News Archives

Citizen Science for Summer fun

We love Citizen Science here at HQ, and indeed all across the Landcare landscape, so that’s why we have compiled some great Citizen Science Projects to keep the summer holidays ‘I’m bored’ comments down to a minimum.

StreamWatch & Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a national citizen science program, involving landholders, community groups and schools, and aims to engage communities in monitoring and protecting the health of local waterways.

Streamwater is a citizen science water monitoring program in the Greater Sydney region that enables community groups to monitor the quality and health of local waterways.

Participants can take an active role in monitoring the health of their local catchments by conducting monthly water quality testing and optional seasonal surveys of aquatic macroinvertebrates, to understand and monitor the health of their rivers, and provide quality assured data, which is uploaded to an online database. With the data they collect, communities can influence the management of their local waterways and take direct action.

If you are in Greater Sydney click here to register your interest

If you are in all other part of NSW click here to register your interest

WetlandSnap

WetlandSnap is a photopoint monitoring citizen science initiative designed to engage and mobilise communities in public and private areas to capture to help track environmental conditions at wetlands and rivers and how they change over time. Images and spatial information from WetlandSnap sites and one-off snapshots from other sites are intended to be openly available for visualisation, outreach, research, and other purposes.

You will need a camera

To register your interest click here https://wetlandsnap.com/

Hungry Parrots Project

This project helps collect data on the natural & novel diets of wild parrots in Australia, especially in the aftermath of the recent bushfires, when native food supplies are low.

Whenever you see a parrot feeding on something, stop and take a photo! Also take a photo of the food item (i.e. the tree species) and the foraging residue left behind (i.e. the dropped fruit pieces).

You will need: Something to take photos (phone or camera), something to upload the data (phone or computer), a notebook, a GPS

To participate in this project contact Erika Roper at erikamroper@gmail.com

Waterbug Blitz Training Survey

If you are interested in rivers, streams, wetlands, ponds, oxbows or even farm dams, then join the Waterbug Blitz as they figure out how many of Australia’s waterways are in good nick, and how many need a bit more TLC.

Simply using a net and an app to have a closer look at your local waterways. By identifying the littler animals (waterbugs) that live in them, you can learn a lot about freshwater ecology, and also how healthy these water bodies are.

To find out more click here

National FrogID

FrogID is a national citizen science project that is helping the Australian Museum learn more about what is happening to Australia’s frogs. All around the country, people are recording frog calls with nothing more than a smartphone.

Australia has over 240 known species of frog, almost all of which are found nowhere else in the world. Some species are flourishing, like the Striped Marsh Frog. But others have declined dramatically since the 1980s, and four have become extinct.

To get involved click here

Fairy Wren Project

Do you see fairywrens? Fair Wren Project are looking for citizen scientist partners across Australia to help collect observations of fairywrens and their plumages. Whether you’re a serious twitcher or enjoy seeing fairywrens in your garden, your observations help!

When you see fairywrens, submit an eBird checklist to check how many individuals of each plumage type you saw in the species comments, separating codes with a space:

b = bright male, i = intermediate male, d = dull male, f = female, j = juvenile, u = unknown dull

For more information and the register click here https://fairywrenproject.org/participate/

Support for regional mental health growing through connections

How seriously do you take your mental health and is it the same as looking after any other part of your body? This is a question that Gotcha4Life Chairman and Founder, Gus Worland, asks communities.

After experiencing first-hand the devastating impacts of mental illness in his own personal journey, Gus has made it his life mission to support communities’ mental fitness and ability to support and address issues related to mental illness.

“Our vision at Gotcha4Life is a world where people are open, honest and supportive in their relationships and comfortable to express themselves when they are not OK. We envisage a society in which everyone has a Gotcha4Life mate who they can open up to, warts and all and rely on no matter what.

“Our partnership with Landcare NSW will help create and facilitate these conversations. The past couple of years have been devastating for so many rural and regional communities so we’re working with Landcare NSW to help provide support where it is needed most,” said Gus Worland.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Coordinator and Central West Regional Representative, Marg Applebee said she looks forward to facilitating workshops and events in the Parkes region.

“Gus is so fantastic at engaging with the community and it was such a pleasure to have him and his wife (and Co-Founder) Vicky come to Parkes. They are such great people and really work with you to build a strong mental health network and help establish strategies to support your community.

