PEOPLE
FARMERS, EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES MAKING A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
1 CHARLIE ARNOTT
Regenerative and biodynamic farmer and food producer Awarded the 2018 Bob Hawke Landcare Award for his long-term contribution to the Landcare movement, Charlie Arnott uses biodynamic, organic and holistic grazing principles to produce beef, pork and lamb at his property Hanaminno, near Boorowa in New South Wales. He also hosts Biodynamics workshops and shares his knowledge and aspirations for regenerative farming on social media and via Youtube. In conjunction with a local Landcare group and a Sydney-based Bushcare program, the Arnotts have established thousands of trees at Hanaminno to slow erosion and heal the landscape. charliearnott.com.au
2 THE ARCHIBALD AND THE BELL COUSINS
Ride for a Cure, Mongol Derby Four Australian polo players, Henry Bell and his cousins Jack, Rob and Ed Archibald took on the gruelling 1000 kilometre Mongol Derby across the Mongolian Steppe last year to raise awareness and funds for MS Research Australia. The cousins rode for Henry’s father, Goulburn farmer Rob Bell, who is living with multiple sclerosis, with a fundraising goal of $100,000. The trek — considered to be the world’s toughest horse race — follows the horse messenger system established by Genghis Khan, with horses changed every 40 kilometres. The quartet raised a total of over $195,000 for national fundraising campaign, Kiss Goodbye to MS. kissgoodbyetoms.org
3 CHARLES MASSY, OAM
Author, regenerative agriculturalist and scientist Charles Massy captured the nation’s conscience with his book Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth (University of Queensland Press), which explores the relationship between people and landscape and the way we farm and grow food. The book has helped encourage the shift from industrial farming to regenerative farming to improve soil health and ultimately, human health. Interwoven is Charles’ own connection with the land: a fifth-generation farmer from Cooma, he developed the Merino sheep stud Severn Park and his concerns around land degradation saw him return to university to gain a PHD in Human Ecology. His ongoing regeneration of his 1000-hectare property and respect for natural systems gives hope for the future of our ecology and wellbeing.
4 TICK AND KATE EVERETT
Dolly’s Dream After an extended period of bullying and cyberbullying, 14-year-old Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett from the Northern Territory took her own life, leaving behind her parents Tick and Kate, who are now focused on educating parents, schools and communities about the devastating effects of bullying. The initiative Dolly’s Dream advocates for stronger anti-bullying laws and educational programs in schools, and this year, Tick and Kate’s advocacy and bravery were recognised when they were named the 2019 Australian Local Heroes. dollysdream.org.au
5 TERRY MCCOSKER
Educator, facilitator, rural management consultant Since 1985, central Queensland-based Terry Mccosker has been helping farming families, Indigenous groups and corporate businesses improve their ecological and economic literacy through his business Resource Consulting Services (RCS). Considered one of the industry’s great innovators, he’s been at the forefront of rotational grazing systems and biological farming. With a focus on the entire ecosystem including soil health, biodiversity, water, energy and mineral cycles, along with strategic business analysis tools, Terry has contributed to the viability and sustainability of grazing and farming businesses in Australia and overseas. So far, more than 5500 people have attended the RCS Grazingforprofit school. rcsaustralia.com.au
6 TANYA DUPAGNE
Camp Kulin founder and manager Youth and community worker Tanya Dupagne has been recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence, and was this year awarded a social change fellow of the Westpac Scholars Trust. Her innovative program at Camp Kulin, 283 kilometres south east of Perth, includes general children’s camps and excursions as well as scholarship camps for children affected by trauma. She established Camp Kulin in 2013 with the aim of teaching children important life skills such as respect, leadership, trust, perseverance, anger management and emotional regulation. A fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Tanya has worked with at-risk, disadvantaged and traumatised children in Australia, Asia, America and South Africa. campkulin.com.au
7 TIANI COOK
Founder of Horses for Courses Tiani Cook from Suplejack Downs in the Northern Territory understands the challenges of educating a young family in the bush — her four children learnt through distance education from one of Australia’s most remote cattle stations. That’s why she founded the annual Horses for Courses charity ride, which raises awareness of bush-related issues such as education, mental health and access to telecommunications. Each year the ride supports a different charity, with last year’s six-day ride from Glen Helen Homestead to Alice Springs donating all profits to Dolly’s Dream. horsesforcourses.net.au
These Australian polo players and cousins took on the gruelling 1000 kilometre Mongol Derby last year to raise awareness for MS Research Australia.