Landcare in the Clarence Celebrating 25 Years

The History of Landcare in the Clarence celebrating 25 years 1989—2014 Acknowledgements Compiled by Alastair Maple Clarence Landcare Inc. would like to thank the many people who Edited by Carole Bryant contributed photos, newspaper articles, personal time and their own writing for Clarence Landcare Inc.© 2014 and recollections in the compilation of this special publication celebrating Clarence Landcare’s achievements over the past 25 years. Where possible, acknowledgement has been made to the contributor/s. However, this is not Cover photos: Clarence River and always so, and apologies are made to the people concerned for what may Susan Island, Grafton. well appear to them and others as glaring omissions. Photos: Carole Bryant We would also like to thank Clarence Valley Council for their contribution to Clarence Landcare over the past 25 years. A message from Clarence Landcare’s Chairman Twenty-five years ago the National Farmers Federation Landcare in the Clarence has evolved and has become and the Australian Conservation Foundation formed the more holistic in the approach to environmental issues. Landcare movement. The uncommon alliance between those two groups threw significant weight behind the We no longer focus on the restoration and protection of pitch for a Landcare movement. A movement that put a our natural environment. The improvement and enhance- spotlight on the challenges that faced the Australian land- ment of our productive landscapes ties their economic scape and the hope that Landcare would be able to make benefit to the existing environmental and social compo- a difference. nent that is Landcare. Clarence Landcare began with the assistance of the Total Agriculture of the future will see the people of the cities Catchment Management in 1996 as the 4C’s. Since then and towns become more aware of where their food comes Clarence Landcare Inc has grown with members from the from and the trend towards organic is growing. Clarence coast to the upper catchment building on the work that Landcare is supporting the efforts of our farmers to en- started years ago. sure their produce is clean and green. We all have a common interest in farming – food. Years ago, engaging Clarence Landcare has been fortunate to have a Commu- farmers in Landcare was seen as being “too green” but nity Support Officer since the start. Debbie has been the now the engagement with farmers, helping them to im- life blood of the organisation, forming groups, assisting prove their properties and their productivity, is almost the groups with her knowledge of natural resource man- seen as mainstream. agement and ensuring the office kept running. Over time the work load increased and Julie was employed to help The collaborative approach to environmental work without, mainly with the coastal groups. As our financial situ- in the catchment has also taken hold and we now not ation improved and the complexities of running the office only involve landholders but Local Government, State became difficult to manage as well as keep the work on Government, (through the Local Land Services), Nation- the ground flowing, Sue came to our rescue. al Parks etc, and community organisations. In spite of government funding cuts over many years, and I welcome the ACF and NFF’s recent call for a new dec- a general declining trend in volunteering in Australia, ade of action that will tackle the challenges confronting Landcare remains passionate and optimistic about our Australia’s land, water, wildlife and farmland. future. Brian Dodd Chairman Contents In the Beginning—the first landcarers 1 In the beginning—the formation of Clarence Landcare 1 Clarence Landcare—communities caring for the environment 2 Angourie Community Coastcare—25 years of achievement! 3 Landcare Link—“Binderay Farm” (Peter Bond and Susan Ariel) 6 Brooms Head Landcare—restoring a dynamic natural landscape 7 Landcare Link—“Arndilly” (Michael Martin & Meg Gordon) 8 Landcare Link—”Fig Tree Farms” 9 Iluka Landcare –proudly sponsored by the Bert Hinkler Memorial Fund 11 Iluka Landcare’s Pocket Rocket—Kaye Jeffrey 12 The Coastal Emu—is it doomed? 12 Maclean Landcare 13 Yuraygir Landcare—sustained excellence 14 Yuraygir Landcare—transformation of Tucabia Reserve 15 Waterlands Landcare 17 Sandon River Environmental Alliance—occasional but systematic 18 Nymboida Landcare—-they’re a weird mob 19 Clarence Landcare’s Nurseries—revegetating the valley 20 Copmanhurst Landcare—coping with erosion and water quality 21 Clarence Valley Native Bees—celebrating our native honey makers 23 Clarence Valley Conservation In Action—controlling the undesirables! 