“The Gotcha4Life team are working towards the goal of zero suicides and focus on prevention through connection. The fact that they are doing this without Government funding and are working with people and partners such as Landcare NSW really shows their willingness to go anywhere to help raise awareness of the importance of working on your mental health, as you would your physical health,” says Marg Applebee.

Landcare NSW has been working in collaboration with Gotcha4Life to develop a support network for local Landcare communities to have access to the services Gotcha4Life provides. Most recently, Landcare NSW has formed a coalition with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMPH).

“After an initial partnership with Gotcha4Life, Landcare NSW has also built a further partnership with RAMPH and Surf Life Saving NSW to ensure that all Landcare NSW communities have the opportunity to build their mental fitness and have access to the support they need,” says Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit.

“The past 18 months have been devastating for our communities. Both adults and children are dealing with so many mental health challenges, which has only been exacerbated by drought, bushfires and COVID-19 so by building support networks we hope to successfully make a difference to everyone. No matter their age.”

MEDIA RELEASE: Four new Life Members to Landcare NSW Honour Roll

10th December, 2020

Four new Life Members to Landcare NSW Honour Roll

Landcare NSW welcomed four new Honorary Life Members recently when their AGM was held in Sydney.

Praising their dedication to the movement, role in the development of Landcare NSW and the NSW Landcare movement and guiding the direction of all levels of Landcare, Landcare NSW Chair Steph Cameron said she was pleased to be able to honour their achievements.

“These four individuals have ensured that Landcare NSW and Landcare in NSW have flourished and grown in capacity and strength. Where we are would not have occurred without their passion and dedication to the cause.”

“I would like to thank Sonia Williams for her extraordinary contribution to Landcare in New England region and her pivotal role to development of Landcare NSW.

“Keith Hyde, our tireless Landcarer whose advocacy on a local, regional, state and national level has had major contributions across many areas in Landcare and the environment, especially policy, including representing NSW on the National Landcare Network (NLN) Members Council.

“Stuart Mosely, who has stood on the committee since 2011 and was very active in its early stages and major figure in development of Landcare in Western NSW who also stood as a State Representative on the NLN. And finally, Chris Scott, one of the founders of Landcare NSW, who stood as Chairman of the NSW Landcare Committee and has been involved with Landcare for the past 20 years, contributing to the development of the movement at all levels.   Landcare NSW couldn’t have made it through the last ten years without them.

“Sonia, Keith, Stuart and Chris are reflections of why Landcare NSW is such a strong movement of change and something all Landcarers across the state should be proud of.

“I can’t thank them enough for all that they have done,” Steph said.

Representative of Lachlandcare and Landcare NSW Executive Committee Member, Keith Hyde, commended Steph and the Landcare NSW Council and staff, saying it had been a pleasure to be involved in the growth of the state body and movement.

“It’s been a really terrific journey in Landcare. The faces may have changed, but the atmosphere has not changed, and we have all worked really well together.

“It’s been a really great experience and I thank everyone involved in making my time with Landcare NSW so enjoyable,” Keith said.

Media Releases

Media Release – Mid Coast to Tops Landcarer Chris Scott awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Media Release – LachLandcare representative Keith Hyde awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Media Release – Western Landcare representative Stuart Mosely awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Media Release – Armidale Landcarer Sonia Williams awarded Life Membership with Landcare NSW

Media Release: Landcare NSW and OzFish driving fish habitat improvements in NSW

Joint Media Release

Monday 30th November

The Landcare NSW and OzFish partnership to deliver improved fish habitat in NSW has achieved close to one million dollars of habitat restoration work in its first twelve months.

With an initial investment from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts of $200 000, the two groups have attracted an additional $330,000 cash investment and over $500,000 in-kind support into fish habitat restoration work for the state’s inland rivers and coastal waterways.

The partnership focuses on local groups coming together to determine their waterway’s fish habitat needs and to take action to improve it. Under the expert guidance from the OzFish team, groups devised a range of projects including, re-snagging, trash racks, re-planting, fish monitoring, weeding, fencing and clean-ups.

Cassie Price, OzFish’s Director of Habitat Programs said, ‘We know everyone is having a challenging year, but it is amazing what Landcare and OzFish volunteers have achieved together despite the conditions out there on the ground.

“There are now 14,300 more trees along NSW riverbanks that will provide shade and stable water temperatures, insect fall and eventually snags for fish. Sixty more snags in our rivers installed which will provide instant homes, shelter and food for fish, along with 30km of riverbank weeded, cleaned up and restored. Plus a trash rack stopping litter, eight engagement events, and a search for a lost fish in Sydney.”

