Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Landcare has achieved so much for our environment, and I salute all winners and the 65 finalists in the National Landcare Awards, announced last week. But I wish to make special mention of two particular groups from Mayo: the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group, which was named the national coastal winner, and the Mount Compass Area School Swamp Ambassadors, who won the national Junior Landcare Team Award.

I have visited and seen the work of both these groups many times. In fact I spent World Environment Day on Hindmarsh Island, celebrating the planting of the group's half-millionth seedling since the start of the Murray Mouth restoration project. I've also visited the Mount Compass Area School Swamp Ambassadors, who are the custodians of the school's critically endangered Fleurieu swamp.

Other worthy mentions include Peter Watton, the SA finalist for the Individual Landcarer Award, for his work in the Scott Creek Conversation Park; the Goolwa to Wellington LAP, the SA finalist for the Partnerships for Landcare Award; and Grace Bassett, a Mount Compass Area School student who was a finalist in the Young Landcare Leader Award. Go, Grace! I am so proud of you. Congratulations to all involved in Landcare. You do a great service to our nation.

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