The South Gippsland Landcare Network community received three honours at the 2026 Victorian
Landcare Awards. The winners were announced at a ceremony at The Edge, Federation Square, on
Thursday 15 October.
Ian and Gaye Cornthwaite of the Strzelecki Plant Farm and the Allambee Community Landcare Group
won the Australian Government Community Partnerships Landcare Award. The South Gippsland
Landcare Network (SGLN) was Highly Commended in the Network category. SGLN’s Cassie Wright
and Chair Jillian Staton won the Horrie Poussard Prize for their article on the Tracy demonstration site,
published in the Victorian Landcare Magazine.
The Victorian Landcare Awards are part of a prestigious biennial national program. They recognise
individuals, groups and organisations making outstanding contributions to caring for the environment in
their local communities, for the benefit of all Australians today and for generations to come. The
ceremony was hosted by Costa Georgiadis. Presenters included Peter Garrett AM, former federal
Environment Minister and Chair of Landcare Australia, Jane Carney, Chair of Landcare Victoria, and
the Governor of Victoria.
Ian and Gaye Cornthwaite’s award recognises their contribution through the Strzelecki Plant Farm and
the Allambee Community Landcare Group. SGLN’s Highly Commended result comes following the
Network’s 30th year.
“These awards are a wonderful recognition of our Landcare community,” said SGLN Chair Jillian
Staton. “Ian and Gaye’s win is thoroughly deserved and a proud moment for Allambee, and our
commendation belongs to our volunteers, our Landcare Groups, our staff and our partners. Our
community’s commitment to South Gippsland’s natural environment is as strong as ever.”
Ms Wright and Ms Staton’s prize-winning article showcased a demonstration site at the Tracy family’s
dairy farm at Waratah Bay, comparing conventional to multispecies pastures. “It’s really inspiring to
work with the Tracys and with Jade Killoran, to see how the multispecies pastures cost half as much
however grew 50% more biomass and better quality feed.” said Ms Wright. “We hope the story of the
Tracy site inspires more landholders to give it a go on their own properties.
The award winners are featured in the Spring 2026 edition of the Victorian Landcare Magazine:
www.landcarevic.org.au/landcare-magazine/landcare-magazine-spring-2026/.