The real value in the partnership was seen in the mobilisation of five hundred recreational fishers and Landcarers who got involved in a wide variety of new restoration initiatives bringing ideas, energy and enthusiasm to the table and over 2,000 hours of volunteer time to improve their local waterway.

“There is a lot of work that goes into delivering these outcomes. It’s a credit to each of these communities, that they have dedicated groups willing to volunteer for their local rivers and for fish’ she said.

“We are happy to be celebrating the achievements of year one of our partnership, and the work continues,” Cassie said.

Landcare NSW CEO Adrian Zammit agreed, “Landcare NSW is thrilled to see this partnership deliver such amazing results for NSW. The results delivered so far are clear evidence that NRM challenges require close collaboration and partnerships between like-minded organisations.”

The project was made possible with funding support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and BCF Boating Camping and Fishing.

Media Release: RETHINK, RENEW, RECHARGE: 2022 NSW LANDCARE & LOCAL LAND SERVICES CONFERENCE

Thursday, 26 November 2020

RETHINK, RENEW, RECHARGE: 2022 NSW LANDCARE & LOCAL LAND SERVICES CONFERENCE

Landcarers from around the state will converge on the far north coast community of Tweed Heads in 2022 for the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference ‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’.

The conference was to be held next year, but unfortunately had to be postponed due to COVID–19 impacts. It will now take place on 15-17 March 2022 at the Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre in Tweed Heads.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said it would be fantastic to see the conference back after a three-year hiatus.

“The NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference presents an opportunity to bring together critical stakeholders across the land management space so that we can explore the trends, insights and strategies being used across our State,” Mr Marshall said.

“This means our land can be more diverse, productive and sustainable and we can empower landholders across the state to improve their local environment.

“Landcare, in conjunction with other stakeholders such as NSW Local Land Service, are working on innovative and interesting projects – several of which I have been lucky enough to see firsthand, such as the rehydration projects west of White Cliffs.

“Any edge we can give those who care for our land, whether farmers, not-for-profits or Government, is critical as cycles become less predictable, and I can’t wait to see what concepts and ideas come out of the 2022 Conference to achieve this.”

Chairperson of Landcare NSW, Stephanie Cameron said it was exciting to announce the go-ahead for the conference on the beautiful north coast.

“It will be particularly special for Landcarers to come together to learn and collaborating after tough times of drought, bushfires and COVID–19,” she said.

‘Rethink, Renew, Recharge’ is hosted by Local Land Services and Landcare NSW with the support of the North Coast Regional Landcare Network.

The conference will bring together a range of environmentally-associated organisations representing industry, not-for-profits, governments, research bodies and businesses as well as grass-roots volunteers.

State Chair of Local Land Services Richard Bull said the conference is about recognising that every day, countless people across NSW are doing their bit to grow and protect healthy environments.

“It is about celebrating everyone’s efforts, from the farmer planting a corridor of trees on his or her property to the urban-based Landcare group cleaning up a local creek,” Mr Bull said.

The three-day event will feature expert speakers and testimonies of Landcarers from around the state who will challenge delegates to rethink how they can best care for land and waterways.

There will be chances for those at the conference to renew their efforts by tapping into the latest research and learning new skills such as new skills in areas such as coast care and regenerative agriculture.

A choice of field trips will be on offer, giving participants the opportunity to recharge the batteries through visiting successful project sites and local places of great natural beauty.

The conference will also include the NSW Landcare awards.

The venue at Tweed Heads has been chosen because it is large enough to allow social distancing measures to be implemented if required.

More than 320 delegates and guests attended the most recent NSW Landcare and Local Land Services conference in Broken Hill last year.

“It will be great to see networks and partnerships that were forged in the outback in 2019 strengthened in the very different environment of the north coast in 2022,” said Chris Roberts from North Coast Regional Landcare Network.

The last time the conference was held on the north coast was at Port Macquarie in 2007.

Conference tickets will go on sale in 2021. Interested delegates and exhibitors can find updates at the conference website www.nswlandcareconference.com.au and by following ‘NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference’ on Facebook.

