Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) will celebrate the important contribution made to the environment by our volunteers at the 2008 Landcare Awards held at Zinc, Federation Square, next Saturday 6 September.
The biennial awards focus on people making a difference either as individuals, through groups and organisations by tackling some of the big issues in Melbourne’s catchments.
Chief Executive Officer of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority Mr David Buntine said the theme for Landcare Week 2008 is Landcare Heroes.
“While we have ambassadors like actor Jack Thompson promoting Landcare to the wider public, this is the opportunity to highlight the vital work of our unsung local heroes who give thousands of hours of their time to care for and improve our environment,” Mr Buntine said.
There are 11 categories in this year’s Landcare Awards – with five outstanding nominations in the award for an Individual Caring for Public Land category.
“Volunteers come from all sectors of the community, working to restore degraded environments, improve and preserve endangered flora and fauna and wetlands, and revive parklands and natural corridors for the benefit of wildlife and the community,” Mr Buntine said.
“This particular award demonstrates the power of one – the ability and dedication of an individual to take initiative in working for the environment, but also to inspire others to take up the challenge in the face of increasing pressures of climate and development. These individuals are our home-grown, backyard heroes,” he said
To the many volunteers who come into contact with Ted Harris of Baxter, on the Mornington Peninsula, he is a tireless, humble hero with exceptional energy.
Ted has been nominated as a founder and first president of the Warringine Friends Group and also cares for bushland for Watson Creek Landcare Group, Friends of Snow Gums, Sages Cottage and Baxter Park. He has also taken on the rejuvenation of the railway environs at the back of his home and is described as a ‘driving force’ in habitat protection.
His early work with local rangers brought him particular knowledge of care of our catchments, weed eradication and rejuvenation of degraded bushland.
“The environment and native animals are my passion, and while I am always learning I am always educating and encouraging others to do their bit – and I see the interest in Landcare growing year by year,” Ted said.
Other nominees for an Individual Caring for Public Land include:
Julia Davis: Montmorency Field Naturalists - was a founding member of the Montmorency Field Naturalists and has spent nearly 40 years volunteering in the Nillumbik/Banyule area, carrying out monitoring and restoration work at Plenty’s Heard Avenue Reserve, holding educational forums and encouraging young people in environmental practices.
Arnie Azaris, President, Sunbury Conservation Society: a strong advocate for Landcare practices through talks and demonstrations and planning and organising committees associated with caring for catchments. Arnie encourages student involvement and environmental activities and sponsors environment awards.
John Wardzyynski, co-ordinator, Banyule Wetlands Waterwatch Group: has a long career as a volunteer, implementing practices caring for the Middle Yarra Catchment through the Port Phillip and Western Port Waterwatch team. He documents water testing, wildlife and vegetation in Banyule area and instigated Viewbank College’s water monitoring program.
Karen Garth, Mt Toolebewong Landcare – is a high achiever in developing and organising Landcare practices: plantings and maintenance of bush corridors, initiating programs in the Moorandarah catchment area surrounding Badger Creek Primary School. She established Junior Landcare at the local primary school; trains and assists students and individuals in activities such as propagation and water sampling.
The 2008 Landcare Awards will be announced at Melbourne’s Zinc, Federation Square on September 6, with special guests actress Kerry Armstrong and Arron Wood, Director Firestarter Communications.
Winners of the Regional Landcare Awards will be nominated for the 2009 Victorian Landcare Awards.
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