Dear group members, landcarers, councillors, and staff working on environment-related issues across Maribyrnong and Werribee catchments

The 11 award winners for the 2006 Port Phillip & Western Port Landcare Awards were announced at the regional Landcare Celebration function at Federation Square on Saturday.

2006 Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Landcare Awards
Winners

Caring for Waterways                                            
Winner: Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek                              

Caring for Nature                                                            
Winner: Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater                        

Indigenous Community Caring for Land                          
Winner: Worawa Aboriginal College                            

Individual Caring for Private Land                                
Winner:  Rosemary Knox                                                      

Primary Producer Caring for Land                                
Winner:  Graham Simpson                                              

Community Group Caring for Private Land              
Winner:  Newham & District Landcare Group          

Caring for Community Groups                                  
Winner:   Ray Radford                                                    

Individual Caring for Public Land                                
Winner: Pat Liffman                                                              

Community Group Caring for Public Land                    
Winner:   Darebin Parklands Association                      

Local Government Caring for Land                          
Winner:  Hume City Council                                      

Young People Caring for Land                                  
Winner: Balnarring Primary School Balbirooroo Community Wetlands

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The 2006 PPW Regional Landcare Awards included 11 categories, and a total of 58 nominations were received. Five separate judging panels were established to assess these nominations. Thank you to all the judges for their efforts in determining winners for each category, which in some cases was evidently not an easy task. I would also like to congratulate all those who were nominated for an award for their outstanding efforts, and special congratulations go to the winners from each award category.

The 11 winners from each award category were each given a framed certificate. The certificate frames are individually handcrafted from recycled and/or reclaimed timber by a local furniture maker. The winners from each category received a cash prize of $400. The winner from each category will be automatically (with their approval) entered into the same category at the 2007 Victorian landcare Landcare Awards.

Some details about each award category, including a few dots points from the awards presentation on each of the winners, is below.  

Caring for Waterways                                          
This award is made to a community organisation, person or group who has made a significant contribution to the sustainable management, rehabilitation and conservation of a waterway ecosystem (ie river, stream, creek or wetland)
The nominees were:                                                                
§        Jim Sansom, Newham and District Landcare Group
§        Rushing Waters, East Moorabool Landcare Group
§        Michael Anderson, Main Creek Catchment Landcare Group
§        Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Inc
§        Werribee River Association
Winner: Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek                              
§        established in 2001 to work on Kororoit Creek, and now has membership of over 90.
§        Keeps supporters involved and promotes activities through their website and newsletter
§        Uses plans and a Concept Map to guide activities along the creek such as planting
§        Is active in lobbying for a Strategic plan for the creek
§        Have planted over 20,000 indigenous plants, and are involved in pollution issues, increasing biodiversity, numerous activity days, working with industry, agencies and government, business, schools…and more
** Judges special commendation: The judges made a special acknowledgement for Jim Sansom, Founding President of Newham and District Landcare Group.  Jim has inspired many people in the community to become actively involved in Caring for Waterways in his region and we wish to recognise this outstanding contribution.

Caring for Nature                                                            
This award is made to a community organisation, a group or a person for excellence and innovation in implementing nature conservation activities on land outside formal parks and reserves.
The nominees:                                                                        
§        Ethel Tenby, Silverleaves Conservation Association
§        Joan Brunt, East Moorabool Landcare Group
§        Daniel Brindley, Main Creek Catchment Landcare Group
§        Toolern Vale Landcare Group
§        Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater
§        Michael Anderson, Main Creek Catchment Landcare Group
Winner: Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater                        
The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater were formed in 1989 and their focus of work is the swampland of Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve, 50km east of Melbourne
§        The group now has a membership of 200
§        Ambitious aims to protect the helmeted honeyeater as well as other threatened species
§        Well planned works and have established strategic links with others
§        Involved in the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan for the region
§        The group also runs an indigenous nursery, and so far have propagated some 350,000 plants
§        Published educational material, a website and have many awareness raising activities

Indigenous Community Caring for Land                          
This award is made to an indigenous community group that has adopted sound land management practices on public or private land, is working towards culturally sustainable land use and/or protecting and enhancing an area on behalf of the community.
The nominees:                                                                  
§        Worawa Aboriginal College
§        Weeroona Cemetery Committee of Management
§        Too-Rong Aboriginal Corporation Community Development Program
Winner: Worawa Aboriginal College                            
Worawa College, located near Healesville, is Victoria's only registered Independent Aboriginal College.The college has:
§        Prepared a long-term Property Management Plan based upon sustainable land use, cultural development, and improved habitat and biodiversity.
§        Planted for revegetation in accordance with the appropriate Ecological Vegetation Communities
§        Catered for environmentally sustainable economic activities on the property
§        Has incorporated the management of threatening process on the land with adjoining land owners, and
§        Has designated areas that will focus on cultural development & environmental education for students and interested members of the community.

