25-year Landcare veteran recognised in annual awards
A tireless volunteer who has dedicated a quarter of a century to rehabilitating bushland reserves in western Lake Macquarie has taken out the top accolade at this year’s Lake Macquarie Landcare Awards.
Robyn Gill was a founding member of the Coal Point Progress Association Landcare group when it kicked off in 1995, and has since spent countless hours working to improve the lakeside reserves throughout the suburb.
Landcare Coordinator Jason Harvey said Robyn was awarded the ‘John Hughson Soaring With the Eagles Award’ for making a ‘regionally significant’ contribution to the Landcare movement.
“Robyn has been tireless as a volunteer, inspirational as a leader and invaluable as a role model to other people throughout Landcare,” Mr Harvey said.
“Through her passion, energy and environmental responsibility, she has brought about a marked improvement to the health of our bushland reserves.”
Mrs Gill said she had enjoyed great reward and much satisfaction from her time as a Landcare volunteer.
“It has been wonderful – you get to see the results of what you do,” she said.
“It’s great to be out there in the environment, and in the time we’ve been doing it, the changes have been spectacular.”
Other volunteers recognised this year included Nancy and Stephen Lott, who both received the Local Legend Award.
The couple have been instrumental in the Eleebana Residences Landcare group, rehabilitating a stretch of Fossil Wing Creek that runs behind their complex.
Arbre Close Landcare member John Sharples won the Community Education Award for raising awareness in the community about Landcare and environmental management, while Marmong Waters and Alpha Close Landcare groups shared the Newcomers Group Award.
Mr Harvey said 2020 had been a challenging year for Landcare groups, with COVID-19 restricting many activities.
“Despite those setbacks, our 200-plus groups have done an incredible amount of work throughout Lake Macquarie,” he said.
“We are all very grateful for the time and effort they contribute every year.”
You can view a recording of the awards on Lake Macquarie Landcare’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
For more information and to get involved, go to lakemacquarielandcare.org.
2020 Lake Macquarie Landcare Awards
John Hughson ‘Soaring With the Eagles Award’
Robyn Gill – Coal Point Progress Association Landcare
Local Legend Award
Nancy Lott and Stephen Lott- Eleebana Residences Landcare
Community Education Award
John Sharples – Arbre Close Landcare
Landcare Achievers Award
Wendy Davidson- Coal Point Progress Association Landcare & Keith Barry Oval Landcare
10 Years Service Award
Roy and Irene Stanners- Eleebana Residences Landcare Dave and Chris Eastham- Ivy Street Landcare
20 Years Service Award
Karen Ayliffe- Central Rankin Park Landcare Wendy & Craig Patrick- Farm Street Reserve Landcare
Newcomers Group Award
Marmong Waters Landcare Alpha Close Landcare
Long Standing Group
Marmong Creek Landcare Bimbae Landcare Tathra Reserve Landcare
Special acknowledgements
Blacksmiths Beach Dunecare – 30 years in June
Central Rankin Park Landcare – 25 years in August
Coal Point Progress Association Landcare – 25 years in November