Media: Matthew Burgess, NSW Local Land Services, 0412 795 307

Samantha Stratton, Landcare NSW

Meet the 2021 Landcare NSW Council and Executive Committee

During the Landcare NSW Inc. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 18 November, Landcare NSW members nominated six Landcare Council Members and three Independent Representatives to the 2021 Executive Committee. The endorsed Regional representatives were unopposed thereby being automatically selected. The Executive Committee for 2021 is as follows:

Stephanie Cameron (Chair)
Bev Debrincat (Vice Chair)
Hunter White (Treasurer – invited skills-based member)
Marg Applebee (Secretary)
Gareth Johnston (committee member)
Adrian Wells (committee member)
Bruce Rolph (invited skills-based member)
Kathy Kelly (invited skills-based member)
Georgia Rivers (invited skills-based member)

The Landcare NSW Council for 2021 is as follows:

Lyn Thomson – North Coast 1
Chris Roberts – North Coast 2
Stephanie Cameron – North West
Vacant* – New England
Vacant* – LachLandcare 1
Vacant* – LachLandcare 2
Vacant* – Central Tablelands
Marg Applebee – Central West
Paul Quirk – Hunter
Robyn Lamond – Mid Coast 2 Tops
Bev Debrincat – Greater Sydney 1
John Asquith – Greater Sydney 2
Vacant* – Western 1
Vacant* – Western 2
Gareth Johnston – Murrumbidgee
Adrian Wells – Murray
Neil McLaren – South East 1
Steve Bunnell – South East 2
Vacant – Youth Representative

Landcare NSW Chair Steph Cameron also expressed her thanks to outgoing Councillors for the highly valued role they have played:

Keith Hyde – LachLandcare
Chris Post – Far South Coast
Leslie Pearson – Upper Hunter
Louise Turner – Western
Frances Young – North West
Lyn Booth – Mid Coast 2 Tops
Stuart Mosely – Western

*No Nominations received from the Regional Body/Groups for the November 2020 Council Meeting, therefore could not be included in the Endorsed Members presented at the Landcare NSW AGM November 2020.

Building connections and knowledge throughout the NSW Landcare and Aboriginal community

Building understanding and collaboration is a key component of Aboriginal cultural understanding and NSW Landcarers are developing those skills with the introduction and increase of regional and local community workshops.

Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Craig Aspinall, says there continues to be strong demand for Aboriginal cultural awareness throughout the Landcare community and this is a key theme area of the recently launched “Working Together” Aboriginal Engagement Program by Landcare NSW and the NSW Landcare Program.

“Many Landcare groups across the state have been working together with local Aboriginal people for many years developing strong partnerships and understandings in traditional land management practices.

“Activities such as Aboriginal Culture Awareness Training builds on those existing partnerships and knowledge and allows all people who care for the land to find common values and help empower local communities,” Craig said.

WORKSHOPS FACILITATE CONVERSATION AND UNDERSTANDING

The Central Tablelands Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Liz Davis, who instigated and organised the workshops, says her experiences taking part and facilitating such opportunities for community members have been met with enthusiasm.

“Having worked with some of the Aboriginal communities in the Central West and Central Tablelands regions of NSW over the last 15 years, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to engage the coordinators in a meaningful way that respected culture and gave them the opportunity to learn new skills looking at landscape and understanding the processes & protocols required by culture and by legislation.

“So far, we’ve held two events one in Bathurst and one in Orange. Each of these have been one-day events and has included being on country with members of the Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and Greg Ingram, Aboriginal Officer for Central Tablelands Local Land Services. It’s imperative with any engagement to work with local Aboriginal people and therefore we have been engaging with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils to be part of this engagement as we move across the landscape of the central tablelands.

“(The workshops cover topics such as) Culture: how it works family, totems, Elders, women and men’s business, Sorry Business, colonisation, significant sites. Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH) responsibilities under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in NSW. These are all crucial in engaging and understanding Aboriginal Cultural processes.”

“The feedback I get time and time again is that people are seeing things differently to when they started. They are seeing more physical evidence of traditional land management practices and gained a greater sense of culture on country,” Liz said.

“Participants spoke about being ‘the beginning of something’ and ‘ taking time to develop a relationship, identifying opportunities to work together on common interests’ and that ‘the demonstration of an AHIMS search was very valuable to coordinators, as they can also show their members and volunteers how to search, and encourage landholders to register sites’”.

One of the participants and Regional Landcare Coordinator for the Central Tablelands, Sharon Cunial, said the workshops created a space to have open and frank conversations to learn from one another and understand the long history of the region and the connection to country Aboriginal people have.

