Posted 11/9/08

Winners - 2008 Port Phillip & Western Port Landcare Awards

The winners of the 2008 Port Phillip & Western Port Landcare Awards were announced at the Landcare Awards Celebration function on Saturday 6 September 2008, at ZINC in Federation Square, Melbourne. The Awards function was attended by over 200 people. Congratulations to all those who were nominated for an Award for their outstanding efforts and special congratulations go to the winners from each Award category.

Each winner received a framed certificate and the frames have been made by a local frame maker from recycled timber.  Each Award winner also received a cash prize of $400.  The winners of the Awards will also automatically qualify as a nomination in the corresponding category at the 2009 Victorian Landcare Awards.

Nine judging panels, with three judges in each panel, were established to assess the Award nominations.  Overall, 26 judges were involved in assessing the Awards nominations.  Thank you to all the judges for their efforts in judging the nominees in each category, which in some cases was evidently not an easy task.

There were 46 nominations received across all the 11 Award categories. Below is a list of the winners and nominees for each Award category and also some points on each of the Award winners. For a copy of the brochure on all the Award winners go to http://www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/events_current.htm

The winners of the 11 Awards are:

Caring for Waterways 

Friends of Chinaman’s Creek Inc.

Caring for Nature

Bend of Islands Conservation Association Inc.

Indigenous Caring for Land

Kim Wandin & Dion Bender

Individual Caring for Private Land

Penny Roberts

Primary Producer Caring for Land

Rob & Carol Tylee

Community Group Caring for Private Land

Western Port Slow the Flow Cluster

Caring for Community Groups

Brian Bainbridge

Individual Caring for Public Land

Julia Davis

Community Group Caring for Public Land

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater

Local Government Caring for Land

Manningham City Council

Young People Caring for Land

Balnarring Primary School

Caring for Waterways

This Award is made to a community organisation, person or group who has made a significant contribution to the sustainable management, conservation and/or rehabilitation and of a waterway ecosystem (ie river, stream, creek or wetland).

The nominees were:

• Wurundjeri Walk Advisory Committee

• Friends of Steele Creek

• Friends of Walmer Street Bushland

• Friends of Chinaman’s Creek Inc.

• Friends of Toolern Creek

The winner:    Friends of Chinaman’s Creek Inc. 

The Friends of Chinaman’s Creek formed in 2004 to protect and enhance Chinaman’s Creek, near Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula. Chinaman’s Creek contains significant remnant vegetation and forms an important habitat link with the Rosebud foreshore, including for the vulnerable Swamp Skink. The Friends of Chinaman’s Creek: 

• have developed a waterway action plan that is closely integrated with higher level strategies and local area (ie Council scale) plans and priorities
• demonstrate an outstanding level of consultation and working with others, including with Melbourne Water, Council, private land owners, schools & colleges, and other community groups such as Landcare & Committees of Management, Lions & Rotary
• to improve habitat have planted more than 30,000 indigenous plants, controlled five hectares from weed invasion, stabilized and revegetated banks, and fenced areas of creek
• produces regular newsletters, brochures and educational materials about flora and fauna, organises “walks and talks” and has installed interpretive signage
• the Group’s Skink Link project aims to maintain the existing local population of vulnerable Swamp Skink. The Group’s work to improve the habitat along the creek for the Swamp Skink has resulted in the Skink’s population increasing from 12 in 2003 to more than 60 in 2008, which provides demonstrated and quantified evidence of resource condition improvement along the riparian zone 

Caring for Nature

This Award is made to a community organisation, group or individual for excellence and innovation in implementing nature conservation activities on land outside formal parks and reserves.

The nominees were: 

• Steve Mitchell (Macclesfield Landcare Group)
• Melton Shire Council
• Peter & Rosemarie Spielvogel (Bacchus Marsh)
• Bend of Islands Conservation Association Inc. 
• Fay Rimmer (Friends of Blind Creek Billabong)
• Adriana Simmonds (Wonga Park Environment Group)   

The winner:    Bend of Islands Conservation Association Inc.   

