Tim Neale

Precision Agriculture

Tim has a long association with agriculture in the Condamine catchment. After working for the Department of Primary Industries he moved into his own consultancy which he’s run for the past 10 years. During this time, Tim has dedicated himself to all things precision agriculture. Never afraid of something new, Tim has been an early supporter of zero till, controlled traffic and using technology to improve farming practices. He has developed a process for using satellite imagery to conduct annual groundcover surveys to identify risk areas. During the 2010-2011 floods, he got involved and established a web interface to manage requests for maps from landholders. He is based in Toowoomba but works all over the world delivering precision agricultural products and services. Tim is an innovative user of new technologies and is a worthy nominee for Outstanding Contribution to Land.

Mary-Lou Gittins

Mary-Lou is a strong believer in active and positive community participation and representation. Her contribution is testimony to this fervent belief. As well as the full-time occupations of educator and irrigator in Goomburra Valley in the upper Condamine catchment, Mary-Lou is a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Community Committee, former Chair and continuing active member of the Condamine Catchment Management Authority and a keen contributor to the greater dairy industry. Her extensive involvement at a local, regional, state and federal level makes Mary-Lou a worthy nominee for Outstanding Contribution to People

Nevin Olm

Nevin and his wife are organic grain growers at their properties Glenoak and Oaklands on the fertile Haystack Plain. His passion for farming and rural life is well known and respected throughout the local community. As well as running his own successful farming enterprises, Nevin has dedicated 10 years to the Brigalow Jimbour Floodplains Group as its Coordinator. During this time, Nevin has been instrumental in the group’s successes, one of which was spearheading the first large scale integrated catchment management project in Queensland which resulted in $30 million being contributed by local, state and federal governments to sustainable farming practices.

Theresa Pilcher

Theresa has been the driving force behind the Young Dairy Network program on the Darling Downs since 2006. Raised on a dairy farm south of Toowoomba and now based at Thallon, Theresa is a proud and passionate champion of both the Darling Downs and young farmers. She considers her involvement in the network as being fun, exciting and incredibly rewarding. Wanting to expand on this involvement, Theresa took on the role of project manager of the Young Dairy Network to help other young farmers in the northern dairy industry experience and enjoy the same benefits.

Geoff Cornford

North Australian Pastoral Company, Bowenville

The North Australian Pastoral Company is one of Australia’s largest beef producers with a herd of approximately 200,000 cattle. It operates 13 cattle stations across Queensland and the Northern Territory as well as the Wainui (pron: Why-nu-ee) Feedlot on the Darling Downs. Over the past 7 years, NAPCO has demonstrated an admirable commitment to improving the management of all their property’s water assets along Oakey Creek. This has involved increasing the water usage effectiveness for livestock and grain production and protecting vulnerable riparian areas. General Manager of Feedlot and Farm, Geoff Cornford, has been key to these fundamental improvements to protecting one of the catchment’s largest waterways. His contribution makes him a commendable nominee for Outstanding Contribution to Water.

Matthew Ostwald

Ostwald Brothers, Dalby

The upgrade and opening of the Loudoun Weir Fishway is arguably the most important environmental project to have been completed in the Dalby area in recent times. This was possible due to the generous involvement of Ostwald Brothers who contributed more than $100,000 in construction and engineering support. The family-owned company was the first commercial business to get involved and they continued to be the project’s greatest supporter despite the challenges along the way. The company, based in Dalby, maintains strong connections to the community and has a solid track record of supporting community initiatives. Under Matthew Ostwald’s leadership, engineers John Huynh and Alan Murray supported by concrete supervisor Clayton Kuhl and their operational crews, completed extensive civil and concrete works for the project. Today, the Loudoun Weir Fishway is a great success story in the Condamine catchment, and Ostwald Brothers played a significant role in that success.

Noal Kuhl

Oakey Freshwater Fish Stocking Association

Noal is a quiet achiever so it is fortunate that actions speak louder than words. Over many years, Noal has dedicated significant time and effort to improving conditions for native fish throughout the Condamine catchment. He has worked tirelessly with government and the wider community and has developed strong working relationships with landowners whose properties incorporate sections of the catchment’s waterways. Noal has spearheaded the very successful rehabilitation program within the Oakey Freshwater Fish Stocking Association area. During this time he has initiated a 10 year creel survey between Kingsthorpe and Cecil Plains, been heavily involved in the Dewfish Demonstration Reach at Bowenville Reserve, played a role in the liberation of 550,000 fish into the association’s stocking area, and conducted a Murray cod grow-out trial. Noal is relentless in his work to protect native fish and look after waterways. As if his achievements to date were not enough, this year Noal has initiated a carp eradication program and is currently involved with the initial planning of collecting Murray cod broodstock from external waters for possible future stockings to local waters.

