity, she also the Secretary/Treasurer of the Australian Native Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Association (ANARRA), operating in the Gympie/Wide Bay region, and a volunteer on the Wildcare Australia 24 hour hotline. Debbie is deeply committed to providing support for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife.
Debbie’s small acreage at Tamaree provides habitat for wallabies, possums, gliders, bandicoots and many species of native birds.
Chris Meibusch

Condamine/South West Representative
Chris was elected to the Board in November 2025.
Chris is a member of Save Mt Lofty Inc, an urban based landcare association located in Toowoomba, Southern Queensland. He has been project manager for recent successful government funded projects including the Toowoomba Escarpment Bushfire Preparation Project in 2022 and the Toowoomba Region Koala Habitat Project from 2023 – 2025.
From 2017 – 2020, Chris managed Save Mt Lofty’s campaign to protect critical koala habitat on the site of the former rifle range at Mt Lofty. Chris authored “Save Mt Lofty – Lessons for a Successful Community Campaign” – available via Apple e-Books. The 390ha rifle range site is now owned by ARTC Inland Rail as a biodiversity offset – which Save Mt Lofty Inc continues to monitor.
Over recent years, Chris has committed himself to community environmental and landcare work through Save Mt Lofty Inc, Pittsworth & District Landcare, Condamine Catchment Management Association and Darling Downs Environment Council.
For the last 5 years, through Save Mt Lofty Inc, Chris has managed the annual Toowoomba Region Koala Count as a community based citizen-science initiative.
Beyond his koala work, Chris’ major landcare focus has been on engagement of our older volunteer base with the wider community and with younger generations – in particular, through engagement with schools.








