Victorian Landcare Awards 2024
Yarrilinks submitted two nominations for the Victorian Landcare Grants this year: for Adrian Tyler, President of Rupanyup Landcare Group and committee member of Yarrilinks, and Jonathan Starks, former Landcare Facilitator for Hindmarsh Landcare Network. Their nominations are well deserved and endorsed by the whole Yarrilinks committee. We wish the best of luck to both of them in their respective categories!
The date of the Landcare Awards is yet to be set but the event is expected to take place in winter 2024.
Adrian Tyler
Nominated for: Joan Kirner Landcare Award
Nominated by: Madeleine Grant (Yarrilinks committee)
Here are five highlights from Adrian Tyler's Landcare Award Nomination:
Longstanding Dedication: Adrian Tyler has been involved in Landcare since the early 1980s, pre-dating the Landcare movement itself. He has held various roles, including President/Chairperson of the Rupanyup VFF Landcare Group, and committee member for Yarrilinks.
Successful Partnerships: Adrian has a track record of establishing successful partnerships across the community. He collaborated with the Dunmunkle Native Flora Group and family members to establish native tree corridors. He also partnered with various organizations for projects like the Rupanyup Memorial Park/Caravan Park and a project to fill in and revegetate a disused reservoir.
Commitment to Local Communities: Adrian's commitment to Rupanyup's community is evident through projects like Jack's Track, a walking track he built among tree corridors, and his involvement in numerous community organizations. He is known for his dedication, even mowing the lawns of elderly neighbors.
Championing Landcare: Adrian has been a dedicated champion and advocate for Landcare, demonstrating unwavering commitment since the early 1980s. His leadership in Landcare has resulted in significant accomplishments, including planting thousands of trees and organizing educational activities.
Inspiration and Encouragement: Adrian has inspired, encouraged, and mentored others to take on-ground action and get involved in Landcare. His ability to recruit new members to the Yarrilinks Committee demonstrates his commitment to ensuring the future success of Landcare initiatives in his community.
Jonathan Starks
Nominated for: Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship
Nominated by: Alicia Merriam (Yarrilinks Landcare Facilitator)
Here are five highlights from Jonathan Starks' Landcare Award Nomination:
Long-Term Commitment: Jonathan Starks served as Landcare Facilitator for Hindmarsh Landcare Network in the Victorian Wimmera for 8 years, leading Project Hindmarsh, which has seen almost 2 million trees planted since 1998.
Expertise in Ornithology: Jonathan's particular expertise in ornithology has been invaluable to the Landcare community. He has used his skills to complete bird surveys in the Victorian Wimmera region, contributing to environmental knowledge.
Community Building: Jonathan played an instrumental role in organizing large community planting weekends, bringing together volunteers from across Victoria. His efforts have created a strong sense of community and connection among participants. He was also responsible for establishing the inclusion of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessments as standard practice prior to all Project Hindmarsh plantings.
Mentorship: Jonathan has been a mentor to newer Landcare facilitators, sharing his knowledge and experiences to help them navigate challenges and succeed in their roles. His mentorship has had a lasting impact on the Landcare community in the Wimmera.
Legacy and Impact: Through his work on Project Hindmarsh and his mentorship of others, Jonathan has left a lasting legacy in the Landcare community of the Wimmera. His contributions have had a significant impact on the environment and the people involved in Landcare.