Nevin Olm

Brigalow

Nevin’s outstanding contribution to sustainable land management practices has earned him a second nomination in tonight’s Awards. Nevin has a formidable reputation for walking the talk. He and his fellow land managers on the Haystack floodplains are recognised as some of the earliest and most enthusiastic adopters of sustainable land management practices such as zero till and controlled traffic. His support for improved spray practices and technologies has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in efficiency, and his ability to lead and inspire has meant the Jimbour plain is some of the best managed land in the catchment.

Terry Elliott

Quality Agricultural Services and Chinchilla Landcare

Apart from his hat, Terry is well known for his strong and diligent commitment to improved farming practices. He has a long and successful record of involvement in all types of engagement programs to improve practices, increase knowledge and develop skills amongst land managers. He is particularly passionate about grazing and pasture management and how to look after the health of our wonderfully fertile catchment soils. As well as running his own business, Terry is the part-time coordinator of Chinchilla Landcare which is an extremely active group dedicated to an ecologically sustainable environment. Through his involvement with Chinchilla Landcare, Terry has managed many on ground projects and property trials as well as capacity building workshops and information sessions.

Tim Neale

Precision Agriculture

Tim has a long association with agriculture in the Condamine catchment. After working for the Department of Primary Industries he moved into his own consultancy which he’s run for the past 10 years. During this time, Tim has dedicated himself to all things precision agriculture. Never afraid of something new, Tim has been an early supporter of zero till, controlled traffic and using technology to improve farming practices. He has developed a process for using satellite imagery to conduct annual groundcover surveys to identify risk areas. During the 2010-2011 floods, he got involved and established a web interface to manage requests for maps from landholders. He is based in Toowoomba but works all over the world delivering precision agricultural products and services. Tim is an innovative user of new technologies and is a worthy nominee for Outstanding Contribution to Land.

David Allworth

During David’s association with planting and revegetation projects, he has helped plant more than 350,000 native trees from the Lockyer area to Roma. His contribution has included revegetation, supply of native plants, translocation of threatened plants from development areas, nomination of a new ecosystem for national protection and identification of regeneration potential of native ecosystems throughout the Condamine catchment. David is a respected expert in native plant identification and the management of grasslands and their associated threatened species. As a result, his contribution to wildlife has indeed been outstanding.

Garry Wilson

Toowoomba Regional Council

Garry is the coordinator of Conservation and Pest Management, for the southern area, at Toowoomba Regional Council. He has served in various local governments for 17 years and has been involved in the environment, natural resources and pest management field for 30. He credits his respect and appreciation of the environment to being raised on a 10,000 acre cattle, sheep and wheat property in north western New South Wales. There he learnt a practical, common sense approach to balancing biodiversity and wildlife conservation with farming. Over the past 10 years, Garry has demonstrated exceptional leadership in pest management throughout the region. He has worked closely with Landcare groups, regional bodies and landholders to build positive networks and deliver on ground outcomes that provide direct benefits to biodiversity. His ability to achieve meaningful collaboration between all players has been invaluable.

Rick Galbraith

Aquila NRM

Rick has a lifelong passion for the natural environment and assisting landholders to better understand and manage the natural resources contained on the lands under their stewardship. For the past 20 years Rick has worked in the areas of environment and natural resource management with local government, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service and a number of NRM Regional bodies and Landcare Groups. Rick played a key role in developing the former Crows Nest Shire Council NRM program which saw a range of projects being undertaken with landholders. This program was twice a National Finalist in the National Local Government Landcare Awards. He also facilitated the introduction of the voluntary conservation program - Land for Wildlife – in the Queensland Murray Darling Basin. Rick likes to think outside the box and his coffee and soil carbon mornings are just one example of this. Based in the picturesque Crows Nest, Rick sums up his work as facilitating NRM practice change in individuals and communities via coffee shops, pizza and fun projects.

Dr David Freebairn

David’s soil research conducted over the past 30 years has significantly contributed to current best practice soil management methods in the Condamine catchment and beyond. His gully and sheet erosion methods were recognised for application across Australia. David joined the Department of Primary Industries in 1976 where he specialised in soil physics before he joined Brisbane consulting firm, RPS, five years ago. His research has led to a better understanding of processes and practices that influence water and soil conservation. But he also recognised the need for methods to better communicate those findings. As a result he developed action learning tools and software products that are now used extensively across Australia.

