Celebrating the Women in Landcare

Landcare wouldn’t be where it is today without these women – our members, volunteers, staff, Board, organisational partners, and supporters who give their time, knowledge, and passion to care for the land, the environment, and their communities.

Whether they’re restoring habitats, leading workshops, mentoring the next generation, or working behind the scenes to make it all happen, their impact reaches far and wide. To all the women in Landcare – thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to caring for the land and building stronger resilient communities. You inspire us every day.

And a very special thank you to the incredible women pioneers (including Betty, Rosalynd, Kay, Diana, and Sue – all pictured here) who helped establish the Landcare movement. Your vision and dedication laid the foundation for everything we continue to build today.

Landcare NSW Women in Leadership

“we are stronger together”

We have recently profiled a few of our fabulous female leaders within Landcare NSW on social media, in honour of International Women’s Day (#MarchForward), to recognised their ongoing leadership and strength they are bringing to Landcare NSW.

Kathy Kelly, Landcare NSW Board Treasurer

“As women in Landcare, ‘March Forward’ means we can make that difference for future generations.”

Jodie Lovell, Program Manager (Landcare Enabling Program)

“Each of us can continue to embrace the leader within, step into our power, and make positive change for our environment which is needed now more than ever.”

Olivia Meredith, Shared Services Manager (Landcare Enabling Program)

“I find working for Landcare NSW makes you feel good and is good for your soul. The people are its greatest asset.”

Marni Holden, Acting General Manager (Landcare NSW)

“I am incredibly proud of the women in Landcare. Together, we are shaping a holistic and progressive path forward.”

We will continue to highlight our people in the days and weeks to come, so make sure you follow us to hear their stories:

Facebook  | @LandcareNSW

Instagram  | @landcare_nsw

LinkedIn  | #landcareNSW

X  | @LandcareNSW

Congratulations Bev

Bev Debrincat, from Greater Sydney Landcare, has been featured in DARE magazine for her volunteering work.

“Volunteering is so rewarding as you don’t get hung up on pay rises and entitlements. If you want to take extended holidays or frequent holidays you can. And the Australian natural environment with its flora and fauna is amazing – get out there and be inspired. The more you do, the more you are able to do.” – Bev Debrincat

Read full article here

Betty Bradney’s journey

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

In 1970, Betty was teaching English at Narrandera High while her husband Allan ran his engineering workshop. Their lives changed forever when they won a farm in the Coleambally land ballot.

The first sight of their new property was enough to be brought to tears: a square mile of desert with a lone water wheel standing on its fins in the rock-hard red soil, the nearest tree a mile away. This is the point where Betty becomes an environmentalist, on a mission to regenerate and heal the land.

Coleambally grew and prospered, thanks to a wonderful interactive community. Locals started a Landcare group and the family enthusiastically joined. Betty still thinks of all the local Landcare plantings when she visits Coleambally.

Years later, when their family moved back to Narrandera, Betty found her place by volunteering. Betty attended a Garden Club meeting, where the guest speaker was from the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists, from there, she joined Narrandera Landcare Group.

Betty is our resident weeder, battling invasive plants and nurturing native species like wattles and banksias. At the recent National Tree Day, she was spotted using a mattock, relentlessly chipping away at lippia. “It is something that needs doing and that I was capable of doing,” Betty said.

“Catheads – They are all over our town, in great fan patterns on the cycleways and footpaths.

Burrs – including bathurst burr, noogoora, khaki weed, and spiny emex.

Tree of heaven – an invasive woody weed, spreading from the common to the canal banks.”

“I have to say wattles and how each area has its own species e.g. Acacia cardiophyllla, the Wyalong wattle, one of the best garden trees – is handsome, drought and frost-resistant and grows to 3 meters.

Banksias – integrifolia is the easiest. A big tree for local gardens.

Brachychiton’s – Flame tree, lacebark, bottle tree and the good old kurrajong. I have all of these in my garden, though the kurrajongs are planted by birds and transplanted wherever.”

“Koala, echidna and rakali. I used to be a team leader at the koala counts until a few years ago. We are lucky to have rakali in the wetland, they help to control carp”

“Just come along, it is well worth your time.”