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Thanks, Judy — BVL is going to miss your hard work and dedication

Judy MacdonaldBrunswick Valley Landcare is losing the services of its human dynamo — project officer Judy Macdonald, who is leaving after a seven-year involvement to extend her role as manager of local farmers’ markets.

From April 9 Judy will be running a new Mullumbimby Farmer’s Market at the Showgrounds, in addition to the successful New Brighton Farmers’ Market that she manages.

Judy was one of the founding members of Brunswick Valley Landcare in November 2003 along with Jo Green, Roz Elliot and Graham Ashcroft, and others who recognised the need for a non-political, umbrella organisation to serve the region’s growing number of Landcare locality groups, which until then had worked in isolation.

The initiative meant that BVL could help Landcare and Dunecare groups and landholders in the Brunswick River Catchment develop projects and apply for funds, share costs such as public liability insurance, employ professionals, and have an effective interface with what was then the newly-formed Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Judy has been a dedicated and tireless worker for the locality groups ever since. Not only is she an expert gardener with an extensive knowledge of native vegetation and local natural resource management issues, but she also has an invaluable understanding of the political issues which govern funding. BVL owes Judy a major vote of thanks for her highly successful input to funding applications over the years — she has a knack for writing applications that somehow always come to the top of the pile.

By packing at least twenty-five hours into every day, Judy was able to act as mentor to the locality groups, be involved with the organisation of BVL’s ambitious program of monthly walks and workshops, look after BVL’s commitment to the New South Wales Environmental Trust three-year community education program, and play an active and very successful role in the organisation of the first three Brunswick Valley Nature Festivals. All this while maintaining an involvement with various other community activities and as a political activist on the issues that stir her passion.

As BVL Secretary Madeleine Green says: “Judy has enough energy to power a small city and BVL is certainly lucky to have been the beneficiary of that drive and enthusiasm.”

Judy arrived in the Brunswick Valley from Italy in 2000 and with her artist and writer partner Nino, and two small sons, settled at The Pocket. The boys are now in London, set to make their mark in fashion photography and music.

Judy will continue her involvement with Landcare as convenor of the Upper Marshalls Creek locality group.


 

Range of new funding opportunities available

Grants are being offered to Northern Rivers landholders and landcarers for a range of new natural resource

management projects, most with application deadlines in October.

Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority
Biodiversity Grants

Due 6 October. Amount Up to $80 000 (TOTAL for Northern Rivers CMA = $ 1.5m)
Types of projects: Land & Soil Management, River Health, Native Vegetation, Coastal Management (includes estuaries, coastal creeks, foreshores)
Eligible applicants: Landholders, Land managers, Community NRM groups, Government
Website: http://www.northern.cma.nsw.gov.au/funding_apply.php

NSW Department of Primary Industries
Fish Habitat Action Grants
Due 16 October. Amount Up to $30 000 (TOTAL for NSW = $590 000)
Types of projects: Waterways and riparian zones
Eligible applicants: Fishing clubs groups of landholders, Land managers, Community NRM groups, Government
Website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/habitat-action-grants-funding-up-to-$30,000

Australian Government Caring for our Country
Community Action Grants
Due 22 October (open on 1 0ctober). Amount $5 000 - $20 000 (TOTAL for Australia = $5M)
Types of projects: Biodiversity and Natural Icons, Coastal and aquatic habitats and sustainable farming
Eligible applicants: Established Community NRM groups, Indigenous groups
website http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/cag.html

Nature Conservation Trust

Due 16 October
Types of projects: Border Rangers and Wetlands in Richmond catchment
Eligible applicants Property owners
website http://www.nct.org.au

Also check these flyers for furtrher information:

pdf Protecting your private nature reserve

pdf Protecting your private wetland reserve.

Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority
Meeting multiple targets through Increased Coastal Community Engagement along the New South Wales coastline.

Due: TBA likely to open later this year. Amount $5 000 - $20 000 (TOTAL for Northern Rivers CMA = $ 200 000)
Types of projects: Projects which must address, within the coastal environment, the Caring for our Country target:"Engagement of community groups in coastal projects' plus one or more of the following Caring for our Country targets:- management of littoral rainforest control of bitou bush and lantana (WONS) development of indigenous partnerships
Eligible applicants: Landholders, Land managers, Community NRM groups, Government