Dr Paul Clayton

Paul has been responsible for significant and innovative research into the identification, classification and assessment of wetlands across the catchment. In the last decade, he has contributed his extensive expertise and support on many projects related to aquatic ecosystems. Most recently, he was involved in the Environmental Values and Water Quality guidelines. His wetland research has now been adopted by the Queensland government and rolled out across the state. Paul is General Manager of consulting firm RPS for Toowoomba and Ipswich and is the Technical Director for Water.

Stephen Wiedemann

FSA Consulting

Stephen is an agricultural scientist with FSA Consulting in Toowoomba. He has recently undertaken ground breaking research for the intensive agricultural industry. This research explored the use of recycled organics and nutrient management for Australian pig, egg, chicken and beef producers. It has significant upshots for this industry and as a result, it’s now been expanded nationally across additional sectors. Stephen and the professional team at FSA Consulting work closely with local feedlots and abattoirs in the Condamine catchment. Their ongoing commitment in this area has helped to achieve improved outcomes in nutrient management, sustainable manure reuse and energy and water efficiency.

ABC Southern Queensland

ABC Southern Queensland has demonstrated a strong commitment to covering interesting and important natural resource management issues throughout the Condamine catchment. The news team is approachable and keen to learn what is making NRM news. Its on-air presenters have also consistently been willing to explore story ideas and support worthwhile causes. Their dedicated rural reporter Arlie Felton-Taylor is an exceptional advocate of the catchment’s agricultural and farming communities and is a dependable news source for the region.

Queensland Country Life

Unfortunately, the team from Queensland Country Life couldn’t be with us tonight because they are in Rockhampton with Beef Week. However, in their absence we can say this. There is no denying Queensland Country Life’s dedication to rural Queensland and the issues that are important to the many people who are connected to the land. Their far-reaching appeal and influence makes them an important information source for many people through the Condamine catchment. An agricultural readership survey found Queensland Country Life to have an average issue readership of 90% of the state’s broad-acre farm owners and managers.

Rural Weekly

The Southern edition of Rural Weekly is a useful and dependable source of news and information for the Darling Downs. The weekly edition is inserted into the main local newspapers that are published throughout the catchment including The Chronicle, Dalby Herald, Warwick Daily News and Chinchilla News and Murilla Advertiser. In recent times rural reporter Laura Hunt has demonstrated a keen and friendly approach to natural resource management activities and story ideas. This has significantly helped to increase awareness of NRM issues and achievements throughout the catchment community.

Dr Kate Reardon-Smith

Cambooya Landcare

Kate has been nominated because of her enduring dedication to the environment and the Landcare movement. She has been a key member of Cambooya Landcare since its inception in 1993. During this time she has initiated and implemented many environmental projects and helped to raise awareness of native flora and fauna and appropriate land management to protect and improve biodiversity. She has been an active member of the Friends of Felton group providing well-researched responses and submissions about the potential social and environmental impacts of mining developments in agricultural areas. Kate has undertaken an extensive research project on the “Disturbance of ecology in the riparian woodlands of the Upper Condamine Floodplain, Southern Queensland” to successfully complete her PhD with the University of Southern Queensland’s Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments. Her extensive knowledge of the region’s ecosystems is a valuable asset for natural resource management in the Condamine catchment. Kate has also been an excellent mentor to younger people eager to be involved in environmental work, providing guidance with a friendly and cooperative spirit.

Pam Postle

Pittsworth Landcare

Pam and her family have been farming in the Condamine catchment for 45 years. Pam was instrumental in starting the Pittsworth and District Landcare Group in 1989 at the dawn of the Landcare movement. Her significant contributions to Landcare have had lasting impacts; helping farmers to access information and support to improve their management practices for the health of the environment and sustainability of farming in the district. She has been a key element in various committees locally and statewide, including the former Central Downs Landcare that has delivered many valuable environmental projects in partnership with Condamine Alliance. Her patience, good counsel and extensive local knowledge of the people and places of the Condamine and passion for the environment have served her community well. While Pam does not seek accolades or recognition, her contributions are significant and valuable and make her a worthy nominee for this award.

