National Landcare Award winner to inspire community action

Posted on July 10th, 2014

With a lengthy and well-respected history in community conservation, 2012 National Landcare Award winner Susie Chapman will have much to share at a family fun night and spotlight tour in Tannum Sands next week.
Ms Chapman has worked for over 20 years in collaborative catchment management at a variety of scales in South East Queensland, and looks forward to supporting other regions.
Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (FBA) is partnering with Conservation Volunteers to host the Community Gathering, a family-friendly event, on Friday 18 July, from 5.30 pm at the Kalorie Conference Centre Training Room, Hampton Drive, Tannum Sands.
Ms Chapman will be guest presenter, sharing her experiences to inspire our communities to be active partners in local conservation projects.
FBA’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Birch invites Gladstone, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands residents as well as past and existing conservation group members to the Community Gathering.
“We will be conducting a spotlight tour on Turtleway Path, followed by a barbecue. Ms Chapman will then present some of her success stories and a group discussion on current projects and to brainstorm future plans for the local area will take place,” Mr Birch said.
“FBA has been successful in securing funding for urban waterway and coastal environment conservation activities in Gladstone, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands through the Australian Government over the next four years.
“There are opportunities for lots of projects, and we’d particularly like to encourage groups that are not traditionally associated with ‘green’ activities to also get involved.
“We’d like to involve as many members of the broader community as possible in environmental projects in the area,” he said.
FBA’s recent marine debris blitz was a great example of diverse community groups such as outriggers and fishing clubs joining to carry out a conservation projects of value to their activities.
“Sporting groups, corporate green teams, schools, or youth groups – their activities all support sustainable communities and we want to partner with them to deliver projects that can both help their members and the wider community,” he said.
The evening will be an ideal opportunity for interested people to attend and get more information on how to be involved in upcoming events, or how to start a new project.
RSVP by 16 July with number of adults and children attending and any dietary needs to Jodi Jones of Conservation Volunteers on 4972 4969 or email JJones@conservationvolunteers.com.au
Spotlighting participants will need to bring their own torch and wear closed-in shoes.
Media enquiries: contact Samantha Hansen on 0417 273 695 or email samantha.hansen@fba.org.au.