The Bend of Islands is located 30 km north-east of Melbourne, adjacent to the Yarra River and 20 minutes north of Eltham. The Bend of Islands Conservation Association:

• has a strong “community-wide” approach to implementing nature conservation activities in the area
• includes 70% of the 130 households in the Environmental Living Zone at the Bend of Islands, which is evidence of its effectiveness at carrying out nature conservation pursuits through events, community awareness programs, and actively informing residents
• Bend of Islands covers 400ha and forms an important habitat link between Warrandyte State Park, Kinglake National Park and the Yarra River
• is a stronghold for the threatened Brush-tailed Phascogale and Powerful Owl. The recent return of Lyrebirds to the area is credited to the Group’s habitat link restoration activities
• Bend of Islands has very high conservation values and supports a high diversity of flora and fauna species, eg endangered Box-Ironbark Forest
• removal of non-indigenous weeds has been a priority for the Group and since 1991 it has removed more than 1,800 mature pine trees from the area
• undertakes frequent and routine surveys for birds, mammals, plants etc
• continues act as a strong community voice to ensure the nature conservation and environmental values of the Bend of Islands area are protected, maintained and enhanced

Indigenous Caring for Land

This Award is made to an Indigenous community group or individual that/who has adopted or promoted sound land management practices on public or private land, is working towards culturally sustainable land use, and/or enhancing and protecting an area, on behalf of the community.

The nominees were:

• Joanne Russell (Kangan Batman TAFE)
• Kim Wandin & Dion Bender (Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation)
• Wurundjeri Tribe Land Compensation Cultural Heritage Council and Mt William Wurundjeri Stone Axe Quarry and Sunbury Rings Advisory Group

The winner:    Kim Wandin & Dion Bender

• from their base in the Upper Yarra region, Kim and Dion have established effective connections with primary schools, Landcare Groups, government agencies, Shires and non-government organizations
• have shared Indigenous cultural practices and information with more than 550 students (both primary and secondary) from nine schools in the Upper Yarra region
• over past two years, have delivered with schools across the Yarra River catchment part of a broader integrated program (i.e. Yarra River Recovery Program) with a focus on the Indigenous cultural land management practices
• have been involved in initiating successional planning within the Indigenous community, which has included the training and participation of community members in a program for passing on Indigenous knowledge and culture
• promote and communicate to parents, teachers and students a clear understanding of traditional Aboriginal cultural roles and responsibilities, such as men’s and women’s business and how to use the resources available in the natural environment 

Individual Caring for Private Land

This Award is made to an individual working primarily on private land who carries out and/or promotes Landcare or sustainable agriculture through on-ground works and awareness raising activities, as a volunteer.

The nominees were:

• Peter & Rosemarie Spielvogel (Bacchus Marsh)
• Fritz Url (Andersons Creek Catchment Area Landcare Group)
• Penny Roberts (Newham and District Landcare Group)
• Gwynedd Hunter-Payne (WACMAC Landcare)

The winner:    Penny Roberts  

Penny and Hilary Roberts moved to their 200 acre property at Newham five years ago. Penny is the immediate past President of Newham and District Landcare Group. Penny Roberts:   

