Congratulations to Carmel Brown, Team Leader of Catherine Hill Bay Landcare and HRLN committee member, who was the recent recipient of the John Hughson ‘Soaring with the Eagles’ Award. This is the highest honour in the Lake Macquarie Landcare Network Environmental Excellence Awards and recognises an individual who has made a significant regional contribution to Landcare.
Carmel has dedicated herself to Landcare at Catherine Hill Bay for over twenty-four years and has made a lasting, significant impact on her local community and the district. After being a regular volunteer for over ten years, Carmel took on the Team Leader role for Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare in 2013. Under her guidance the group has been tireless in their efforts to address invasive weeds, plant native species, maintain pathways and look after the heritage areas. Through the challenges of harsh weather, erosion, vandalism of trees and fluctuating volunteer numbers, the team has remained resilient.
Carmel receiving her award from Jodie Harrison MP at the 2024 Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards – Lake Macquarie Landcare
This is an extremely well-deserved award, that recognises the unique blend of caring and creative community-building that Carmel brings to Landcare.
What keeps Carmel in the Landcare movement?
“I’m continually inspired by the people in Catho still fighting to protect history and community. My bit is giving the flora and fauna a helping hand here, and across the Hunter.”
Where did you get your love of the bush?
“I grew up in country NSW, helping my parents create native gardens in our schoolyards and principals’ residences. I guess that’s why I chose to live at Catherine Hill Bay 26 years ago, despite the cottage having boards hanging off – the village, bush and beach were like home.”
Carmel’s journey with Landcare began in 2003 when she and her son Ben joined 1st Swansea Scouts Landcare. “We saw the hall become surrounded with bushes, the lake edge changed from kikuyu to native plants, and best of all, local Indigenous elders joined us in planting a bush tucker garden.” Carmel was Team Leader of the group from 2004 to 2006, when she and Ben left Cubs.
In 2005 Carmel helped restart the Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare and in 2013 she also joined the Lake Macquarie Landcare Volunteer Network Committee. Carmel’s other valuable contributions over the years span all levels of involvement in Landcare. As well as serving as chair of Lake Macquarie Landcare Network for several years, she has been a long-term committee member of Hunter Region Landcare Network.
Carmel on a site tour with HRLN committee and staff.
What does Landcare mean to you?
“I just love Landcare. It’s so great! I’ve met local people, made friends and learned about the endemic plants of the area. We’ve planted out sites with native species and created educational areas, to show people how the bush should look in its natural state.”
The low-down on Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare
Catherine Hill Bay is on Awabakal Country, located on the peninsula to the south-east of Lake Macquarie. The Dunecare group began on Clean Up Australia Day in 1991 with 100 residents, Coal and Allied, National Parks and Wildlife Service, police and Lake Macquarie Council cleaning up Moonee Beach together. This area was then included in Lake Munmorah State Conservation Area.
David and Linsey Goff (Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare Team Members), Carmel Brown (CHBD Team Leader) and Wendy Gleen (Lake Macquarie Landcare Support Officer and Green Team Coordinator).
The group now works across two sites. The South Beach site consists of two dunes intersected by a beach access track. The northern site is a dune and forested area of Crown Land adjoining the historic town cemetery. The group focuses on dune regeneration by the removal of weeds and stabilisation by plantings. Bitou Bush re-infestations are an ongoing problem needing close monitoring and continual follow-up. Many people and groups have contributed to the bush regeneration projects at the sites over the years, including the Dunecare group, Conservation Volunteers and Lake Macquarie Landcare bush regeneration teams. The range of bird species at the sites is a pleasing indication of the health of the bush and the positive impact the team is having.
To connect with Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare, contact Carmel on 0438 499 636. New volunteers are always welcome and there are monthly working bees at 3-5pm on the first Monday (northern site) and third Thursday (southern site).