Christmas Greetings from our President
As we approach the end of 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you all on behalf of the Hunter Region Landcare Network Committee.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, it has been a year of both significant challenges and rewarding growth. As Landcarers, we are no strangers to the changing environment, and this year was no exception. From navigating the complexities of our changing climate to the on-ground challenges we face in restoration and conservation, your resilience has been inspiring.
However, 2025 has also been a year of strategic steps forward. We have successfully continued the delivery of the NSW Landcare Program in our region, ensuring that our local groups have the support and resources they need. It has been a pleasure to see new connections formed and old ones strengthened across the Hunter.
A Few Year-End Updates:
- Strategic Direction: The Committee has been working hard to ensure HRLN remains a strong voice for our region. We are focused on building a sustainable future for the network and supporting the incredible work you do on the ground.
- Gratitude: I want to extend a personal thank you to our dedicated staff and Coordinators. Your tireless work behind the scenes drives our success. To my fellow Committee members and every volunteer out getting their hands dirty—thank you for your passion and commitment.
Holiday Office Closure: Please note that the HRLN office will be taking a short break to recharge for the year ahead.
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Closing: Friday, 19th December
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Reopening: Monday, 5th January
I hope you all take this opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy the festive season with your families and friends. You have earned it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you all in 2026 for another productive year of Landcare.
Kindly,
Balaji Seshadri
President of Hunter Region Landcare Network.
Here are some highlights from 2025:
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- We consistently advocated for Landcare in the Hunter Region at State Advisory Council meetings and with Parliamentary Friends of Landcare. We also represented Hunter Landcare at the Landcare State Gathering, National Landcare Conference and Australian Association of Bush Regeneration state conference.
- We ran 25 workshops and events in partnership with Landcare groups, based on needs shared by Landcarers on the ground.
- Our Hunter Rainforest Revival project, headed by Stacy Mail, had an outstanding first year, kickstarting a groundswell of Love for the Scrub in the Maitland Region.
- Our Muswellbrook nursery, run by Paul Melehan provided quality stock for Landcare projects across the region, with a second nursery at Merriwa opening soon.
- The ground-breaking Birds, Bees and Butterflies program in Singleton Shire, coordinated by Meg Drinan, won a NSW Tidy Towns Sustainability Award.
- We supported our 30 member groups at working bees, providing advice, loaning equipment, helping with grants and showcasing groups at local and regional events to help boost short and long-term volunteer recruitment.
- We offered training programs and created resources available to the 260 volunteer Landcare groups in our region.
- We worked on Landcare’s sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation outcomes with partners including 9 local governments, Hunter Local Land Services, Biodiversity Conservation Trust and the Environmental Trust and Hunter New England Health.
- 100 Landcarers came together from across the region for our biennial muster in conjunction with Earthcare Park Landcare, supported by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program and Hunter Local Land Services.
- Our regional volunteer committee has worked tirelessly in the background to enable all these projects and support our 5 staff members out in the field.
- Sadly we lost some great Landcare advocates this year, who are sorely missed. We hope to ensure their legacies live on.
- We have also welcomed new faces who have brought new strength and skills to the network. We look forward to their contributions.
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Hunter Region Landcare Muster at Earthcare Park, Tenambit – September 2025. Thank you to all who attended and helped make the event a success.