A farming couple from Western Australia have taken out one of the top gongs at this year's national Landcare awards, held at a gala dinner in Canberra last night.
Robert and Caroline Rex won the Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer award from a large field of State finalists - one of 11 major awards recognising excellence in environmental conservation and regeneration.
Mr and Mrs Rex were thrilled with their success at the awards, but paid tribute to the thousands of Landcare volunteers across the country doing equally important work, Mr Rex said.
Mr Rex said of his visits to other farms recently and speaking with other primary producers at the awards, the common theme among them and the conservation work they are doing was soil health.
"We see everywhere so many people doing good, wonderful things," Mr Rex said when accepting the award last night.
"We've got to encourage those people to become part of Landcare. It's good stuff."
Jeff Campbell, a farmer from Mitchell, in south west Queensland, took out the individual Landcare award, much to the delight of a large band of supporters in the crowd.
Mr Mitchell said the most important thing about Landcare was its ability to engage landholders and connect communities.
Wyong Creek Public School took out the coveted People's Choice award, narrowly winning the award by two votes.
* More details and photos from the night will be published in next week's Rural Press rural weeklies.
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