Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Muster 2025
A co-designed regional muster to strengthen connections across the Landcare network, and with key partners.
Capacity building - LEP_035_RLC
The issue
Landcare in the Central Tablelands region has been growing in recent years, with increasing collaboration at the regional level. However there is still a need to continue to strengthen relationships across the region, to increase communication flow and foster collaboration. Through discussions about needs in the region, it was identified that the visibility of Landcare’s work can still be low, and that volunteer fatigue and difficulty attracting new participants are ever-present challenges. We came together asking ‘how can we gather in a meaningful way at the regional level, to meet the needs of Landcare in our region?’
The solution
We followed a co-design process for a Regional Landcare Muster, ensuring that we clarified purpose, people, and outcomes before jumping to program details. Diverse stakeholders (LLCs, LLS, and the regional steering committee) collaborated through iterative meetings, ensuring shared ownership, with a smaller design team then working through the details. This was the first time we had planned a muster of this scale, open to partners and volunteers, as well as staff and committee members. The program featured lightning talks, World Café discussions, creative elements like an art corner and collaborative timeline canvas, and networking opportunities. There were breakout sessions delivered by ANU Sustainable Farms, on farm dams, and Kim Boswell, on the changing face of volunteering. This inclusive, structured process balanced creativity and practicality while reducing stress and improving clarity.
The impact
The muster strengthened relationships between Landcare groups and with LLS and key partners, creating a sense of all being part of something bigger. Attendance was diverse, with new and familiar faces, and participants reported feeling energized and inspired. Lightning talks and interactive sessions showcased local projects and fostered knowledge sharing. Feedback highlighted the event’s creativity, flow, and balance of discussion and delivery. The collaborative design process built planning skills and shared ownership among team members. Landcare’s visibility improved, reinforcing the regional network’s role as a connector in the region and demonstrating the value of co-design for complex, community-driven events.
Learnings
The co-design process was key to the success of the event- it built a sense of shared ownership, and led to innovative and engaging program ideas. In the future, it would be helpful to start the planning process a month or two earlier to allow more time for logistics, mentoring, and task division. Although this format for a muster was very successful, we need to avoid assuming one format fits all; each muster should reflect current needs. The process confirmed that collaboration, clarity of intention, and flexibility are key to successful regional events.
Key facts
- A co-design process was used to plan a Regional Landcare Muster
- Over 80 participants gathered in Borenore, on July 30 2025.
- The program included talks from Landcare coordinators, volunteers and partners, as well as a world-cafe style conversation.