• has fenced off 35% of their property for natural regeneration and revegetation. This area comprises part of the Landcare Group’s Campaspe-Maribyrnong Bio-link Project
• rabbits and weeds were major problem on the Roberts’ property when they moved to Newham. The weeds and rabbits have been brought under control. Rabbits, which once numbered in the hundreds, are now down to two rabbits per spotlight km
• is an avid seed collector and propagator ensuring local provenance plants are used for both plantings in Group projects and on the Roberts’ property. More than 15,000 indigenous plants have planted at the Roberts property over past five years
• while Penny was President of the Landcare Group (2005-2008), its membership grew from 40 to 95 households. The Group emphasises the social side of Landcare with the view that ‘Landcare should be fun and inclusive’. Penny has played an important role fostering this social aspect and uses innovative methods to involve new landholders in Landcare, e.g. she hosts, on average, two ‘new member dinners’ each year
• has played a central role in securing multiple grants for the Group’s numerous projects and has managed the implementation of these grants
• organised an Environmental Property Planning Series for 25 local property owners, which provided the participants with the skills to develop their own property plans
• has instigated numerous educational events with wide appeal (e.g. native bats) for both the Group and wider community to stimulate involvement, interest and learning opportunities
• regularly works with local Primary School and was instrumental in obtaining funding for creek rehabilitation works in school’s grounds and for a shade-house for propagation
• willingly shares her knowledge and skills about indigenous plants, propagation, revegetation techniques, landscape-level planning and project management

Primary Producer Caring for Land

This Award is made to a primary producer who has made significant contributions to caring for our catchments thorough sound land management practices and sustainable productivity. Primary production includes agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and farm forestry.

The nominees were:

• Rob and Carol Tylee (Lardner Landcare Group)
• Steve Chapman (R.L. Chapman & Sons Pty Ltd)

The winner:    Rob and Carol Tylee

• have significantly increased both milk production (from their 300 cows) and herd numbers while simultaneously improving their property’s environmental condition 
• as dairy farmers the Tylee’s are at the cutting edge of Landcare farming. They embrace all the requirements for profitable but regenerative farm management practices, while addressing challenges such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and wastes to landfill
• aim to farm in a way that is sustainable, productive and enjoyable. Among the sustainable practices they have adopted include: fencing off all creeks and dams, planting extensive shelterbelts, built laneways to all paddocks with nutrient runoff diverted to pasture, provided stock crossings over waterways, built a two pond effluent system to irrigate paddocks and fenced off all remnant vegetation
• have made important contributions to the local district’s Landcare farming efforts. Rob is the inaugural President of the Lardner and District Landcare Group (est. 2006), which aims to create a continuous vegetation corridor linking Drouin Sth to Hallora, including links of waterways, remnant vegetation and Landcare properties
• originally aimed to plant 1,000 tees each year in their paddocks to provide shelter for stock. Last year, with support from the Landcare Network, they planted 5,000 trees and believe the shelter provided by trees has helped increase milk production
• are participating in a “Greenhouse Emissions” project to reduce Greenhouse emissions, increase water efficiency and decrease waste to landfill

Judges' Special Commendation - Steve Chapman

The Chapmans are regarded as innovators and pioneers. For each of their three horticulture and fruit growing farms Steve Chapman and his family have a whole farm plan and undertake sound environmental practices, including integrated pest management.  The judges recommended that Steve be highly commended for his efforts as an innovator, influencer and advocate for better environmental practices.  

Community Group Caring for Private Land

This Award is made to a community group actively caring for our catchments primarily on private land through the adoption of sound land management practices. The group is working towards sustainable land use and enhancement and/or protection of an area on behalf of the community.

The nominees were:

• Deep Creek Landcare Group (Romsey/Lancefield)
• Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party 
• Western Port Slow the Flow Cluster

The winner:   Western Port Slow the Flow Cluster

Four Landcare Groups (ie Poowong, Mt Lyall, Loch/Nyora, and Triholm) in the upper Bass and Lang Lang catchments of the South Gippsland Landcare Network’s area, have joined forces to form a strategic ‘cluster’ - Western Port Slow the Flow. The “Cluster”:

• aims to bring about significant landscape change and establish a weed-free environment, connected habitats and communities, that are supported by healthy waterways
• has a strong focus on weeds on roadsides and public land, protection of remnants, revegetation, and nutrient budgeting on farms to improve water quality
• over the past two years, the Cluster has funded 79 projects on private land, including 46kms fencing to control stock, planted 77,500 plants, used 6.2kg of seed for direct seeding, and installed culverts & troughs to remove stock from waterways
• has tackled a major issue many farmers struggle to embrace, ie each farm's nutrient balance. 11 farmers are undertaking a nutrient and effluent management program to reduce chemical costs and runoff to waterways. On the Cluster area's sandy soil, excess nutrients and animal effluent can easily enter waterways if farmers are not aware of correct amounts and timing of fertilisers & manures
• runs a successful weed program and this year 16 landholders signed weed management agreements and half these projects included fencing remnant vegetation and demonstration sites have been established