Susan Savage

Killarney Bushcare

Susan founded Killarney Bushcare in 2008. She was motivated to preserve natural areas of bushland through activities ranging from weeding, propagating and planting in the region’s rainforest and riparian areas. The group now has about 30 members and has overseen some of the most successful environmental ventures in the Southern Downs, including the 2010 Bushcare weekend which has now become a biennial event due to its enormous success.

Bowenville State School

Bowenville State School has been a regular and enthusiastic supporter of environmental initiatives in their school and local community. Students, teachers and parents have all be part of practical activities that make a real difference. The school has participated in tree planting days, tackled vandalism, contributed to the Dewfish Demonstration Reach DVD and presented to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Students in particular have grown fond of Dr John Standley’s talks about soil and water testing. Despite limited resources, the school has always found a way to be involved in a positive and meaningful way. Without their willingness to be involved, the job of rehabilitating sections of the Reach would have been nearly impossible. Representing the school tonight is principal Lee Miller.

Clifton State High School

For many years, Clifton State High School has encouraged students to protect, promote and preserve their environment. As part of its school program, they take students out of the classroom and into the local environment for practical and hands-on learning. The school has undertaken a wide range of environmental initiatives to address vandalism, engage community groups and revegetate Passmore Reserve which is west of Clifton. The school adopted Passmore Reserve as its outdoor classroom and use the area to teach students about Aboriginal culture, water quality, pest fish and biodiversity. The school’s passionate and proactive teaching staff meant it was also the first school to be involved in projects and activities associated with the River. Accepting tonight’s nomination is principal Joy Craig and Deputy Principal Charlotte White.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby

The College has been on a crusade ever since it started an environment club as part of the Condamine Crusaders program. The students called themselves the Eco Warriors and they have lived up to the name. With the support of teachers and parents, the students established four flourishing vegetable gardens which supply fresh produce to the school community and tuckshop. The gardens have been a big hit throughout the school and many students have joined the group as a result. Their diligent and enthusiastic work even earned them a spot on WIN television’s School of the Week segment. The College has also been involved in helping to look after the local creeks and rivers in the River Rescue Program. Accepting tonight’s nomination is students Laura MacDougall and Maddison Shragg.

Condamine Balonne Water Committee

The Condamine Balonne Water Committee is a not-for-profit community group that was formed in 1981 to focus on water quality in the Condamine catchment. The committee represents catchment communities from the headwaters at Killarney through to Brewarrina in north western New South Wales. Over the past 31 years, they have initiated and led projects to research, monitor and achieve improvements in water related issues within the catchment. They have a strong track record in identifying and addressing water quality issues and have undertaken significant work in monitoring and minimising pesticide levels in riverine environments and coordinating water quality monitoring at key sites within the catchment. One of their most significant contributions has been the coordination of the water quality management plan which assessed the herbicide, pesticide and soil loads into the river and has been used by mining and industrial companies as part of their environmental impact statements. The committee is a passionate and dedicated group who is maintaining the tradition set down by their former chairman, the late Dick Aland.

Department of Agriculture

Fisheries and Forestry

Fisheries Queensland has been a strong supporter and contributor to the catchment’s River Rescue program. On many occasions, the team of Stephanie Challen, Greg Ringwood, Adam Butcher, Andrew Norris, Michael Hutchinson, Andrew Berghuis and Danielle Stewart have gone above and beyond to help achieve meaningful outcomes for the catchment’s natural resources. The Department has provided valuable scientific advice with baseline surveys and the Whole of Life and Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for the Dewfish Demonstration Reach. Their scientists developed innovative modification designs for the Loudoun Weir fishway, lunkers at Myall Creek and carp traps to help remove pest fish. Their involvement in community-based events has been exceptional – always a keen participant in school visits, fishing competitions, information days and in-stream educational events along the Condamine River.

Western Downs Regional Council

Western Downs Regional Council has provided broad-ranging support for vital natural resource initiatives in the catchment. They were an important partner in the upgrade of the Loudoun Weir Fishway and have been regular supporters of community events including fishing competitions, information days and tree planting activities. Council has also been proactive and undertaken its own environmental initiatives. The new water recycling plant has been a significant project for the region, saving 365-million litres of potable water every year. Council also moved quickly to protect riparian areas at St Ruth’s Reserve along the Condamine River by funding and completing a report on how to protect and improve native flora and fauna. Council is fortunate to have many dedicated and talented staff who work hard to deliver improved natural resource management outcomes. Special recognition must go to Todd Summerville, Mick Gleeson, Chris Gaschk as well as Terry Fagg, Kelvin Woods and the Parks and Gardens team.