Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Mary MacKillop Today Highways and Byways Small Grants Program. These community groups across Australia have been awarded grants for their projects under the theme “Embracing and Valuing Diversity in Nature and Community”.
| Organisation Name | Location | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Ltd. | Myers Flat VIC (about 14 kilometres west of Bendigo) | Indigenous re-vegetation Re-vegetation of the Great Stupa inter-faith Peace Park which is barren land, with mostly indigenous bush tucker plants. This project brings together the local community through volunteering to create an environmentally & emotionally beneficial, aesthetically pleasing community garden that is accessible to all. Cultural exchanges of knowledge and land care is fostered through collaborating with the local Indigenous Dja Dja Wurrung people resulting in “revitalisation of the landscape, cultural & environmental awareness, community engagement, sustainability & biodiversity”. |
| Wild Weed Weavers | Denmark (Kwoorabup), Great Southern WA | Wild Weed Weavers Brings people together to care for Country by removing invasive weeds from Mount Hallowell Reserve (Kooryunderup) and transforming them into functional, handcrafted objects. The project seeks to blend conservation efforts with cultural and creative expression, while building a supportive community engaged in both environmental stewardship and traditional craft. |
| Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council Inc. | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Area (Braidwood, Bungendore, Araluen, Tarago, Mongarlowe etc.) NSW | Supporting New Growers for the Southern Tablelands Tree Start Growers Network This project aims to grow the next generation of trees and shrubs for the southern tablelands region of NSW. The funding will support an additional 20 growers/community volunteers to join a collaborative initiative undertaken by Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council and Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare to learn to propagate and grow native tubestock from home. All tubestock grown feeds back into local revegetation projects and re-establishes habitat lost in recent extreme climate events. At a personal level, it is giving the community something positive and manageable they can do from their home back yard. |
| Wynyard Landcare Group Inc. | Frenchs Road Nature Reserve, Somerset TAS | Validating Biodiversity Efforts to retain one of the last significant woodlands in the area by purchasing an audio recorder to monitor the call of birds and potentially bats, that use this site, to build a case to preserve their habitat. The land is under threat through encroaching urbanisation, and it has been observed that endemic & migratory birds and Tasmanian Devils, Spotted Quolls, platypus and other pademelons & macropods live in this woodland. Use of an audio device would strengthen the case for environmental protection of their native habitat. |
| Hovells Creek Landcare Group Inc. | Reids Flat NSW | Sharing Indigenous land management knowledge practices with farming women A one-day workshop facilitated by a First Nations woman who will share her Aboriginal knowledge and connection to country as an initial approach to introducing Indigenous cultural practices to a more conventional farming community. This will be a free event for women only, encouraging farming women who may not be able to afford a workshop, to attend. The hope is to start a conversation within the district about some alternatives to traditional land management practices as well as opening a dialogue between the Landcare group and Indigenous women that could potentially create multiple opportunities for economic, environmental and cultural outcomes. |
| Wattle Hill Landcare Group | Wattle Hill TAS | Blueprints for a Better Future: A Wetland for Biodiversity and Resilience Restoration of a significantly degraded wetlands particularly in the riverine areas. The project aims to enhance water filtration, biodiversity, and habitat connectivity by re-establishing native vegetation and improving hydrological function and carbon sequestration. This initiative will support threatened species, reduce erosion, and create a resilient ecosystem that benefits both wildlife and the local community. Aspects of conservation, environmental restoration, and social connection. |
| Cambrai Primary School & Preschool | Cambrai SA | National Landcare Conference – Meldanda showcase A dynamic partnership between the small, local school (30 children) and community land care group to protect their environment that is being affected by neighbouring farming practices and climate change. By attending the conference, the children hope to promote environmental opportunities and the work being done along the Marne Valley to preserve its water assets and protect a dying river system. It also allows the children access to experiences outside their community which is rare due to socio-economic & geographic challenges – “we do amazing learning with our kids and take their learning beyond the four walls of a classroom”. |
| Capricorn Conservation Council Youth Sub Committee | Rockhampton QLD | CCC Youth Cultural Immersion and Acknowledgement Project This project will engage the Capricorn Conservation Council Youth Subcommittee and broader youth community in an immersive cultural learning experience led by an indigenous elder & a First Nations artist. It aims to create lasting cultural, social, and environmental change by empowering young people to become leaders in reconciliation and sustainability. |
| (it’s no) drama LTD | Leongatha, Foster, Toora (South Gippsland) VIC | On Display The development and presentation of a public performance in regional Victoria for people with disabilities. The project will create a welcoming space for diverse and marginalised people to come together in a safe and supportive environment where participants can engage in creative activities and work toward a public performance as part of Social Inclusion Week 2025. Platform for empowerment through expressing their talents & being recognised, social inclusiveness by building connections & raising awareness, skills development leading to new learning & career prospects. |
