Opportunity to learn, share and connect
REGIONAL ROUNDUP - JUNE 2021 - LANDCARE STATE GATHERING
By Sandy Dellwo, Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator, P: 03 5881 9937 | M: 0408 400 719 | E: sandy.dellwo@lls.nsw.gov.au
and Paula Sheehan, Regional Landcare Coordinator.
A couple of weeks ago, more than 150 Landcarers from across NSW connected in Dubbo for the NSW Landcare Program State Gathering.
The gathering was an opportunity for Regional Landcare Coordinators, Local Landcare Coordinators, representatives of community host organisations and Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators to catch up and share experiences, learn skills and connect.
It was coordinated by the NSW Landcare Program, which is a collaboration between Landcare NSW and Local Land Services, supported by the NSW Government.
As part of the event, we were invited to present on the unique and valued approach of Landcare across the Murray region.
Our presentation explained the Murray Landcare Collective including the history, benefits to participants and why the model works in the region. To demonstrate these points, the collective was described as “a flexible collective of groups and partners who come together voluntarily because they see the benefits of doing so” and its success was due, in part, to “lack of ego, willingness to work together and collaborate”.
The gathering also featured presentations from:
- Robbie Sefton (Founder and Managing Director of Seftons), specialising in facilitating groups through contentious and challenging issues, and a wool, meat and grains producer
- Mary Brell (Director, Keys to Success) who walked us through a short session on the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument to better understand how we operate and therefore, how to work better with others
- Merryl Semple (Resilience Advantage Program), who presented and coached us through some techniques to build into everyday life that help build mental and emotional resilience
- Craig Aspinall (Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer for Landcare NSW), who explained the Landcare NSW Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program and showed a great video to provide a better understanding of Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country: Jade Kennedy - Deconstructing Welcome to Country.
Smaller workshops were also held to continue the learning around topics, including: using social media to tell your story; increasing group membership and maintaining momentum; employment law for committee members; and developing strategic partnerships.
The gathering was well represented by the Murray region and was a really worthwhile opportunity to connect and learn for improved Landcare outcomes across the state.
L-R – Adrian Wells (Murray LC Council rep), Basia Olejniczak (CDL volunteer), Sandy Dellwo (Murray LLS Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator), Roger Knight (Western Murray Land Improvement Group Executive Officer), Stacey Brooke (Western Murray Land Improvement Group Landcare Coordinator), Paula Sheehan (Holbrook Landcare Network Regional Landcare Coordinator and Petaurus Education Group Landcare Coordinator), Erika Heffer (Ricegrowers’ Association Landcare Coordinator), Judy Kirk (Corowa District Landcare – Landcare Coordinator), Phoebe Gulliver (Holbrook Landcare – Landcare Coordinator) and Brendan Christie (CDL Chair).
