Congratulations to John McGregor, winner of the 2006 Mid Goulburn Broken Implementation Committee Landcare Award for Excellence
Media Release Landcare Award for McGregor John McGregor from the Burnt Creek Landcare Group is recipient of the Mid Goulburn Broken Implementation Committee (MGBIC) Landcare Award for Excellence 2006. John received his award from Member for Benalla Bill Sykes, and Goulburn Broken CMA Board Chairman Steve Mills, at the Benalla Art Gallery last week. The Award is offered annually to a Landcare Committee member who has shown exceptional dedication to their Landcare Group over a period of time, and offers a way for Groups to showcase their achievements through a long serving, hard working member. Mr McGregor has served the Burnt Creek Landcare Group for over 20 years and was instrumental in galvanising action to fight the rabbit problem in the area. In receiving his award Mr McGregor said he believed there were many others who were worthy of receiving the award, which comprises a framed certificate and an accommodation package for 2 at Sofitel Melbourne. The Burnt Creek Rabbit Control Group was recognised by Joan Kirner, then Minister for Conservation, Forests & Lands, and the late Heather Mitchell, who was President of the Victorian Farmers Federation, as a model on which others could be established prior to the development of the Government funded Rabbit Busters Program. The land management programs established at this time in Victoria were the precursor to the Landcare movement, which has grown throughout Australia and is widely recognised as the foremost community based land management group in the country. Jacci Campbell, President of the Sheep Pen Creek Land Protection Group, was runner up for the Award for her work in galvanising local landowners in land protection projects and her enduring efforts on the many committees specific to natural resource management in the Sheep Pen Creek catchment. The MGBIC Chair Sally Simson said that the Implementation Committee is proud to offer an award each year in recognition of the astounding achievements of individual Landcare members in support of their community group. Nominations for the 2007 Landcare Award for Excellence will open in May. Ends February 28th 2007 Contact: Poppe Davis Dryland Conmmunity Liaisoin Officer Ph 5736 0108 Mob 0427 866 328 E popped@gbcma.vic.gov.au