Region shines in Landcare awards

The region shared in two NSW Landcare Awards, when Nari Nari Tribal Council and Ivanhoe Central School were both announced as winners at an online award ceremony held last week.

Nari Nari Tribal Council was named the winner of the KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award, which acknowledges an outstanding Indigenous community group or individual that is working towards improving land use and/or enhancing or protecting an area on behalf of the community.

Nari Nari’s successful nomination was on the back of land management at Gayini Conservation Area, in the Low Bidgee region, between Maude and Balranald.

Runner-up was the Hunter Aboriginal Ranger Team, based in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney.

Ivanhoe Central School was announced as the winners of the Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award. The award acknowledges a school, youth organisation or young community Landcare team that contributes to raising awareness, sharing knowledge and promoting participation of landcare amongst young people.

The award also recognises Junior Landcare teams who implement landcare practices within the local community or school.

“The Ivanhoe community was brought together. Students now have a greater understanding of their environment, together with a sense of achievement, worth and belonging,” their nomination read.

The tiny Ivanhoe School beat out much larger counterparts Bexhill Public School and Grosse View Public School to be named the winner.

Regional finalist Marg Bull was also celebrated, for her work at ‘Oakville’ Conargo.

Mrs Bull has transformed 200 hectares of land by protecting remnant vegetation, managing invasive species, planting local vegetation and completing a connected corridor project.

The two winners will now progress to the National Landcare Awards, to be announced at a gala event at Darling Harbour on August 24.