Caring for Community Groups

This Award is made to a community member, coordinator or facilitator who is effectively providing support and capacity building for two or more volunteer-based community environment groups (eg Landcare, Friends of Groups, Waterwatch, etc.) in the region.

The nominees were:

• Bronwyn Riddell (Moonee Ponds Creek Coordination Committee)
• Brian Bainbridge (Merri Creek Management Committee)

The winner:    Brian Bainbridge

• has developed a wide range of publications, management plans, environmental educational (e.g. brochures, booklets) and interpretive materials (e.g. signs), conducted many “walks and talks” and workshops. These publications and engagement activities have increased the capacity, environmental awareness and appreciation of many Friends of  and community groups and individuals
• possesses a superb knowledge of local flora, fauna, restoration ecology, impressive artistic skills and a commitment to share his understanding and knowledge of the local environment with the community   
• his rediscovery of the Golden Sun Moth at Craigieburn Grasslands encouraged the Friends of Merri Creek to conduct further surveys that led to the discovery of the Golden Sun Moth at other grassland sites
• has played a key role in providing expert knowledge to many Friends of and community groups which has helped empower these groups’ members to apply the skills learnt to deliver on-ground outcomes
• in 2004, ran successful weed workshops on aquatic weeds and conducted other customised weed workshops to two other Friends of groups in 2006-2008
• undertakes innovative engagement opportunities on the natural environment with local groups from diverse cultural backgrounds 

Individual Caring for Public Land

This Award is made to an individual working primarily on public land who carries out and/or promotes landcare through on-ground and/or awareness raising activities, as a volunteer.

The nominees were:   

• Karen Garth (Mt Toolebewong Landcare Group)
• Ted Harris (Watson Creek Landcare Group)
• Julia Davis (Montmorency Field Naturalists)
• Arnie Azaris (Sunbury Conservation Society)
• John Wardzynski (Banyule Wetlands Waterwatch Group)

The winner:    Julia Davis 

• has given more than 40 years of volunteer service in Banyule and Nillumbik areas with a range of Friends of and other groups
• was a founding member of Montmorency Field Naturalists Group (est. 1969) that aims to provide practical environmental education to children
• since early 1990s, she has on a monthly basis, undertaken restoration and monitoring work at Heard Avenue Reserve, Plenty
• on a weekly basis, at Council’s Edendale Indigenous Plant Nursery, propagates plants for use by local environment groups
• is an active member of Friends of Lower Eltham Park and Friends of Plenty River assisting in their weed control and revegetation work
• has worked with scouts/guides on on-ground projects to develop their skills in environmental practices and has provided them with education and training
• has been an advocate for improvements at Heard Reserve and undertakes on-going monitoring and evaluation activities

Community Group Caring for Public Land

This Award is made to a community group that is actively caring for our catchments primarily on public land, through adoption of sound land management practices.  The group is working towards sustainable land use and/or enhancement and protection of an area on behalf of the community.

