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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Robyn Zackreson has transformed her 540-acre South Burnett property into a significant private refuge for koalas and native wildlife. Over 25 years, she has protected 200 acres for conservation, restored riparian zones, planted more than 1,000 native trees and strengthened wildlife corridors. Her work supports koalas, including around 20 resident animals and six recent joeys, as well as bandicoots, echidnas, rakali and over 110 bird species. Robyn also propagates locally adapted koala food trees for the wider community, supports citizen science and conservation groups, and inspires others to restore habitat and protect native biodiversity.

Emma Green has made a strong contribution to environmental volunteering and conservation leadership over more than eight years. With a Wildlife Science background, she began volunteering to build hands-on experience and has since become a committed leader with the Quoll Society of Australia and Friends of Plunkett Conservation Park. Emma contributes to raptor surveys, cane toad control, bioblitzes, seagrass surveys, habitat restoration, camera trapping, quoll trapping and collaring. She co-founded Friends of Plunkett and now leads restoration planning and monthly working bees targeting lantana and invasive vines, combining conservation action with community connection.

Sybil Bekavac has dedicated 50 years to protecting and restoring four hectares of bushland on her property, creating a lasting conservation legacy. Through decades of hands-on weeding, planting and stewardship, she has safeguarded habitat that might otherwise have been cleared or overwhelmed by invasive weeds. Sybil became a valued partner in Brisbane City Council’s Land for Wildlife program and the Upper Tingalpa Creekcare initiative, supporting water quality and biodiversity. Even in later life, she has funded weed control, co-funded wetland restoration plantings, encouraged future koala habitat work, and inspired her family to continue caring for the land.

Wesley Nielsen has combined environmental commitment and engineering innovation to improve habitat support for hollow-dependent wildlife. Since 2023, he has developed tree-safe nest boxes with solar-powered monitoring technology, allowing communities to view wildlife through the Comfy Creatures app. In partnership with Cubberla Witton Catchments Network, he secured funding for a 31-box nest box trail along Cubberla Creek, supported by interpretive signs and QR-linked education. Around 200 units are already installed across South East Queensland, with another 160 committed. Wesley’s scalable model supports habitat creation, citizen science, community education and conservation while restored landscapes mature.

Genevieve Robey has made a significant contribution to Landcare through both practical conservation and skilled communications. She manages a 50-hectare Land for Wildlife property and wildlife refuge at Maroon, supporting ecological education, citizen science and habitat initiatives such as glossy black cockatoo nest tubes. Across B4C, Brisbane Catchments Network, Boonah and District Landcare, BOSS and OCCA, she has strengthened websites, newsletters, social media, events, governance, grants and community engagement. Gen also supports sustainable fashion, recycling, waste reduction and environmental advocacy, quietly connecting people, resources and ideas to advance positive environmental change.

Alyson “Ally” Shepherd has built Norma-May Honey into a sustainability-focused enterprise that promotes ethical beekeeping, pollinator protection and inclusive environmental education. Through community workshops, Bees-in-Schools activities and the award-winning Pollinator Warrior Program, she connects children and communities with bee-friendly landcare. Her program supports neurodivergent and autistic young people while contributing research into the benefits of nature-based learning. Ally is also pioneering chemical-free varroa mite control using heat treatment, sharing knowledge through speaking, podcasts and online platforms. Recognised through multiple business and agriculture awards, she turns personal resilience into practical environmental leadership.

The Forever Reef Project has pioneered a world-first living coral conservation archive to safeguard Great Barrier Reef biodiversity. Established by Great Barrier Reef Legacy in 2019, the project responds to climate change, bleaching, disease and other threats by aiming to protect all 415 known hard coral species. It has already collected and maintained more than 200 coral species from across the Reef, creating the world’s largest and most diverse living coral collection. Combining science, aquaculture, genetics, education and community engagement, the project has earned national recognition and is building a model for future coral conservation hubs worldwide.

The Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group has spent more than seven years protecting the Eagleby Wetlands and surrounding floodplain through advocacy, community engagement and on-ground action. The group has lobbied local, state and federal governments against the impacts of the proposed six-lane Coomera Connector freeway, raising awareness of threats to wetlands, wildlife and the local community. It has hosted surveys, events and “Boots on the Ground” tours, highlighting Eagleby’s 281 bird species, including 46 migratory species. Through partnerships with BirdLife Southern Queensland, volunteers and supporters, ECWG has built a respected campaign for wetland and wildlife protection.

Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba has led community bushland regeneration for over 30 years, protecting remnant and endangered ecosystems across the Toowoomba–Highfields region. From a small volunteer group founded in 1994, FEP has grown to more than 80 members, with 58 active volunteers working across 15 bushland parks covering over 315 hectares. In 2025 alone, volunteers contributed 6,265 hours removing invasive weeds, supporting natural regeneration and revegetating native species. Through strong partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council, safe volunteer coordination, education, open days, school and business involvement, FEP delivers lasting conservation outcomes for local bushland.

Jessica Lovegrove-Walsh has transformed support for conservation volunteers across Queensland. After founding Friends of Nerang National Park in 2020, she recognised that passionate groups were being held back by governance, insurance and administration. In response, Jessica conceived and led Friends of Parks Queensland, securing Queensland Government support in 2022 to help groups focus on restoration, wildlife protection, citizen science and community connection. Her model strengthens collaboration between volunteers, protected area managers and QPWS&P, while reducing pressure on rangers. From the Gold Coast to Mackay and the Granite Belt, Jessica’s vision is reshaping community-led conservation statewide.

Barbara Woods has transformed a neglected Cambooya farm into a sustainable family property and wildlife refuge over 15 years. While balancing family responsibilities and full-time work, she restored the century-old farmhouse, improved land management for horses, crops and water systems, and helped establish annual Sunflower Festivals that promote the region and generate local economic benefits. With Landcare support, she planted 1,000 trees about 12 years ago to restore historic koala habitat, hand-watering them through drought. Her persistence has been rewarded with koala sightings and photographs, creating a fenced sanctuary that inspires visitors to value habitat protection.

OzFish’s Central Moreton Bay Chapter has built Australia’s largest community-driven shellfish reef restoration project from one founding member in 2017 to hundreds of members and more than 43,000 volunteer hours. Working from the Port of Brisbane, volunteers operate the Southern Hemisphere’s largest shell recycling plant, fabricate Robust Oyster Baskets, pack them with recycled shell and deploy them across Moreton Bay to rebuild lost shellfish reefs. Their science-backed work attracts oyster spat, creates living reef habitat, supports marine biodiversity and increases fish productivity. The Chapter now trains others nationally through OzFish’s Shellfish Revolution, spreading restoration expertise across Australia.

Vera Lacaze Memorial Kindergarten is creating a meaningful early childhood Landcare initiative through Little Landcarers: Caring for Country Through Children’s Eyes. The project will engage 66 children in hands-on environmental learning focused on Darling Downs biodiversity, native plants, wildlife and Caring for Country. With guidance from a local Aboriginal Elder or Knowledge Holder, children will explore local ecosystems, record observations in nature journals and contribute ideas to a collaborative mural. Supported by educators, families, a local artist and community partners, the initiative will create a lasting outdoor learning space that inspires curiosity, respect for nature and environmental stewardship from an early age.

Friends of Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park has transformed a degraded intertidal ecosystem into a thriving model of community-led restoration. Since forming in 2021, the group has mobilised more than 100 volunteers, secured multiple grants and restored around 80% of the park through invasive weed removal and natural regeneration. Its work has supported threatened plants, biodiversity monitoring, citizen science, school visits, guided walks and community education. The return of koalas after 20 years highlights its ecological impact. The group’s advocacy also helped secure $630,000 for professional restoration and volunteer coordination across nearby parks.