24 Cowan’s Pond—reviving a local wetland 25 Elland Preservation Organisation—looking after wetlands 27 Upper Eaton Creek—early history of successful erosion control 28 Diggers Dunecare—preserving undeveloped paradise 29 Port of Yamba Yacht Club 30 Kangaroo Creek Landcare—unity arising through conflict 31 Landcare Link—Bill Burns … farming and conservation hand in hand 33 Landcare Link—Russell Jago … a passion for protection and promotion of our natural history 35 Where is Clarence Landcare Inc? 36 Contact us 36 In the beginning—the first landcarers he first landcarers of the Clarence Valley may well are further evidence of probable permanent settlement in T have not considered themselves as such. At least, that area. The Clarence Valley was, and still is, rich in not in the way the term has been used since the National natural resources, so the traditional owners of this area Landcare program was launched 25 would have lived very well and most years ago. But there is some evidence to likely did not need to move far. suggest that such a word would not have sat inappropriately with the The Aboriginal people of this area Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl have lived off the land in more or less people. traditional ways until recently. Right up into the 1980’s the people of These first Australians occupied the Corindi, Maclean, and Yamba were Clarence landscape for tens of living a lifestyle where bush foods and thousands of years. During this time traditional cultural ways of dealing they practised a life of sustainability with food were maintained alongside that enabled them to live off the land, the European economy and use of without greatly depleting its resources. European foods. With some Their diet included fruit from native traditional owners, this knowledge and vegetation, fish from the rivers and practice exists until today, ensuring the ocean, and mammals such as wallabies. young and future generations are John William Lindt. Two bearded mindful of their living culture. By European standards of civilisation men. 1873. Gift of Sam and Janet there is evidence they had permanent Cullen and family 2004. Grafton This is a very potent backdrop for settlements and a developed material Regional Gallery Collection Clarence Landcarers who today c u l t u r e . I n 1 7 9 9 M a t t h e w practice, improve, and promote the Flinders described large bark huts with management of the land in a way that rounded passageway entrances which protected will ensure future generations can appreciate the legacy occupants from wind and rain. The Arrawarra fish traps that has been left to them. In the beginning—the formation of Clarence Landcare larence Landcare began in 1995 when local environmentalist, peace activist C and social justice advocate Jim Knight, and a small group of interested people, organised the Clarence Care Coordinating Committee under the umbrella of the National Landcare Program. Jim was the founding chairperson, and remained on the Committee until his untimely death early in 2014. Other committee members from the early days were Bob Thompson (Smith’s Creek), Laurie Davey (Minnie Water Dunecare), and later Bernie and Susan Stilgoe (Stockyard Creek). Laurie brought business expertise to the executive committee and added vital decisiveness to early meetings. Jim Knight The first employee, Debbie Repschlager, commenced in May 1996 and remains to this day. She was later joined by Julie Mousley and Susan Moore. Julie has not long left Landcare, so Clarence Landcare has enjoyed a remarkable period of stability with its front line staff. Debbie Repschlager Julie Mousley Susan Moore 1 Clarence Landcare—communities caring for the environment or the past 16 years Clarence Landcare Inc. has been team meetings. It has worked with CVC to promote F working with Landcare Groups, the wider their Riparian Management Strategy and helped raise community, government agencies and organisations in awareness of best management practice for riparian land. the field of Natural Resource Management (NRM) in It also works with CVC Project Officers and landholders the mid- lower Clarence Catchment. on collaborative floodplain projects including revegetation. The NRM issues that have been addressed whilst working with the community and other stakeholders Clarence Landcare continues to engage and liaise with a includes coastal erosion, riverbank and gully erosion, range of primary industry stake holders in the mid-lower riparian vegetation rehabilitation, weeds, habitat decline, Clarence including individual primary producers and decline of coastal wetlands, acid sulphate soils, sustainable groups such as beef, sugar and dairy. The organisation agriculture, poor water quality, fish habitat, biodiversity works with both urban and rural landholders. across all landscape types, and threatened species. Through its community support staff and Site visits, when needed, are accompanied by the relevant contractors, Clarence Landcare has on-ground working technical officers from NRM government departments . knowledge of NRM issues across all identified It is common practice to refer enquiries on to the landscapes in the mid and lower Clarence areas. appropriate authority when necessary. Many links have been forged and a good working relationship has Clarence Landcare works with private and public land developed with staff from all authorities involved in managers, the community, and with government and non NRM. -government organisations including rural industry groups.

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