“The workshops are a very relaxed space with flowing conversation and rolling anecdotes between us as the participants and our very knowledgeable Wiradjuri presenters. Greg has a real skill in creating a safe and open space to share and learn so by the end of the day you feel like you’ve had a great chat but you’ve definitely learned a great deal along the way through storytelling and sharing.

“I learnt a lot. We had two sessions. In the first session we went to Mount Panorama-Wahluu near Bathurst and the second session we visited Mount Canobolas (Ghannabulla). I grew up on the slopes of Mt Canobolas but didn’t realise how significant it is to Wiradjuri people.

“I feel that these activities have broken down a lot of barriers and I feel more confident to contact the Aboriginal representatives in the Central Tablelands region,” Sharon said.

FURTHER ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE LANDCARE COMMUNITY

With the next round of workshops to be held in Wellington and Mudgee in December – supported by funded under the “Working Together” Small Grants Program, Craig said he is looking forward to joining the Central Tablelands community for the workshops and expanding their Aboriginal community connections.

“It’s really encouraging to see groups embracing this opportunity and I urge other Landcare and Aboriginal community groups and organisations to apply for the funding. There’s up to $2,000 available to support locally-driven collaboration activities to ensure Aboriginal people become more immersed in the Landcare movement in NSW,” Craig said.

To find out more about the Working Together Small grants program or about the Aboriginal Engagement Program click here.

Landcare NSW welcomes new skills-based members to Executive Committee

At the recent Annual General Meeting held in Sydney on 18 November 2020, the members of Landcare NSW appointed three new skills-based members to the Executive Committee. The three new directors were recommended by the Nominations & Governance Sub-committee following an expression of interest process.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the new skills-based members will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Executive.

Kathy Kelly
Kathy is a Chartered Accountant with over thirty years of board level experience across the public, commercial and not for profit sectors, with particular experience in agriculture and agribusiness. Her background as a registered company auditor and tax agent provide specialised skills to contribute to board positions. Kathy has a Bachelor of Economics and is a Registered Company Auditor. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand. Kathy is passionate about rural and regional areas and the people and businesses in those communities.

Georgia Rivers
Georgia is a highly regarded senior executive in the cultural, tourism and events sectors, with 25 years’ experience managing high profile institutions in Australia and the UK. Her primary specialisation is marketing and communications. Georgia has a Masters of Business in Marketing and has held senior marketing positions for several not-for-profit companies. She is also experienced in strategy development, fundraising, business development and team management. Georgia is a Board Member of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, a not-for-profit based on the work of thousands of volunteers. She is also on the Expert Advisory Committee for the Department of Primary Industries, advising on strategic planning for the heritage site Belgenny Farm.

Bruce Rolph
Bruce is passionately engaged in a range of environmental and sustainability projects, including as an office holder in a highly successful community-based heritage and environmental organisation, and as a long-time landowner and defender of a parcel of land in the Lower Hunter region that, although bushfire-impacted, still has outstanding biodiversity. Bruce’s career includes a wide range of senior management/leadership roles in both the public and private sector; investment banking and pioneering environmental advocacy; entrepreneurship and not-for-profits; and leading-practice governance. This is complemented by academic excellence in both economics/commerce and post-graduate environmental management (UNSW, Masters). Bruce is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

The 2021 Executive Committee also consists of:

Chair – Stephanie Cameron (North West region)
Vice Chair – Bev Debrincat (Greater Sydney region)
Treasurer – Hunter White (skills-based member)
Secretary – Marg Applebee (Central West region)
Committee member – Gareth Johnston (Murrumbidgee region)
Committee member – Adrian Wells (Murray region)

Landcare NSW ‘Working Together’ with Aboriginal communities during NAIDOC Week

Landcare NSW today celebrated a new look for the ‘Working Together’ Aboriginal Landcare Engagement Program to mark NAIDOC Week.

The Aboriginal Landcare Engagement Program is part of the NSW Landcare Program, a $22.4 million investment co-delivered by Landcare NSW and NSW Local Land Services and supported by the NSW Government.

Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, says the initiative within the NSW Landcare Program will increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.

“At the heart of this initiative is the goal of building engagement between Landcare and Aboriginal communities,” said Dr Zammit.

“Many Landcare groups have been working and collaborating successfully with Aboriginal Communities in local and regional contexts for many years. This program will provide a state-wide framework to support Aboriginal People to have a voice within Landcare; connect them with local Landcare Communities; and help share Traditional Land Management approaches.”

