South East Landcare

Celebration and connection.

A stunning location and a powerful space allowed us to get to know each other, build connections and gain greater awareness of ourselves and how we are all allied in our South East region.

Capacity to Deliver - LP036-R003

The issue

2020 has been an extremely challenging year for most people.

The South East region was emerging from drought, when ravaged by bushfires, floods and then a pandemic.

Although Covid-19 has led to many working from home, many local landcare coordinators do this as a part of their job. This can be quite isolating and the Tombarra visit (near Braidwood) for 2 days in November, was a fantastic opportunity to enable coordinators to meet face to face.

The solution

It was a great opportunity for the local Landcare coordinators to meet their partners from Local Land Services (LLS), Gotcha4Life, and the NSW Program team. Having guests stay & participate, enabled incidental conversations & a better understanding of the partnerships of the NSW Landcare Program.

Leanne Brook (LLS) Aboriginal Community Support Officer, engaged us in conversations around Aboriginal awareness and fires and these topics were rated as the ones that participants got most value from.

The impact

When asked for feedback, the take home ‘best things’ were casual discussion, building trust and rapport with others and identifying future project collaborations.

 ‘It was great to feel part of a bigger community with access to peoples’ wonderful skills, knowledge and warmth.’

'I can't imagine how I could deliver for my community if I didn't have the support of the RCOP. Practically my skills and knowledge grow every time we come together. Emotionally, my positivity, sense of purpose and resourcefulness is recharged. RCOP is my tribe.'

Learnings

What is possible when we support each other in our work to strengthen our capacity to manage uncertain times.

Author: Linda Cavanagh

Key facts

  • Art of Hosting principles were used to design the gathering and introduce the principles of how we meet.
  • Sessions included information on time management verses self management and communication with care.
  • A good mix of Landcare program support, partnership development and care of ourselves and each other.