legends, larrikins

The Queensland Landcare Conference 2009 is set to live up to its theme “Legends, Larrikins and Landcare” with conference organisers confirming Landcare Legend and grazier Jeff Campbell as a key note speaker for the three day event.

Key note speaker Jeff Campbell won the prestigious NLP Individual Landcarer Award last year at the National Landcare Awards for his work in leading a movement of concerned farmers in best-practice farming in the drought-stricken region of Mitchell in south-west Queensland.

Conference Chair John Fisher said that Jeff was an ideal candidate to head up the program for the conference. “Jeff is most definitely deserving of the title ‘Landcare Legend’, he manages his 25 000 hectare property Currawarra using innovative techniques to reduce soil erosion and promotes healthier pastures and encourages other farmers to follow suit.” Mr Fisher said.

“For the past eight years Jeff has been the chairperson of the Mitchell and District Landcare Group which is working to better manage the whole sub-catchment area of 250 kilometres along the Maranoa River.

“Jeff has been a leader, innovator and mentor to many in the region, and a positive voice for those feeling the effects of a 10-year drought.” Mr Fisher said.

“Jeff will be able to share his knowledge and experience with locals and visitors alike, we look forward to announcing more of our exciting program shortly,” Mr Fisher said.

This year’s program will showcase land and water management practices involving everything from water wise gardens, the control of woody and exotic weeds, to feral animal control and the rehabilitation of our natural water courses.

Local Landcare legends, and no doubt some larrikins, will also be presenting and sharing their experiences with environmental and natural resource management issues in their part of the region. Attendees will also experience presentations by well known industry representatives, plus field trips and an extensive social program designed to bring out the legends and larrikins in everyone!

The conference runs from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October at the Longreach Cultural and Civic Centre, and is hosted by natural resource management body Desert Channels Queensland and supported by 6 local Landcare groups.

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