More than 120 people attended a dinner at University of New England’s historic Robb College Dining Hall on Thursday night, to celebrate the efforts and achievements of Landcare award finalists from around the New England and North West regions.

Pictured left are the awardees in the New England region with presenter, Sally Wright from Wongwibinda (left).

New England North West Landcare’s, Mrs Stephanie Cameron, took part in the event as Chair of the host organization.

“Last night, we celebrated the efforts and achievements of so many wonderful volunteers,” said Mrs Cameron.

“What they do to improve the sustainability of local environments, whether it be on-farm or in our urban spaces, is nothing short of amazing,” she said.

“Last night we got to see just a snapshot of what they have been achieving, and it’s so exciting to know that our region is in such good hands,” she said.

In the New England region, winners were:

• Rebecca Smith from Guyra, who took out the Individual Landcarer Award
• Kelly Walsh from Glen Innes, who took out the Young Landcare Leader Award
• Jane O’Brien from Inverell, who took out the Landcare Facilitator/Coordinator Award
• The Aboriginal Reference Advisory Group, who took out the Indigenous Land Management Award
• Armidale High School Bushcare Group “BC2”, who took out the Junior Landcare Team Award, and
• Inverell Community Gardens, who took out the Landcare Community Group Award.

In the North West region, winners were:

• Brett Coble from Tamworth, who took out the Individual Landcarer Award
• Tim Duncan from Tamworth, who took out the Young Landcare Leader Award
• Gwydir Shire Council, who took out the Partnerships with Landcare Award
• Scott and Sarnia Walker & family from Upper Horton, who took out the Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices Award, and
• Adventure Landcare Tamworth, who took out the Landcare Community Group Award.

New England North West Landcare and its eight member networks from across the region, would like to congratulate all the award finalists and recipients and thank them for their hard and consistent work to better our region.

“We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and the North West Local Land Services for their support and assistance during the last 12 months. It’s with their help that we can enable such great work on the ground,” said Mrs Cameron.

This event was funded with assistance from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.