East Gippsland’s Landcare groups and individuals were recognised for their hard work and dedication to the environment by becoming finalists in the 2024 Victorian Landcare Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Landcare Victoria on Thursday, 18 July, in Melbourne, saw representation from our region’s committed volunteers who excelled across various categories securing both a win and a commended award.
Bryce Watts-Parker, a Mallacoota local, was the winner of the NextGen Landcare Award, a much-deserved accolade following his hours of investment into Mallacoota’s community and environmental recovery following the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.
Despite his own and his families’ losses due to the bushfires Bryce took on a volunteer role alongside other community members to lead the local recovery association. The youngest member of the Mallacoota and District Recovery Association Bryce represented the group as the media and environmental recovery go-to person.
“Bryce has shown a passion for his local community and the environment that deserves recognition, and we have been very fortunate to have him join the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority as a valued staff member,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s CEO.
The Mallacoota Endemic Garden, Victoria’s smallest and eastern most botanic garden, has been one of Bryce’s favourite endeavours. The garden, situated near the Mallacoota foreshore, features over 150 species of native flora unique to the local region. Over 50 of the species are rare, threatened or endangered and included in the garden is the endangered Betka bottlebrush (Callistemon kenmorrisonii) and Gippsland banksia (Banksia croajingolensis) also known as Shipwreck banksia.
Bryce has a special affection for the banksia. He has been involved in monitoring and assisting scientific research activities on the species and has witnessed it flourish in the four years since the devastating fires.
The Landcare Awards aim to honour individuals, groups and organisations for their outstanding contributions to their local area and community.
“We congratulate all of the winners and finalists at these Awards and thank each and every volunteer in East Gippsland for their dedication, commitment and hard work that benefits our region and all of us who are lucky to call it home,” added Bec.
