Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

.   I was delighted to host the graduation for the first round participants in the coalition's Green Army Program for the Murraylands Green Army projects by hosting an afternoon tea for the participants in my electorate office last Thursday in Murray Bridge.

These projects improved the condition and connectivity of habitat remaining in the Murraylands. Participants were involved in reserve management, including the proclamation of two new conservation parks at Monarto and Lauwari and preparing these areas for increased visitor usage. Activities included weed and pest animal surveys, planning and control, visitor needs assessments, visitor surveys, fire management, constructing trails, pamphlet development, seed collection, revegetation and promotional events. Participants worked closely with Aboriginal traditional owners, agency staff and community groups such as Birds SA and Friends of Parks Inc.

I congratulate Alisha Chaplin, Chelsea Butler, Dillon Milloy, Joel Schubert, Doug Wuttke, Ryan Duke, Tim Armstrong and Mark Doosjen-Stirling on their graduation and on their excellent contribution to our community and to our local environment.    I also pay tribute to Green Army supervisor, Adrian Williams, and to project sponsors, Conservation Volunteers Australia and the SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.

The Green Army is a hands-on, practical, grassroots environmental action program that supports local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia. The Green Army delivers tangible benefits for the environment and Australia's heritage, and provides young people with skills, training and experience to help them enter the workforce, improve their career opportunities and further their education and training. (Time expired)

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