Individual Caring for Private Land                                
This award is made to an individual working primarily on private land, and who carries out and promotes caring for our catchments through on-ground and awareness raising activities, as a volunteer.
The nominees:                                                                        
§        Meinhard Holz, Secretary & Facilitator, Cardinia Hills Landcare Group
§        Rosemary Knox, Member, Loch/Nyora Landcare Group
§        Joan Brunt, Member, East Moorabool Landcare Group
§        Mr & Mrs Morton, Members, Pentland Hills Landcare Group
Winner:  Rosemary Knox                                                        
Rosemary Knox has:
§        A 270 acre cattle farm in Loch, Gippsland, has completed15 Landcare projects over the past 20 years, an average of 500 trees per project
§        Created shelter belts and wildlife corridors, has controlled weeds and ameliorated erosion and has protected 14 acres of remnant bushland on the property
§        Involved in regular promotion of Landcare to the wider community
§        Significant contribution to the Loch/Nyora Landcare Group Committee active member for 20 years                                                                  ** Acknowledgement of outstanding contribution The judges also recognised the outstanding contribution made by Mienhard Holz, for his tireless work in the community on both private and public land. Meinhard passed away earlier this year and will be greatly missed by many people in the community. He was a local hero and a founder of the Cardinia Hills Landcare Group, and he assisted many landholders in battling weeds in the Cardinia Shire.  The judges took the opportunity to acknowledge his commitment to the community and the environment, and pay our respects to Meinhard and his family today.

Primary Producer Caring for Land                                
This award is made to a primary producer who has made significant contributions to caring for our catchments, shown thorough sound land management practices and sustainable productivity.
The nominees:                                                                      
§        Bob Gray, Member, Triholm Landcare Group
§        Mr & Mrs Noxon, Members, Main Creek Catchment Landcare Group
§        Graham Simpson, Member, Rowsley Landcare Group & Grow West
Winner:  Graham Simpson                                              
Graham Simpson has:
§        A 857ha mixed farm, near Bacchus Marsh, that ahs been used as a demonstration site of sustainable land management in the west
§        An active member of groups such as Rowsley Valley Landcare Group and Grow West
§        Significant contribution to research and control of rabbits
§        A leader in the eradication of weeds, and water saving practices in the community
§        Protected 68ha of remnant forest on the property
§        Has undertaken revegetation to reduce erosion, protect soil and enhance biodiversity

Community Group Caring for Private Land            
This award is made to a community group actively caring for our catchments primarily on private land, through adoption of sound land management practices.  The group is working towards sustainable land use and protection or enhancement of an area on behalf of the wider community.
The nominees:                                                                
§        Newham and District Landcare Group
§        Merriang District Landcare Group
§        French Island Landcare Group
Winner:  Newham & District Landcare Group          
§        Newham and District Landcare Group was formed in 2004, in the upper Maribyrnong catchment at the top of the Deep Creek, near Hanging Rock
§        membership already includes 58 households
§        Funding of over $150,000 secured so far
§        Has developed a vision for the district – connected corridors of vegetation along waterways
§        Action plans have been developed
§        25 property owners have participated in a Property Planning course
§        Other activities of the group include; Deep Creek works, Campaspe-Maribyrnong Headwaters Biolink, roadside vegetation managment, seed collection & propagation, weed control, information sessions

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:                                                                    
§        Michelle Gooding, Hobsons Bay City Council
§        Ray Radford, Friends of Merri Creek
§        Mienhard Holz, Cardinia Hills Landcare Group
§        Wayne Stephenson, SAGES, University of Melbourne
Winner:   Ray Radford                                                  
Ray has:
§        Been a volunteer with many community organisations since the 1970's
§        More than 15 years with Friends of Merri Creek and an Honorary Member since 2000
§        An active campaigner for a range of issues that have resulted in the protection and enhancement of the environment for the community
§        Contributes to many planting days, seed collecting and weed working bees

