Central Tablelands Represented in Sydney for State Landcare Conversations
Left to Right, Phil Donato, Member for Orange, David Banham, Landcare NSW share services coordinator and Lawrence Balcomb, Chairman of the Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Network
This week, Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Network was proudly represented in Sydney by Regional Chair Lawrence Balcomb and Regional Landcare Coordinator Claudia Macleay, as part of the Landcare NSW State Advisory Council.
The visit brought together representatives from across the state to help shape the future of Landcare in NSW. A key focus of the first day was supporting Landcare NSW in the early stages of developing a business case for the next Landcare program. Through a collaborative workshop, participants shared insights, ideas, and experiences from their regions, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that Landcare continues to be driven by grassroots volunteers.
It was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the strength of the Landcare movement — built on local knowledge, community leadership, and a shared commitment to caring for our landscapes.
That evening, we attended the Trees in the House event at NSW Parliament. This special gathering provided an opportunity for State Advisory Council members to connect with their local Members of Parliament, advocate for Landcare in their regions, and share stories from the ground. It was also a chance to strengthen relationships across the state, bringing together passionate individuals working towards common environmental and community goals.
The second day saw the State Advisory Council come together for its formal meeting — an important forum for communication between regional bodies and the Landcare NSW Board. During the meeting, members heard updates from the Board and engaged in discussions on key priorities for the organisation.
We were also fortunate to hear from Michelle Young, CEO of the National Landcare Network. Michelle shared insights into how Landcare is represented at a national level, highlighting the important role of the Members’ Council in ensuring that community voices from across Australia inform national policy and direction.
From local Landcare groups right through to national representation, the message was clear — strong, connected networks are essential to ensuring Landcare continues to thrive.
For Central Tablelands, this experience reinforced the importance of advocating for our region, sharing the knowledge and experiences of our communities, and ensuring our volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do.