March 1 2022 | Nominations for the 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award – now in its tenth year – are now open. The prestigious national award is a celebration of individuals who champion Landcare and inspire others through their involvement in their local landcare group and community.
The award is an acknowledgment of leadership and commitment to Landcare, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture. The 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award nominations are open to individuals who champion sustainable agriculture practices and demonstrate the adoption of these improved practices.
Last year, Victorian farmer, Andrew Stewart was awarded the 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare Award for his work regenerating his 240-hectare Corangamite property. Stewart has extensively regenerated his property with large areas of native trees and shrubs, implementing sustainable land management practices, diversified his enterprises and worked with an Otway Agroforestry Network team to establish a mentoring program to support landholders.
At the time Stewart described his nomination as an acknowledgement of his family’s hard work and proof that you don’t need to sacrifice profitability for sustainability.
The Hon. David Littleproud Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, said the Bob Hawke Landcare Award recognises the valuable and often unacknowledged environmental work farmers do.
“The Bob Hawke Landcare Award shines a light on the important environmental work Australian farmers do to manage the land, conserve and protect it for future generations,” Minister Littleproud said.
Minister Littleproud added the award gave the finalists a national stage to promote what they do, as well as the work of Landcare groups across Australia.
“Andrew Stewart’s sustainable agriculture and innovative on-farm techniques have resulted greatly increased biodiversity and habitat restoration without impacting on output. He is an exemplary, worthy recipient of the title,” Minister Littleproud said.
Named in his honour, the Bob Hawke Landcare Award acknowledges the role the former Prime Minister played in growing Landcare from a grass-roots community initiative to a national movement with bi-partisan government support that continues today.
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award recipient is awarded a prize package to the value of $50,000
