UGLN Awarded for Fire Recovery Effort

The enormous post fire efforts of the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network and its many supporters was acknowledged at last week’s Victorian Landcare Awards presentation.

The Fire Recovery Award was received on behalf of the Network by Terry Hubbard UGLN President and Chris Cobern, Fire Recovery Coordinator at Government House from the Hon Alex Chernov AO QC Governor of Victoria and the Hon Ryan Smith Minister for Environment.

A great deal of credit for the Award must go to those landcare people who met at Terry Hubbards place just three days after the fire and who feared a backlash against Landcare and the environment in general.

They felt that the UGLN with its ability to respond quickly and decisively and having strong environmental links with the community were well placed to find out the immediate needs of those affected, be proactive in coordinating volunteers and to this end .... work commenced immediately. This Award also reflects the earlier efforts of people like Bridget Clark, Janet Hagen and their bands of volunteers.

In total the UGLN with fantastic support from volunteers has undertaken a recovery program with an estimated value of over $3m.

All our efforts have been well supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, in particular Tony Kubeil who entrusted our volunteer Executive and Coordinators after the fires to roll out what has been an astonishing program.

The UGLN efforts have also been recognised for the nationally prestigious Banksia Awards (finalist) and as winner of the Regional Landcare Award.

UGLN Fire Recovery Award

At the recent Goulburn Broken 25th Anniversary Landcare Awards night the UGLN was awarded the 'Network Award' for our fire recovery program.

This award is presented to an out-standing community group that has adopted best management practices on public or private land and is working towards enhancing or protecting an area on behalf of the community.

Photo above is President Terry Hubbard being presented with the award by Former Murrindindi Shire Mayor Lyn Gunter.

Photo below from left Terry, Secretary Lynnda Heard and Treasurer Rodney Ridd.

Three Sisters, Strath Creek.

6th August 2010
25 ANZ/GE volunteers plus Chris , Cath , David and Janet met at Terry Hubbards property in Strath Creek to do some serious tree planting . The paddocks were beautifully soggy and the hills impressively steep. We travelled to the planting site via 4WD tractor . The weather was not that kind so Terry's shearing shed made a welcome retreat for our BBQ lunch . The team was very efficient -1800 trees were planted.

Highlights of the day : Chris's ability to drive any machine . Tractors & Four Wheel Motorbikes. The left-overs from the Strath Creek ladies catering for the playground opening , Terry's dog , wedgetailed eagles and the guys who headed off for a weekend skiing straight after the planting.