Maleny State School Sustainability Team has embedded waste reduction, gardening and sustainable food production into daily school life. Inspired by a 2018 recycling centre excursion, the team created a whole-school waste management program that reduces landfill, greenhouse emissions and food waste through composting, worm farms, chickens, Containers for Cash, reusable items, rainwater use and Nude Food promotion. Around 30 students attend daily Garden Club, with younger students now joining and older students taking leadership roles. Through waste audits, curriculum links, aquaponics, parades and community events, MSS builds student awareness, responsibility and leadership while spreading sustainability practices to families and the wider community.

Emma Hawthorne has shown strong leadership as coordinator of Springbrook Weed Busters since 2022, building on her volunteer involvement since 2020. She organises working bees, manages permits, promotion, attendance, safety reporting, invoices and grant applications, while creating welcoming, educational events with guest speakers and workshops. Emma secured Landcare community grants to fund extra activities, volunteer support and equipment. Her standout achievement is the Carricks Creek restoration project, where she coordinated volunteers and a botanist to plant 450 locally appropriate trees on a weed-dominated site. Through ongoing bird surveys and community engagement, she is helping restore habitat and inspire volunteers.

Vincent Watego has rapidly transformed a lifelong passion for wildlife into meaningful conservation impact. Over the past 2.5 years, he has shifted from a successful tattoo career into volunteering and professional bush regeneration, despite a significant pay cut. Inspired by wildlife photography and a Friends of Parks Queensland frog walk, Vincent now volunteers across southern Queensland, including Girraween, Bellthorpe and Nerang National Parks. As volunteer coordinator for Friends of Nerang National Park, he organises ecological restoration, citizen science and community wildlife activities. His enthusiasm, practical contribution and ability to connect people with nature are strengthening conservation engagement.

Ocean Connect has spent more than a decade connecting Gold Coast communities with marine conservation through citizen science, education and practical action. Since 2014, it has grown from a small community stall into a leading not-for-profit engaging thousands of people each year across beaches, estuaries, mangroves, seagrass meadows, reefs and rocky shores. Its programs, including Sea Slug Survey, Seagrass Monitoring, Wonder Reef Citizen Science and Mangrove Ecoacoustics, generate valuable ecological data while empowering volunteers, students and ocean users. Through education, internships and partnerships, Ocean Connect builds lasting community stewardship for coastal ecosystems.

Angela Armitage has shown exceptional environmental leadership across New Zealand and Australia for more than 15 years. In New Zealand, she transformed a commercial tourism property into Northland’s only Enviro Gold Holiday Park and contributed to Kiwi Coast, supporting predator control, ecological corridors and kiwi recovery. After relocating to Queensland, Angela joined BIEPA in 2020, became Vice President in 2022, and now leads its Flora Team while supporting sustainability, community and fundraising work. Her major focus is Buckleys Hole Conservation Park, where she initiated and co-leads a three-hectare restoration project protecting native vegetation, bird habitat and coastal ecosystems.

Peter Alexander has contributed more than five decades to land and wildlife preservation, combining practical conservation leadership with professional spatial science expertise. As President of Wingecarribee WIRES, he coordinated wildlife rescues, habitat corridor advocacy and volunteer networks, helping return hundreds of animals to the wild. Now with BIEPA on Yarun/Bribie Island, Peter co-coordinates the Buckleys Hole Community Restoration Project, using his surveying skills to map a three-hectare priority restoration zone into operational sectors. His work supports weed control, coastal habitat protection, turtle conservation, water quality monitoring, oyster reef restoration and community education, turning complex environmental challenges into achievable action.

