The recent National Landcare Conference brought together hundreds of Landcarers, researchers, NRM practitioners, policy makers and community volunteers from across the country, and among them, a few representatives of community groups in the NACC NRM region.
NACC provided financial support to enable two of our hard-working community volunteers to attend the conference and reap the many benefits that flow from being at these kinds of events.
NACC Regional Landcare facilitator Stanley Yokwe said the support was much appreciated by the participating community members who said they got a lot out of the experience.
One of the subsidy recipients, Janet Richards, from Ledge Point Coastcare Group said the conference offered a valuable opportunity for her to connect with other environmental community group members from across the country.
“Coastcare is just ‘Landcare on the Edge’. I met people in an environment of common interest and support; volunteers, scientists, young Natural Resource Management Officers (as I think of them), government officials, as well as many eminent and inspiring individuals,” Janet said.
“[The] best learning experience (difficult as no talk was boring), was a presentation on “Step by Step Guide to Crowdfunding” by Rod Novotny of Landcare Australia.
“Thanks to Rod I am getting a copy of that presentation to share – hopefully in time for the forthcoming Regional Coastcarers Forum in Lancelin. The things I heard, and learnt, will help my projects better deliver for our coastal zone.
“These meetings have provided me with tools to reach and engage more of my community, showed me where to look for support, and have given me contacts from a broader community.
“The trip and conference were an invaluable experience for me and I thank NACC for the opportunity to attend the National Landcare Conference.”
The conference, which was convened by Landcare Australia, and the Australian and Victorian Governments – provided opportunities for Landcarers and Coastcarers from across the country to come together to learn from each other’s projects, successes and failures, and celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of the Landcare community from across Australia.
ABC Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis served as Master of ceremonies for the conference, kicking the event off with an address by former Governor General and National Soil Advocate, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, who delivered an inspirational speech entitled “Save the Soil, Save the Planet”.
NACC’s Regional Landcare Facilitator Stanley Yokwe said: “It was enriching to have a strong representation of NACC members, supporters, and partners at the conference.”
“The work that NACC does in the Northern Agricultural Region can really only be done through the support by hundreds of hard-working and dedicated community volunteers,” he said.
The community subsidy to attend the National Landcare Conference is administered by NACC through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme as part of the NACC Regional Landcare Facilitator project.
