HLN was announced the winner of the 2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award at the National Landcare Conference awards night on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 23 September!
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award is a prestigious national award that publicly recognizes an individual, group, or organisation involved in championing landcare and inspiring others to take action on their property or in their community.
The award recognises HLN’s work supporting over 500 members (across farming families, businesses and individuals) in innovative sustainable farming practices over almost four decades.
HLN Chair, Marcus Richardson, accepted the award on behalf of the network. He acknowledged the other award finalists, Garry Kadwell, a fourth-generation farmer committed to sustainable farming through innovative practices, and Stuart McAlpine, a pioneer in sustainable farming, transforming his family farm to enhance productivity, profitability, and natural capital.
During his acceptance speech Marcus stated that “Holbrook Landcare is more than just a network—it’s part of the social fabric of our region. For over three decades, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with our farmer members, who are the heart and soul of our organisation. Their innovation, resilience, and stewardship of the land are what drive our success. This award belongs to them.”
The award includes a $30,000 prize for HLN to further champion landcare and share knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices with others, including landholders, farmers and communities