From innovative prickly acacia fighters to Landcare leaders, people that have worked to improve natural resources across five north western shires have been recognised once again at Australia Day celebrations.
The 2021 Sarus Crane Award winners, presented with the support of Southern Gulf NRM, are Paul Johnson from Mount Isa, Drew and Annie Hacon of Cloncurry, McKinlay's Colin Malone, John and Susan Bellingham from Richmond, and Trevor Pugh of Flinders.
Southern Gulf NRM CEO Geoff Penton thanked the recipients for their tireless contributions to a productive and sustainable future for the Southern Gulf region.
"Their recognition through the award is well deserved," he said.
The McKinlay shire's 2021 recipient, Colin Malone was recognised for his enduring efforts and accomplishments as the McKinlay Shire Council ranger.
As well as running the stockyards, feral animal baiting program and providing advice to landholders, he has overcome many challenges to oversee and manage the clearing of prickly acacia and mesquite from all council-managed land.
He was described as having a wealth of knowledge that he shares with landholders to help improve land management on a larger scale.
Also acknowledged for his efforts against prickly acacia was Trevor Pugh the caretaker at Elvira, Elton Downs and Saranac Stations in the Flinders Shire Council area.
"As caretaker he has almost single-handedly cleared Elton Downs and Saranac of prickly acacia and is following up on Elvira after a joint Southern Gulf-Desert Channels Queensland project that cleared the property of the invasive plant," his citation reads.
Fellow innovative prickly acacia fighters John and Susan Bellingham received the Richmond Shire Council Sarus Crane award, but for their particular focus on soil conservation.
As conservative grass managers they practise excellent grazing land management and are very mindful of the vital role soil plays for productive pastures.
They continually seek opportunities to learn and have hosted field days that have brought erosion control experts to the region to further educate landholders in best practice land management.
They also undertook a major project, partly funded by Southern Gulf NRM, to construct whoa boys on all station tracks and fence lines.
"They actively seek opportunities to develop their land management practices," the award citation reads.
In the Cloncurry shire, the work that landholders Drew and Annie Hacon have done in the past two years to even out grazing pressure across their property was recognised with a Sarus Crane award.
They've fenced off several dams and installed many new water points associated with each fenced off dam to water adjacent paddock corners that were previously undergrazed, as well as subdividing paddocks to spell overgrazed areas.
They've also undertaken earthworks to address erosion on station tracks and fence lines.
In July last year the Hacons hosted Southern Gulf NRM erosion control workshops presented by Darryl Hill, after which many of the producers attending requested on-property visits by Mr Hill.
The final 2021 Sarus Crane awardee was Paul Johnson, the president of the Mount Isa Landcare Group and treasurer of the Gregory River Landcare Group.
As a longstanding member of both groups he has been an active contributor to environmental and heritage projects.
Mr Johnson is also a cornerstone of various community groups as well as a member of his local Rotary Club.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
