News and Events

The first Landcare wish is for some better health for our vice chair Mr Bill Archer who is unwell. Bill is such a key member of our team and we are all thinking of him at this time.

The next Landcare wish is for lots of successful funding applications in 2012. We need these especially for continuing the basic operating costs of the office at Kelly Reserve and for maintaining our current staffing level and generally running the network.

Another wish is for continuing the partnerships we have with the CMAs, Councils and organisations such as NorthParkes Mine, Radio 2PK, Parkes Champion Post and Forbes Advocate. Without these great partners we would not be anywhere near we are with regard to projects and publicity – so a big thanks to all of these organisations.

Another wish is for our former chair – Margaret Haddin, to have a relaxing break! Margaret spent seven long years as the chair of the organisation and these were long and hard years – of drought and limited staffing, low morale amongst members and they also culminated in the huge effort that was the State Landcare and Catchment Management Forum, that was held this year. Margaret really deserves a long rest this festive season!

I'd also like to wish for all of you parents out there to involve your children this coming year in events such as Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day. If we don’t get kids into these activities nice and early in life, caring for the environment will never be normal for them. So please, bring your kids to these events and make a real contribution.

I’m also wishing for more of us to buy Australian food products. Australia’s farmers and growers are among the most sustainable and efficient in the world, so if you care about our natural resources, why wouldn’t you support them by buying their produce? Make an effort to buy Australian, even if it is a little bit dearer.

I have another wish in Landcare, and that’s to hear more from the Landcare membership.

As a committee it is our job to represent the ideas and issues of the members. Tell us what projects you would like us to pursue, what training you would like and what issues you would like us to take upwards in Landcare – to the regional bodies or to Landcare NSW. If we are not representing you, we are not fulfilling our role.

And finally my wish for a Landcare Christmas this year is for a good season in 2012, a full profile of soil moisture and fantastic growing conditions for groundcover and trees and crops.

Until 2012  - don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, twitter and the web at www.parkeslandcare.org.au –  and happy Landcaring!