Individual Caring for Public Land                                
This award is made to an individual working primarily on public land, and who carries out and promotes the caring for our catchments through on-ground and/or awareness raising activities, as a volunteer.
The nominees:                                                                        
§        Peter Gurney, Landcare Coordinator, Bend of Islands Conservation Association
§        Pat Liffman, Secretary, Blackwood Barrys Reef Landcare Group
§        Alison Kuiter, Kananook Creek Association
§        Lyn Hovey, President, Greening of Riddell & Riddells Landcare Group
Winner: Pat Liffman                                                              
Pat has:
§        A history of working for the community for recognition, funding and action on a range of land issues, particularly weeds, in the Barrys Reef and Blackwood area
§        A major contributor as Convenor of the successful Pest Plants and Animals Working Group for the Wombat State Forest Project
§        Countless volunteer hours & energy towards working bees, raising awareness of environmental issues in the community, weed mapping and as an environmental advocate

Community Group Caring for Public Land                    
This award is made to a community group 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 protection or enhancement of an area on behalf of the wider community.
The nominees:                                                                        
§        Narre Warren South Friends of River Gum Creek Reserve
§        Coimadai Primary School
§        Friends of Wilson Reserve
§        Friends of George Street Reserve & Urban Forest
§        East Moorabool Landcare Group
§        Darebin Parklands Association
§        Greening of Riddell
§        Werribee River Association
§        French Island Landcare Group
§        Friends of Westona Wetlands
§        Corinella Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management
§        Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley
§        AGRA Drills Land Committee
§        Brunswick South-West Planters
Winner:   Darebin Parklands Association                      
This group has:
§        Transformed the Northcote Tip in Melbourne's inner north-east to create the Darebin Parklands over 30 yrs
§        A range of activities to create and enhance the bushland along the Darebin Creek including responsible cat ownership campaigns and a pollution hotline to report dumping and spills along the creek
§        Development of long term projects and action plans to ensure the effectiveness of the group

Local Government Caring for Land                          
This award is made to a local government organisation for excellence in preserving and managing its local environment, encouraging a landcaring ethic and action in the local community, as well as cooperation with neighbouring councils and landholders
The nominees:                                                                
§        Wyndham City Council
§        Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
§        Hume City Council
§        City of Whitehorse
§        Moorabool Shire Council
§        Bass Coast Shire Council
Winner:  Hume City Council                                      
Hume City Council has:
§        A comprehensive environment program across council, including a rebate and incentive scheme for landholders, investing over $3million per annum in a range of programs
§        Tracking environmental condition and reporting to residents through their State of Environment Report
§        Keeping residents informed and aware of environmental issues through newsletters, local newspapers
§        Supporting many groups, schools and agencies in on-ground works

Young People Caring for Land                                  
This award is made to a primary school, secondary school or youth group, either as a whole or 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 land amongst students and/or the community, and for implementing caring for land practices on its own property or within the local community.
The nominees:                                                                  
§        Bell Primary School
§        Balnarring Primary School Balbirooroo Community Wetlands
§        Coimadai Primary School
§        Romsey Primary School
§        Badger Creek Junior Landcare Group
§        Footscray City College
Winner: Balnarring Primary School Balbirooroo Community Wetlands
§        The Parents, teachers and community members  in Balnarring, formed a committee 13 years ago to manage a site adjacent to the school
§        Revegetation of the site with over 140,000 indigenous plants
§        Creation of a community wetlands including boardwalks and walking tracks, observation platforms and an information booklet that assist in raising awareness and appreciation of the environment
§        Many school projects that give the students a 'hands on' experience and an opportunity to learn about such things as water quality, frogs, invertebrates, planting and birdwatching
§        The group offers regular activities open to the broader community

Thank you to those were able to attend 2006 Port Phillip & Western Port Landcare Awards Celebration function at Federation Square on Saturday. I hope that you had an enjoyable day.

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regards

John
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John Robinson
Werribee and Maribyrnong Landcare Co-ordinator
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority
http://www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au

Based at:
Romsey Service Centre, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, 98 Main Street, Romsey

Postal address:
PO Box 140, Romsey, VIC 3434

Tel: (03) 5429 9629                                
Fax: (03) 5429 5828
Mobile: 0417 518 913
Email: John.Robinson@...      

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