The nominees were:

• Friends of Merri Creek
• Friends of Barak Bushlands
• Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands
• Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater
• Greenlink Box Hill Inc.
• Friends of Westgate Park
• Friends of Toolern Creek

The winner:    Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater    

The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater formed in 1989 and focus on the restoration of habitat for the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and other threatened species, e.g. Leadbeater’s Possum, at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve (and its surrounds), 50km east of Melbourne. The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater:

• collaborated with Macclesfield Landcare Group to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan for area. The Group’s activities are also strategically directed by the Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Plan, Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve Management Plan, and Group’s business plan, which it reviews annually/span>
• run an indigenous nursery that provides plants of local provenance for local projects on both private and public land. The nursery, which is run by volunteers, supplies 50,000 plants a year for local restoration projects and has so far grown 500,000 plants
• has initiated a wide range of programs with a diverse range of partner organisations, both government and non-government, as well as corporate
• run education, training and revegetation programs for schools to increase awareness and understanding of importance of conserving local flora and fauna and restoring habitat
• has published wide range of educational materials, including children’s books, brochures, and conducts many awareness raising activities
• has strong membership base around 200 and over past 12 months 2,000 corporate & school volunteers have worked with the Group on revegetation projects at the Reserve

Local Government Caring for Land

This Award is made to a local government organisation that is collaborating with its community to care for our catchments by preserving and managing its local environment and natural resources, encouraging a caring for our catchments ethic and action in the local community, and cooperating with neighbouring organisations, businesses, other councils and landowners.

The nominees were:

• Melton Shire Council
• City of Whitehorse
• Manningham City Council
• Mornington Peninsula Shire
• Shire of Yarra Ranges

The winner:   Manningham City Council

• delivers a range of innovative community capacity, support and awareness programs in partnership with local Landcare Groups, Melbourne Water, EPA, Waterwatch etc
• coordinates 23 Rabbit Action Groups to deliver rabbit control programs across 2,200 properties, including public land
• has a strategic approach to formation of new Landcare Groups/Network and aims to have a Landcare Group working in each of the four creek catchments in the Green Wedge zone
• delivers a wide variety environmental education programs, courses and events and produces high quality interpretive materials and booklets
• provides a diverse range of incentive programs to private landholders to protect, manage and improve the environmental values of their land
• has established an program to engage local businesses in a business sustainability and behaviour change program to lessen business’ environmental impact 
• recognises the environmental work of schools and residents through awards programs 

 Judges' Special Commendation - Melton Shire Council

Melton Shire has undertaken significant environmental asset mapping, implements a range of environmental education programs, actively supports its local Friends of and Landcare Groups and provides incentives for landholders. Melton Shire was highly commended for its commitment to preserving, managing and enhancing the local environment.

Young People Caring for Land

This Award is made to a primary or secondary school, or youth group (eg Scouts/Guides), either as a unit, class, or special group. The Award is for the school or group’s contribution to raising awareness, knowledge and understanding of caring for our catchments amongst students and/or the community, and for implementing caring for our catchments practices on its own property or within the local community.

The nominees were:

• Balnarring Primary School
• Badger Creek Junior Landcare Group
• The Peninsula School
• The Patch Primary School

The winner:    Balnarring Primary School

• demonstrates the school’s high level of environmental commitment by embedding sustainability principles across the whole school in facilities, curriculum and programs
• has formed strong and effective partnerships with a range of outside organisations, eg Melbourne Water and Mornington Peninsula Shire, to implement programs that increase knowledge, awareness and skills among students, teachers and the community
• 15 years ago, parents, teachers and community members in Balnarring formed a sub-committee to develop and manage a wetlands site adjacent to the primary school. The Balbirooroo Community Wetlands Management Plan provides strategic direction for both the school and community in their on-going efforts to enhance and manage the wetlands
• work at the wetlands has included construction and placement of nest boxes in trees, interpretive signage, and provision of habitat for fauna species, e.g. Growling Grass Frogs
• regular school and community working bees at the wetlands continue the on-going and large scale revegetation efforts to enhance and develop the wetlands
• has developed a range of resources, including flora and fauna information booklets, to help raise awareness and an appreciation for the local environment
• the school’s BEAT kids (ie Balnarring Environmental Action Team) undertake weed control, planting and propagation activities and produce a newsletter on sustainability
• developed a sustainability area to reduce waste, increase knowledge and skills  
• is a carbon neutral and carbon sink school and one of only 43 5-star Sustainable schools throughout Australia