It was such a wonderful opportunity to look around people’s properties and talk to land managers about what inspires them to manage their resources for the future.
The tour started when over 30 people climbed onto two buses and travelled to David and Mary Marsh’s property ‘Allendale’.
From the vantage points we had good views of direct seeding plots, some biodiversity plantings and sown perennial pastures which have facilitated return of native species.
The buses then travelled along Frogmore road to visit Erik and Leanne Leihn’s property ‘Little Forest’, where effective holistic management techniques and property planning have enabled a wide range of benefits including increased biodiversity and improved livestock production.
John and Liz Baker showcased their tree and shrub plantings at ‘Old Hovells Creek Church’ and Dr Damon Oliver added another dimension to the story by reporting on bird counts and ongoing monitoring in the area at afternoon tea at the charming ‘Old Graham’.
Gordon Refshauge undertook a delightful interview with Muriel Abraham, with wide views of her family’s gully restoration plantings at ‘Gidgall’ along the Darbys Falls road.
The final stop before the awards celebration at the Frogmore Hall, was McDonald’s Farm Trees & Shrubs at Darbys Falls.
Visitors to the nursery were in awe of the scale and quality of the tube stock in the inspiring location.
Frogmore locals, hosted over 50 people for the awards dinner which was a great opportunity to publicly acknowledge the quiet achievements of our special land carers.
Landcare NSW Chair Rob Dulhunty was thrilled to present awards to Hovells Creek recipients: Walker family (in honour of the late Geoff Walker), Allan and Monica McDonald and Muriel Abraham.
Boorowa Community Landcare Group recognised Nicky Merriman, Andrew Southwell and David Marsh for inspiring others to make the connection between environmental health and long-term viability.
The day was such a success, not only because it got people out in the paddock to be inspired by others achievements; but because it started conversations between Landcare groups and their stakeholders about challenges and opportunities.
As Muriel Abraham said, this is the real essence of Landcare; ‘It’s more than planting trees, it’s about creating community’.
