Hi Landcarer’s

We are in the lead up to celebrating 30 Years since Landcare was formed as an over-riding body in Australia.

Central West Lachlan Landcare (or Parkes and Districts Landcare as it was formerly known) registered as an Incorporated body in 1989….A year I clearly remember, because that year I moved to Parkes with my mum and dad and siblings.

Since then, I have been fortunate to have several jobs in both Parkes and Forbes and am extremely grateful that I now work over both Shire Council areas and also have the opportunity to represent our Shires and also the Central West on the Landcare NSW Council.

I have spent a considerable amount of time at the Parkes Showground this week in the lead up to and during the Show. I am looking forward to being involved at the Forbes Show next Friday and Saturday.

During the Show I was fortunate to catch up with many people and, of course, there a lot of conversation revolves around the drought, rain and what the future holds.

One person asked how the drought was affecting Landcare. I was frank with my response when I told him that funding the .5 FTE Local Landcare Coordinator role is secure for the next four years. I will share further details about that in coming weeks. In terms of what we are delivering and what we focus our efforts on, that has changed.

We do have a much heavier commitment to community involvement, enablement of community groups and bringing financial and social benefit to our towns, promoting our Shires and providing support in any way that we realistically can with the skills and capacity that we have. We know that regardless of whether we receive rain or not, there are significant challenges ahead for our communities.

Landcare is an adaptable model that allows us to work to support our communities in good times and bad and as Australia recognises 30 years of Landcare, during Landcare Week next week, we acknowledge our resilient rural communities, our adaptability to change and our resourcefulness.

Our newsletter was distributed on Tuesday morning. I have been overwhelmed with responses regarding our Tree Project and our Seasonal Crossroad Forums for Feral Control and Disease Prevention and Weed Management and Stock Precautions in the Spring/Summer Season to be held at the Central West Livestock Exchange on 25 and 26 September.

These workshops are provided to assist with preparation for the seasons ahead, with advice covering off on feral control measures, livestock preparation, biosecurity risks, management of weed issues with spring/summer storms. We are also bringing together information on the latest drought response measures and support for landholders.

We want to cover off on as much useful information that we can for landholders and are still keen to value add to these workshops if there is something that you think is a crucial inclusion over the two days.

We also have an offer to support four landholders to attend the Farmer’s For Climate Action Conference in Orange on 10 September, so if you would like to find our more about that, go to our website and click the link for our newsletter to find out further information. This funding is available with funds raised through the Landcare NSW Everyday Hero Campaign that I undertook in the lead up to Christmas. This is a great opportunity for free entry to this fantastic Conference.

For more information, go to our website at centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @cwllandcare. Workshops bookings can be made via cwllpo@hotmail.com or by ringing 0418 611 053.

Until next week, happy Landcaring.