I came to Gympie Landcare about 9 years ago and in that time I have seen the organisation grow and improve. As the Nursery Manager I am responsible for all things plant related including plant propagation and sales, advising clients about the characteristics of native plants, answering their questions and making recommendations about plants suited to their needs. I also manage and train a great team of volunteer staff and can honestly say that I love my job particularly talking to our customers who become like friends and family. My interests include the environment and helping people to embrace native plants and I have a passion for gardening which I believe is the greatest therapy.
I oversee Gympie and District Landcare’s administration, ensure a wide range of records are kept for project and Group reporting needs and provide office support to the formal roles of Treasurer and Secretary. I help coordinate the implementation of a range of externally funded activities, respond to inquiries from Landcare members and the public. I also provide support to landholders and neighbourhood groups wanting to develop their own project and funding applications. I have been a member of the Gympie and District Landcare Group since arriving in Gympie and am keen to motivate others to engage in practical land care activities.
I have been working with Gympie Landcare since 2015 and studied Horticulture in 2000. Before Landcare I worked at a number of commercial farms producing everything from Australian native plants, cut flowers, and small crops. I’ve also carried out public works including vegetation management in the Wet Tropics World Heritage areas and Cape York. I like the variety of what we do as I get to spend time in different environments in our region meeting many landowners who are passionate about what they do. After work I enjoy my garden. I grow a mix of local native species and exotics. I love to get out in the bush and enjoy the trails, streams and hidden places. For me it is important that we look after the land and leave a good legacy for future generations to use and enjoy, and I think that what we do at Landcare certainly makes a difference.
I was looking for a complete change from my career in insurance when I moved to Gympie a few years ago. I came to Landcare as a volunteer and initially worked in the office. When a vacancy came up in Bio-Control I was immediately attracted because it was so different to anything I had ever done before and I had the opportunity to be outside doing physical work. It was a steep learning curve but two and a half years later I know I made the right choice. I work with a great team where I continually learn. My job involves the breeding of the Tingid bug, the Jewel beetle and the Madeira beetle to help deal with cats claw creeper and the Madeira vine. My ultimate aim is the eradication of cats claw, and while this may not be possible, I am always searching for new ideas and looking for new approaches. I am currently experimenting with the leaf tying moth but it is only early days.
I have always loved nature and working for Landcare gives me the opportunity to work in an environment where I can see butterflies, birds and on a rainy day smell the beautiful scent of honey coming from the hives.
I started at Landcare as a volunteer and am now working part time as an assistant, supporting all the teams with their administration. I enjoy the variety and in particular the developing of marketing material which gives me the opportunity to be more creative. The volunteer ethic is really strong at Landcare and when I have time I still enjoy helping the nursery team.
