Our Team - Hunter Region Landcare Network

Stacy Mail

Lower and Mid Hunter Local Landcare Coordinator

I have always loved nature and the great outdoors. Though it wasn’t a direct path, it is no surprise that I found my way to a rewarding career in Natural Resource Management! Working for Conservation Volunteers Australia, I led many projects in the Hunter Region including Green Army and bush regeneration teams and I still volunteer with native animal rescue groups.

My Landcare passion and aspirations are that I want to see people of all ages working together in Landcare to sustain our natural environment. True connection and community building come when we work together, share experiences, and learn from each other, not from social media (though useful for communication). I am committed to supporting the efforts of all our valuable Landcarers in the Lower Hunter. I aim to engage with the wider community for the benefit of the environment and us all.

Paul Melehan

Upper Hunter Landcare Coordinator

I have been involved in natural resource management (NRM) and Landcare for over 25 years in the Hunter region. My expertise includes seed collection and propagation, and I oversee the nursery operations at the Muswellbrook Sustainability Hub. I am also working on a book on flora of the Upper Hunter and bush tucker.

I am available for advice on a wide range of NRM matters from native and pasture grass identification, revegetation, vegetation-community assessments, and site assessments. Just drop in and see me at Muswellbrook Sustainability Hub.

I live in the Upper Hunter in a small town, enjoy riding my motorbike, and looking for rare plants such as Fairy Bells.

Henrietta Mooney

Regional Landcare Coordinator

I have been fortunate to have lived on the northern beaches of Sydney and in the Upper Hunter, enjoying nature in a vast array of environments. Now settled in Newcastle, I enjoy wandering and working in our bushland, coastal areas and grasslands.

I have worked as an Ecologist since 1995 with non-profit and government organisations, almost always involved in Landcare in urban and rural areas. I am also a Natural History Illustrator, which has allowed me to document Australia’s unique flora and fauna in a different way, inspired by Naturalists such as Ferdinand Bauer.

I have always found Landcare to be a wonderful way of bringing people together to care for and preserve our natural environment, but it also builds on the strength and resilience of our communities. My wish is for Landcare across the country to grow and continue to provide a voice for healthy landscapes and healthy people.

Stephen Thatcher

Chairperson

I have been a member of Hunter Region Landcare Network since 1996 and have been awarded life membership. I have participated in every NSW Landcare conference since its inception.

I was involved in setting up the Landcare demonstration site at Lake Liddell Recreation Area Reserve in 2004 and have been chair since 2004.

I have been a leader in the Scouting movement for over 40 years.

Muscle Creek Landcare group was formed in 1995 and I was a founding member.

Lyn Morris

Secretary/Treasurer

I got my interest in native plants from my dad, Bob Jones, who was a lifetime member and previous president and secretary of the Society for Growing Australian Plants. He was a relative of Don McNair (of the Don McNair herbarium of University of Newcastle) and they went travelling a lot to outback Aus. I remember as a kid we went on S.G.A.P. outings on weekends.

I have been volunteering with Shortland Wallsend Landcare every Tuesday for about 3 years. Committee member since October 2017. I love Landcare because satisfaction it brings in looking after the environment and seeing the positive changes we make. I enjoy the social interaction and the good friends made along the way.

Carmel Brown

Committee Member

I grew up in country NSW, helping my parents create native gardens in our schoolyards and principal’s residences. I guess that’s why I chose to live at Catherine Hill Bay decades ago, despite the cottage having boards hanging off, the village, bush and beach were like home.

Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare started regenerating dunes to the north on Graveyard Beach, and the banks of Catherine Hill Bay Creek, at the south end. I joined the Lake Macquarie Landcare Network Committee in 2013 and became the chair for a few years. In 2016 I gained my Diploma in Conservation and Land Management from Tocal.

Why am I still in Landcare? I am 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.

Leslie Pearson

Committee Member

I have always had an interest in agriculture and the environment. When I was a college council member (2008 to 2014) of St Philip’s Christian College at Nulkaba, I had the opportunity to develop a college property plan for the 42ha site. I encouraged the establishment of a Junior Landcare group at the college and became a member of the Hunter Region Landcare Network.

During 2016 I gained a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management to increase my understanding of issues related to our environment and to identify ways by which Landcare groups could make a difference.

Since 2011 I have been involved as a member of the Network. From 2012 I coordinated the River Red Gum Project. I occupied the position of deputy chair in 2016 and the role of chair from 2018 to 2020. For health reasons, I have stepped down from that role and am currently a member of the committee.

Lois Simpson

Committee Member

In our Australian bush is the place I feel most at ease. There I see the network of life in action, and I must thank my mum for opening my eyes to the wonder of it all. Sadly, we see it fractured more and more as our human footprint expands. Sadly, also, as individuals, we cannot save the world.

I can, however, do my bit as a Landcarer to protect and improve my small patch and I firmly believe that volunteer Landcarers across our land are part of the
answer. That belief has led me to be active in Lake Macquarie for twelve years or so, working on several sites, alongside inspiring people and so well supported by our local council. Add to that our involvement in the broader Hunter Region Landcare Network, and we begin to feel the strength of a large band of like-minded people working for such a worthwhile common cause.

Rebecca Coventry

Committee Member

I have qualifications in agricultural science, education and natural area restoration.

I worked as an education officer for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah and as an agricultural salinity officer in the Murray Valley.

In the Hawkesbury area, I worked in catchment management and as an aquatic weeds officer.

I now live at Congewai where I am a horse breeder, bush regenerator, and president of Congewai Valley Landcare.

I am passionate about natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.

Jenny Castles

Committee Member

I have lived in Shortland for more than 50 years and worn hats on many environmental committees. I am one of the original members of the Hunter Region Landcare Network and have attended almost every meeting since its formation. I have always been very passionate for the Network.

I was a founding member of the Shortland to Wallsend Landcare group which was the first Landcare group in the Newcastle local government area.

I have been actively involved at the Hunter Wetlands Centre at Shortland in many roles including volunteer Landcare facilitator, board member and site committee member.