Port Phillip and Western Port Landcare Awards
Primary Producer Caring for Land - Faye Tuchtan and Graham Wood
The leading lights of our local environment were recognised today when the winners of 2010 Port Phillip and Western Port Landcare Awards were announced at a celebration held at Zinc, Federation Square, Melbourne.
The 2010 Port Phillip and Western Port Landcare Awards celebrate the environmental contribution that individuals, community groups, schools and councils make to the environment undertaking activities that improve the quality of land but also influence, educate and inspire others to make a difference.
The winners were presented by Doctor Kate Auty, Victoria’s Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability and special guest Doctor Rhonda Galbally AO former CEO of Our Community.
The premise of the landcare movement is that action makes a difference. The Landcare movement has grown from a group of farmers that came together to address erosion in the 1980s to become both a known brand (Landcare Australia) and a way to care for the land through community action.
These days, landcare activity also encompasses the work of ‘friends’ groups and ‘committees of management’ who often form because of a shared desire, or need, such as controlling weeds next to a walking track, or helping protect an endangered species.
Local winners of the Primary Producer Caring for Land category Faye Tuchtan and Graham Wood epitomize how working on the land can go hand in hand with the environment.
Faye Tuchtan and Graham Wood are long-term residents in the Bass Valley. Graham operates a Machinery Sales Business in the region and, with Faye, manages a stud cattle genetics and seedstock agricultural business.
They commenced the cattle production business when they took up a 100 acre ex-dairy farm on the Bass Highway.
After developing that property they realised their business could support further expansion and six years ago acquired a further 100 acre property at Bass.
Between them they have worked tirelessly to improve both properties in line with dedicated environmental sustainability principles, doing this while operating their own business. As well as landcare revegetation projects they have formed partnerships with other agencies which have impacted their properties including Vicroads and the Aboriginal Heritage Commission. Both are long-term members of the Bass Valley Landcare Group and are presently very active committee members and public advocates of Landcare. Graham is treasurer of the Bass Valley Landcare Group and area network committee member.
Their energy and motivation towards Landcare principles and promotion appears to know no bounds as both are high profile business leaders who are active on the ground as lieutenants of the Landcare principles and generals in the planning and promotion of Landcare.
Regional Landcare Coordinator for the Port Phillip and Western Port region Doug Evans, says that the primary producer category is important because “landholders have a massive capacity to make a difference to the environment in the Melbourne region. More often than not they manage significant areas of land, often with important environmental values and waterways.
“Sustainably managing their properties can help productivity but just as important is their role in helping to protect native vegetation. Faye and Graham’s influence is important for the influence they have and the recognition that landholders can make this difference.”
All winners will now be nominated for the Victorian landcare Awards in 2011.
Winners of the 2010 Port Phillip and Western Port Landcare Awards
Individual Caring for Private Land-Janet Truscott and Grant Murray, Mornington Peninsula
Individual Caring for Public Land-Vicki Boyle, Belgrave
Primary Producer Caring for Land-Faye Tuchtan and Graham Wood, Bass Coast
Community Group Caring for Public Land-Friends of Merri Creek, Urban to North of Melbourne
Community Group Caring for Private Land- Labertouche Landcare and Sustainable Farming Group
Local Government Caring for Land-Nillumbik Shire Council, Nillumbik (from Kinglake to Eltham)
Young People Caring for Land-Balnarring Primary School, Mornington Peninsula |