The Lake Macquarie Landcare Resource Centre has celebrated the achievements of Landcare volunteers across the City at the Lake Macquarie Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards (EEL).

Landcare Coordinator, Jason Harvey, said the awards recognised the hard work and dedication of Landcare volunteers.

“The aims of the awards are to acknowledge the individuals and groups for their volunteer Landcare involvement at a grassroots level,” Jason said.

“Lake Macquarie Landcare greatly values the people that give time to restore, rehabilitate and conserve natural bushland reserves, parks, foreshores, estuaries, wetlands, creeks and coastal areas on Lake Macquarie City Council and Crown land.”

“Landcare volunteers are dedicated to supporting the environment by working on projects to remove environmental and noxious weeds, spreading mulch and by replanting treated areas in bushland reserves.”

“Other dedicated volunteers work eagerly at the Landcare Resource Centre, providing office support such as record keeping, fund raising and writing documents, and outdoor assistance such as maintenance work in the yard.”

The winners were as follows:

Newcomer Group Award

Environmental achievement for a group established for less than two years

• Chalkies Beach South – for dedicated work and involvement in Landcare
• Fishing Point – for dedicated work and involvement in Landcare

Long-standing Group

Environmental achievement for groups established for more than two years

• Arbre Close Landcare ‚Äì for consistent good work and positive community involvement
• Kanooka Landcare ‚Äì for consistent participation in Landcare
• Wyee Point Lifestyle ‚Äì for consistent participation in Landcare

Community Education

Spreading the Landcare ethic within the community

• Lois Simpson, Toronto Lions Park and Toronto Fire Station ‚Äì for promoting Landcare and encouraging community participation
• Steve Dewer, Warners Bay Landcare ‚Äì for promoting Landcare and encouraging community participation

Landcare Achievers Award

A Landcarer whose dedication to Landcare is an inspiration to everyone

• Charlene France, Lakeside Retirement Village Landcare ‚Äì for excellent involvement in Landcare projects and campaigns
• Roman Sabal, Kenibea Lancare ‚Äì for consistent and dedicated work
• Robyn Pollard, Kenibea Landcare ‚Äì for enthusiastic and consistent work
• Gerry Brice, Landcare Resource Centre ‚Äì for hard work and commitment at the Landcare Resource Centre

10-year Service Award

• Andy Simpson, Simpson Reserve – active in Landcare since 2003
• Ken MacPherson, Kilaben Bay – active in Landcare since 2003
• Winsome Lambkin, Floraville Ridge – active in Landcare since 2002
• John Fitter, Central Rankin Park – active in Landcare since 2002
• Vinette Diver, Blacksmiths Pelican – active in Landcare since 2001
• Craig Patrick, Farm Street – active in Landcare since 2000
• Wendy Patrick, Farm Street – active in Landcare since 2000
• Suzanne Pritchard, Coal Point – active in Landcare since 1997
• Robyn Gill, Coal Point – active in Landcare since 1997
• John Gill, Coal Point – active in Landcare since 1997
• Graham Couper, Green Point Foreshore Reserve – for his years of service as a dedicated and inspirational Landcare leader

Local Legends Award

A Landcarer who has made a colossal contribution

• Laurene Mulcahy – for great enthusiasm and effort in building Climate Ready Dora Creek Landcare Group
• Helen Gould – for regularly devoting time working with Morisset and District Landcare on reserves
• Neil Gibson – for working regularly on projects at Charlestown West Landcare
• Dianne Onslow – for her work as a dedicated and knowledgeable Landcarer at Coal Point
• Richard McFayden – for devoting time most days working at Kenibea Landcare Reserve

Special Award- Certificate of Recognition

• Stephanie Van Dijk, Belmont Wetlands State Park – for continued participation and contribution at the Belmont Wetlands
• Kirra Weigner, Belmont Wetlands State Park – for continued participation and contribution at the Belmont Wetlands
• Dianne Watson, Landcare Resource Centre – for continued dedication and assistance at the Landcare Resource Centre

Image | Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Jodie Harrison and Councillor Chad Griffith with Landcarers Garth and Margaret Chapman from Wangi Ridge Preservation Board Landcare at the Landcare Excellence Awards.