Driving the program is Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer Craig Aspinall who has been tasked with providing support and advice to Landcare NSW in developing mutually beneficial engagement and strengthened relations between Aboriginal Organisations and Landcare at local, regional and state levels across NSW.

“Since I commenced in the role in May 2020, numerous Landcare Groups have expressed their interest and desire in collaborating with Aboriginal people in some way. In many cases, people have a good idea of what they want to do. Some examples have included joint on-ground projects, interpretive signage, Welcome to Country & Cultural Workshops at a major local event, a cultural awareness activity for local Landcarers, a digital tool that can be used to record Aboriginal sites, an Aboriginal nursery supplying plants to Landcare – the list of ideas and options is countless,” said Mr Aspinall.

“Local people know their landscape, their stakeholders and their opportunities.

“The thing that excites me most is the prospect of facilitating opportunities for local Aboriginal and Landcare communities to collaborate, learn and share,” said Mr Aspinall.

Today the NSW Landcare Program unveiled the new-look branding for the initiative which will provide an identity and instil a sense of pride within NSW Aboriginal and Landcare communities.

A judging panel, formed by a Steering Committee, had the very challenging task of selecting a winner from so many wonderful Aboriginal artists from all over NSW.

The artwork titled “Working Together” was created by winning artist Jason Ridgeway – a proud Aboriginal artist from the Dunghutti Nation on the NSW Mid North Coast.

In describing his artwork, Jason said: “Working as one we will achieve all goals set in place to enjoy a beautiful future and keep our connections strong. If we don’t have a connection to country, then we don’t belong. Our land is precious – if we look after it, it will in return look after us. We as a people need to work together to help heal and look after changes to the land.”

Also announced was the launch of the “Working Together” Small Grants Program.

The small grants program seeks to support locally-driven collaboration activities to ensure that Aboriginal people become more immersed in the Landcare movement in NSW.

Grants of up to $2,000 are available to Aboriginal organisations and/or Landcare NSW Member Groups located within NSW.

To provide an additional incentive for Aboriginal communities to maintain ongoing engagement with the Landcare movement, successful applicants who are identified as an Aboriginal entity will also receive one year’s membership of Landcare NSW, which includes access to the full range of member benefits.

The NAIDOC 2020 Theme: “Always Was, Always Will Be.” recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. The NAIDOC theme acknowledges the original carers of the land, so it is even more special to us in the Landcare movement that we celebrate our own journey towards true Landcare and Aboriginal collaboration.

Information about NAIDOC, its history, events, etc can be found at www.naidoc.org.au

Notice of the 2020 Landcare NSW Annual General Meeting

On behalf of the Executive Committee of Landcare NSW Incorporated, please find below details for the Landcare NSW Incorporated Annual General Meeting for 2020.

The details regarding the Annual General Meeting are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, 241 O’Riordan St, Mascot NSW
A Zoom Meeting Link is also available: https://zoom.us/j/94396980958

AGM Agenda:
The Annual General Meeting is an important event for Landcare NSW Incorporated. Both the Chair’s Report and the audited Financial Report will be accessible to members prior to the meeting through the Governance link on the Landcare NSW website.

The business that will be conducted during the Annual General Meeting is outlined in the attached agenda, which can also be accessed through the following link: Agenda 2020

Special Resolution:
The AGM will also ask members to consider and vote upon the following:

Motion: That the changes in the Constitution, presented as the “Landcare Constitution 2020 V5.1” attached, to the notice of Special General Meeting dated 18 November 2020 are adopted in their entirety.

Background:
The proposed changes to the Landcare NSW Constitution are intended to update various clauses applicable to meet the requirements necessary to expand the membership categories. These changes have been under discussion for some years and embodied in the Landcare NSW strategic plans, past and current.

a. Landcare Group Member;
b. Associate Member;
c. Individual Member;
d. Endorsed Individual Member; and
e. Honorary Life Member.

Notice to Members by:
Margaret Applebee | Acting Secretary
Landcare NSW Inc.

Attachments:
Landcare NSW 2020 AGM and Special Resolution – Agenda
Constitution-Landcare-NSW-Inc-FINAL-NOV2017
Landcare Constitution 2020 – MARKED UP – V4.5
Landcare Constitution 2020 – V5.1 – For Approval