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CORANGAMITE VOLUNTEERS FEATURE IN STATE AWARDS
Landcare volunteers from the Corangamite region claimed three major titles at this year’s Victorian Landcare Awards.
Brian Wilson of Mingay, Camperdown College Environment Group and Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Committee received honours at the 2007 gala ceremony.
Another two individuals, and two groups from Corangamite received judges’ commendations.
They were Kevin Knight of Pittong, Jennifer Clarke of Ballarat, Heytesbury and District Landcare Network and Friends of the Bluff, Barwon Heads.
The Victorian Landcare Awards recognise the achievements of the state’s Landcare volunteers.
Corangamite CMA Regional Landcare Co-ordinator Polly Hall said all winners were dedicated and hard-working volunteers.
“Our winners have spent many years working on community Landcare projects and it was fantastic to see them acknowledged at a statewide level,” she said.
Cropping and grazing farmer Brian Wilson won the Sustainable Farming Award category for the Corangamite region.
Mr Wilson has spent more than two decades experimenting with farming methods including raised bed cropping, crop and stock rotation and revegetation of waterways and wetlands.
His investment has paid off with rising productivity.
Camperdown College Environment Group won the Westpac Landcare Education Award.
The group comprises students from all year levels and has been operating for about five years.
The group’s achievements include hosting a national wetlands conference in 2005 which attracted 150 students from across Australia.
The group received a Sue Hickey Memorial Grant from Corangamite CMA in 2006 to send nine students to New Zealand for a study tour.
Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Committee won the Australian Government Coastcare Award.
Swan Bay has one of the most significant areas of wetland and marine ecosystems in Port Phillip Bay.
The committee’s projects span the entire Bellarine Peninsula and aim to protect and enhance habitat and water quality in the area through revegetation, fencing to exclude stock and weed control.
The Corangamite region’s three major winners receive automatic entry in the National Landcare Awards, which will take place in August next year.
Ms Hall said she had high hopes for Mr Wilson, Camperdown College and Swan Bay.
“We wish them the best of luck for the 2008 National Landcare Awards,” she said.
Kevin Knight of Pittong, near Lismore, received a commendation in the National Landcare Program Individual Landcarer Award.
Mr Knight won Lifetime Achiever Award at the 2006 Powercor Corangamite Catchment Awards.
Mr Knight is committed to sustainable farming practices on his own property and is also an active member of Woady Yaloak Catchment Group.
Heytesbury and District Landcare Group’s commendation came for the Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award.
The Heytesbury group is involved in a diverse range of Landcare activities, from workshops and training to onground works such as revegetation.
The group also works with a wide range of community, government, industry and corporate partners.
Jennifer Clarke received a commendation from the Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship.
Ms Clarke is a Landcare co-ordinator for Woady Yaloak Catchment Group. She was recognised for her ability to bring together landholders for projects that link neighbouring farms together to address common issues.
Friends of the Bluff at Barwon Heads came in for a commendation for the Australian Government Coastcare Award.
Friends of the Bluff has been operating for 12 years and has a strong focus on community education in marine environments.
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