The Barfield Road Producer Group has become a respected model for collaborative, producer-led sustainable agriculture in Central Queensland. Established in 2019, BRPG now represents more than 25 farming families managing around 30,000 hectares of grazing land, 3,000 hectares of cropping country and over 20,000 cattle. Formed in response to drought, climate variability and the need to demonstrate sustainable food production, the group promotes best-practice grazing, soil health, biodiversity, animal welfare, natural capital and business resilience. Through field days, workshops, demonstration sites and peer learning, BRPG strengthens land stewardship, innovation, trust and regional farming resilience.

Conservation Partners has developed a practical model for protecting threatened species on working pastoral properties. Established in 2019, the organisation embeds long-term, science-guided conservation within day-to-day station operations, proving biodiversity protection can work alongside viable production. Through partnerships at Artemis Station in Cape York and Chidna Station in north-west Queensland, CP co-designs and delivers threat abatement with landholders, managing feral predators, inappropriate fire and grazing pressure. Its embedded conservation teams combine applied ecological science, consistent on-ground delivery and strong pastoral partnerships. CP is now expanding this repeatable model across priority landscapes to secure lasting conservation outcomes.

Len Lowry has made an extraordinary 38-year contribution to Tamborine National Park through Friends of Tamborine NP, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s longest-running affiliated volunteer group. For 31 years, he has coordinated work projects, trained and supervised volunteers, managed administration and produced monthly newsletters. His hands-on work includes weed eradication, rainforest revegetation, track maintenance, tool repair, seed collection, propagation and nursery care. Beyond Tamborine, Len has volunteered at Jollys Lookout, Avocet Nature Refuge and Land for Wildlife properties, supporting threatened species monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, weed control and habitat restoration across Queensland.

Maggie Muurmans has dedicated more than 20 years to conservation, environmental education and community engagement across Australia, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. As co-founder of Ocean Connect, she has helped grow a grassroots Gold Coast initiative into a thriving community-led marine conservation organisation engaging thousands of people through citizen science, education and stewardship. Her work connects communities with seagrass monitoring, mangrove conservation, biodiversity surveys and habitat protection. Earlier, in Indonesia, Maggie co-founded Yayasan Pulau Banyak, helping eliminate turtle egg poaching through community partnerships, education, sustainable livelihoods and ecotourism. Her leadership empowers lasting conservation action.

Susie Tomlinson has contributed to Landcare for around 20 years through property rehabilitation, nursery volunteering and her role as Sarina Landcare Nursery Officer since 2021. She collects seed, propagates and grows thousands of locally native plants for revegetation projects across the Sarina Catchment, while also supporting field teams, revegetation sites, the Sarina Community Native Gardens and nursery volunteers. Susie mentors volunteers in seed collection, propagation and nursery practice, building confidence and skills. Through community events, school days and environmental displays, she promotes locally native plants, habitat restoration, biodiversity protection and sustainable land management across the wider community.

Lachlan McBride has provided strong leadership to Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association since joining the Management Committee as Vice-Chair in 2020 and becoming Chair in 2021. Drawing on extensive agricultural experience and practical knowledge of landholder needs, he supports sustainable agriculture, conservation and community wellbeing across the Sarina Catchment. As Chair, Lachlan has strengthened governance, supported staff, fostered partnerships with landholders, industry and government, and helped guide the organisation through growth and change. His collaborative leadership, community volunteering and commitment to sustainable land management inspire others to participate in Landcare and protect the region’s natural resources.

The Woppaburra partnership at Balban Dara Guya is restoring coastal ecosystems through a strong First Nations-led, collaborative model. Designed and delivered with the Woppaburra People, Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation and Woppaburra Rangers, the project brings together Ecosure, OzFish and CQUniversity to restore wetlands, shellfish reefs and seagrass meadows on Woppa. It builds Ranger capacity, combines traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary restoration techniques, protects cultural values and supports long-term stewardship. From 2024 to 2026, the project is improving a 65-hectare coastal area while strengthening cultural connection, skills transfer and future restoration planning across Woppaburra Land and Sea Country.

Treasurer and Southern/Northern Gulf Representative

Condamine/South West Representative