Victorian Landcare Magazine - Spring, Issue 92
Having helped establish the Birchip Landcare Group in 1988, Dorothy Reid continues her environmental leadership, now serving as the group’s
president almost 40 years on.
Dorothy has helped shape conservation efforts across the Buloke region through her vision, advocacy, collaboration and practical action. At 86 years of age, when most people would be pulling back from their involvement in volunteer groups, Dorothy stepped into the role of Chair during a period of uncertainty for the Birchip Landcare Group.
In their nomination, fellow landcarers remarked at how Dorothy provided the leadership, stability and direction to deliver meaningful environmental outcomes. However, her influence reaches far beyond landcare meetings and project planning.
Dorothy has long been a passionate advocate for environmental protection, regularly writing articles for local newspapers and publicising environmental issues affecting her community. She has also represented regional voices through the Mallee Catchment Management Authority’s Land and Water Advisory Committee, helping inform natural resource management decisions across the wider region.
Dorothy has carefully documented the biodiversity of her property, amassed an extensive collection of pressed plant specimens and contributed to environmental publications and technical reports that continue to support conservation and education throughout the Mallee.
On the Reid family farm, Dorothy has demonstrated landcare principles through action.
The family’s 75-acre Trust for Nature covenant protects an important wetland known as Reid’s Dam, while ongoing revegetation and habitat improvement works have enhanced conditions for native birds, mammals, reptiles and insects.
Dorothy regularly welcomes visitors, students and landcare members to the property, generously sharing her knowledge and experience. One of her most significant achievements came through the ‘Pipe-right’ campaign.
Concerned about the environmental impacts of replacing the Wimmera Mallee open channel system with pipelines, she helped mobilise more than 200 community members to advocate for environmental water allocations.
Years of persistence helped secure environmental water for wetlands across the region, creating important refuges for wildlife and lasting benefits for local communities.
“Dorothy’s exceptional memory, extensive knowledge of the local landscape and ability to bring people together have made her one of the Mallee’s most respected landcare leaders,” South East Mallee Landcare Network Facilitator Marissa Shean said.
“Her dedication, resilience, and willingness to continue serving her community well into her late eighties exemplify the values on which the Landcare movement was founded.”
Dorothy continues to attend field days, workshops and training opportunities, always looking for new knowledge to bring back to her community. Through her leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment, she has inspired generations of volunteers and created a lasting environmental legacy that continues to shape the future of landcare in the Mallee.
Ken Beasley has become one of the most recognisable and respected figures in landcare across the Bendigo region.
Through leadership roles with the Northern Bendigo Landcare Group and Ironbark Gully Friends Landcare Group, he has spent years building partnerships between volunteers, schools, government agencies, businesses and community organisations.
His work has helped secure funding for environmental projects, strengthen local landcare networks and create opportunities for people of all ages to connect with nature. A hands-on volunteer, Ken combines governance, advocacy and practical environmental action.
From revegetation projects and wetland restoration to school programs, nest box construction and community events, he has consistently led by example.
His enthusiasm for mentoring young people, supporting community groups and championing environmental causes has significantly benefited both the landscape and the broader Bendigo community.
Above: Ken Beasley (right) with fellow members at Ironbark Gully Friends Landcare Group’s National Tree Day event.
For more than three decades, Phil Williams has used his knowledge of native plants to support landcare and conservation efforts in the Pomonal district beneath the Grampians.
Together with his late wife Jane, he operated a nursery that supplied thousands of indigenous plants for revegetation projects, helping build strong relationships between landcare groups, landholders, government agencies and industry.
Phil’s commitment to the community was perhaps most evident after the devastating Pomonal bushfire of 2024 destroyed his home, native garden and nursery.
Rather than walk away, he returned to help rebuild the nursery as a community-owned asset that now supports fire recovery and environmental restoration across the district.
Through workshops, school partnerships and volunteer activities, Phil continues to share his knowledge and inspire others to become active custodians of their local environment.
Above: Phil Williams stands in a polytunnel built after the 2024 Pomonal bushfire.