Pip Courtney Confirmed as Presenter at 2026 Landcare Expo 9th March

Pip Courtney has been reporting for the ABC’s national rural affairs program Landline for 30 years and has been host since 2012. She‘s won numerous journalism awards for her reporting on agriculture, business, sport, the environment, medicine and education. Career highlights include being named Queensland Journalist of the Year in 2007 with colleague Sally Sara and winning the International Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism in 2011. Pip was inducted into Queensland’s Rural Journalism Hall of Fame in 2018, and most recently won the 2024 National Star Prizes for Rural Broadcasting. Born and bred in Tasmania Pip took up a graduate cadetship at the ABC in Hobart in 1986, working in radio and television news. She worked for the 7.30 Report in Melbourne but is best known for her rural reporting, which began when she moved to Canberra on the “Mainland” in 1993 to work for Landline. Melbourne followed but she’s now based in Brisbane. Rural reporting has taken Pip to every Australian state and territory, as well as China, Peru, Timor Leste, the USA, Cambodia and Laos. She has been an MC, keynote speaker and panel moderator for over a decade. As well as story-hunting and storytelling, Pip loves Tasmania, horses, cats, champagne and sheep.

A recent Topsoils event in Genoa brought together farmers from remote areas to share knowledge on improving agricultural productivity.

The day also provided a rare and valuable opportunity for social connection.

Josh said it has been particularly rewarding to work with smaller Landcare groups this year.

“Despite increasing administrative demands, these groups remain determined to keep achieving positive outcomes for their communities.”

Planning is already underway for next year’s program as Landcare celebrates 40 years.

For more information, visit fevl.org.au or drop into the Landcare office next door to the Orbost Post Office.

Far East Victoria Landcare is set to conclude a vibrant and productive year with three exciting community events,

each offering opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Landcare – an important milestone for the movement across Australia.

– November 28, Marlo Landcare: Plants That Shape Our Shore

Held at the Marlo Angling Club, this presentation explores the coastal plants that define, stabilise, and protect our shoreline.

– December 4, Jarrahmond Landcare: Hidden Worlds of Owls and Oceans

Taking place at the Orbost Arts Centre, this session delves into the remarkable lives of nocturnal birds, the unseen mysteries beneath coastal waters and more.

– December 6, Snowy West Landcare Sub-groups: Picnic in the Rainforest

Held at the Orbost Rainforest Centre, community members are invited to enjoy an informal picnic surrounded by lush rainforest.

Visitors can also take a walk through the gardens to appreciate the dedication of the small team of volunteers who maintain this beautiful space.

The region’s seven Landcare groups have now completed their AGMs and filled committee positions.

“Sometimes it can be a challenge filling committee roles, particularly in very small communities,” local Landcare facilitator, Josh Puglisi said.

“Groups are streamlining administrative tasks by combining meetings with other committees, such as hall committees, or running meetings alongside events that attract a broader range of people.”

Volunteers across Far East Landcare have delivered another energetic year, continuing work on dozens of properties to plant shelterbelts, fence wetlands, creeks and dams, and restore natural habitats.

Once considered niche activities, these practices are now widely recognised for their economic and aesthetic benefits.

Josh recently attended a presentation on volunteer motivation.

“People want to feel valued, welcomed, and that their contribution matters,” he said.

“With this in mind, we do our best to make sure everyone feels they have a place

in Landcare.”

A recent Topsoils event in Genoa brought together farmers from remote areas to share knowledge on improving agricultural productivity.

The day also provided a rare and valuable opportunity for social connection.

Josh said it has been particularly rewarding to work with smaller Landcare groups this year.

“Despite increasing administrative demands, these groups remain determined to keep achieving positive outcomes for their communities.”

Planning is already underway for next year’s program as Landcare celebrates 40 years.

Highlights will include an upgraded Landcare Expo featuring Pip Courtney from Landline, the unveiling of a new painted

mural transforming an ageing shed into a community landmark, and a Far East tour organised by Cann Valley Landcare to showcase remote and rarely seen locations across the region.Far East Victoria Landcare continues its partnership with Moogji Nursery and Moogji Crews to protect and enhance the unique natural environments of the region.For more information, visit fevl.org.au or drop into the Landcare office next door to the Orbost Post Office.

Far East Victoria Landcare has just completed another year of revegetation, this time across seven properties. 

Though the Victorian Government Landcare grants and administered by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, local networks of volunteers plants thousands of native indigenous plants and uses fencing to protect remnant vegetation.  

This year’s project delivered significant benefits to the Far East Gippsland community by enhancing local biodiversity, improving landscape resilience, and supporting sustainable land management.

Restoring native vegetation strengthens ecosystem services such as pollination, soil health, and water quality, which benefit both agriculture and the wider environment.

The project fosters collaboration between landholders, the local Moogji Nursery, and community groups, which is building local knowledge and conservation skills.

By protecting endangered species and restoring natural habitats, the project not only safeguards the region’s unique environment but also strengthens community pride, wellbeing, and connection to the land for future generations.

By improving the condition and resilience of natural environments, the project will help safeguard the region’s unique flora and fauna against the growing impacts of climate change and future disturbances, such as fire and flood.

Continued community engagement, training, and citizen science is building local capacity and long-term stewardship.

Expressions of interest in this year’s grants have seen a record number of application (18 properties) insure ongoing ecological recovery and resilience across the Far East Gippsland landscape.

We’re excited to invite you to a series of free, practical and insightful events featuring Joel Williams, a globally respected soil health educator and consultant, coming to Gippsland this September!

Joel brings hands-on experience from across Australia, the UK, Europe, and Canada, helping farmers boost productivity through soil biology, plant nutrition, and regenerative farming.

the Cabbage Tree Creek Landcare Group hosted local plant expert Phillip Vaughan for a fascinating and practical demonstration. Phill gave an engaging presentation showing how different plant species respond when exposed to an intense flame of nearly 1500 degrees

Cann Valley Landcare

On Saturday 9th August , nearly 30 volunteers from Cann Valley Landcare, Tamboon/Cann River, and Orbost came together to native plant species that are proven to be extremely fire-tolerant. Pigface, for example, holds both water and salt, helping to slow dangerous winds and capture burning embers before they reach structures. Lilly Pillies are another popular choice, as they help keep temperatures lower, retain moisture, and—when maintained—are very difficult to ignite.

Seven people attended a session on ‘Understanding Your Soil Test Results’ at the Bendoc Hall on the 3rd of July 2025.

The Topsoils program is now underway in East Gippsland, engaging local farmers and land managers in a wide range of soil science activities. Soil testing is being conducted across all major soil types in the region, backed by expert advice and in-depth analysis. The goal is to empower farmers with knowledge that supports more informed decisions, leading to improved profitability and long-term sustainability.

The Snowy West Landcare group recently invited students from St Joe’s Primary to check out the nesting boxes — and the kids were ecstatic!

11 people attended the tractor skills day. It was such a success that we are planning another one. Contact Emma Orgill if you want to join the waiting list.

10 people attended the rifle skills day at Buchan Rifle Range. We all left smiling

The high country women hosted the East Gippsland Women in Agriculture Network on the 31st of October 2023

Far East Victoria Landcare (FEVL) has received a grant to assist and revitalise Landcare Groups after difficult periods of drought, fires and COVID-19.