| Hay Trees on Plains Landcare Group Inc. | Hay NSW | Landcare Champion Podcast Extension of podcast – “a series where listeners can learn from the experiences of local Landcare Champions regarding all environmental issues”. Team up with local High School to concurrently teach the students how to produce a podcast and learn researching, technical & communication skills. This project is in response to a direct request by the students following two introductory podcasting workshops, to progress to producing the podcast series themselves. |
| Kulungah Myah Community Centre | Melville & Kardinya WA | Corroboree for Life Dance Workshop The project consists of a 6-week dance program with Aboriginal students from Melville Senior HS facilitated by a dance studio run by members of the local Noongar community. The purpose is to nurture the students’ connection to their culture and community through traditional dance & storytelling, to build students’ skills & confidence, and to create a sense of belonging for the students within their community. Provides opportunities for intercultural activities involving both indigenous and non-indigenous students at the school. |
| Gilgandra Film Festival | Gilgandra NSW | Gilgandra Film Festival The Gilgandra Film Festival is initiated and staged by local volunteers and features both short documentary films made by local school children as well as those made by award winning national & international film makers. Held annually over two nights in the first week of May. Provides an important occasion for cross-cultural knowledge exchange and social connection in the community between indigenous & non-indigenous peoples, with the sharing of stories and culture/connection to country. |
| Ngaarr Thawun Rural Ag and Environmental Sustainability Corporation | Narrabri shire NSW | Building Resilient Landscapes: Year-Round Dung Beetle Integration for Soil Health and Natural Flood Mitigation The project aims to address gaps in the local eco system functions through natural, sustainable methods by introducing winter-active dung beetle colonies into the soil. The deep-tunnelling of the bison dung beetle will naturally improve soil health, enhance water absorption, and thereby reduce flood impact in a region vulnerable to both drought & floods. Additionally, this activity would help increase agricultural productivity through improving year-round nutrient cycling. |
| Avon Valley Environmental Society inc. | Northam WA | Raised boardwalk over wetlands – Northam WA The aim of the project is to construct a raised boardwalk over part of the Doorntj Korlinny (Walking Together) Track that crosses over a seasonal wetland while allowing sufficient free flow of water as well as ventilation to ensure the continued health and ecology of the wetlands. The wetlands are important to the community in several ways – it is a freshwater wetland which is rare in the ‘wheat-belt’, it is adjacent to a registered Aboriginal site and the boardwalk is regularly used by the residents of the Aboriginal Reserve. There is close cooperation between indigenous and non-indigenous community members in the use of these local resources to preserve the environmental, historical and cultural aspects of the land. |
| Kuranda Neighbourhood Centre | Kuranda, far North QLD | Gardens for Communities Project Project driven by need for better access to the community garden site which slopes steeply and must be terraced if locals are to use it effectively and sustainably. Organisation would facilitate workshops for sustainable growing, harvesting, food preparation and financial literacy that can support the community to make better life style choices. |
| Gunning District Landcare Incorporated | Upper Lachlan Shire (Gunning and Dalton, with participants from the surrounding rural area) NSW | Landcare Seminar Series Free series of four lectures covering erosion, invasive species, revegetation, and riparian zone management all of which are intensifying due to climate change and adversely affect the local community. By creating a welcoming space to learn directly from experts, it aims to foster more collaborative approaches to shared problems, stronger peer networks, and a growing culture of stewardship across the region. |
| Bass Coast Landcare Network | Bass VIC | Community training in Propagation of food and indigenous plants at the River Garden Establish a training Nursery at their 1ha River Garden site, which will teach community volunteers of all ages to safely learn how to propagate and grow food and native plants, including vegetables and indigenous plants. Produce is donated to local food relief pantry programs at community centres, and indigenous plants will help increase the biodiversity and health of the local environments. |
| Gippsland Threatened Species Action Group | Tarwin River Forest, Turtons Creek VIC | Protecting the Gang-gang Cockatoo: A Community Strengthening Approach to Conservation An educational & interactive event bringing together the community to learn about, discuss & engage in the protection of the endangered Gang-gang cockatoo. A shared purpose will be used to foster intergenerational connections & build collaborative support to protect threatened species and ensure ongoing conservation of wildlife in the face of increasing habitat loss & natural disasters. |
| Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association | Dawson Catchment QLD | Soil to Success: Maximising Land Productivity An innovative field day that will provide a platform for local graziers to share knowledge, experiences, and insights on sustainable grazing practices that protect and enhance the health of our land and precious reef ecosystems – Optimising productivity while maintaining soil health and ensuring long-term sustainability. Held in the Dawson Catchment ensuring all sessions are tailored to the needs and interests of local graziers in the area. |
| Dr Stephanie Dale (Foundation Broken Hill) | Online – supporting women in far west NSW | Women’s Enterprise Circle: An Online Boutique Business Development Program A structured online program supporting geographically isolated women in the Far West of NSW to identify & develop existing skill sets leading to better employment/business opportunities, stronger social networks & income generating projects. Includes both indigenous and non-indigenous women. Peer engagement, entrepreneurship, shared learning & empowerment. |
| Springfield Lakes Nature Care INC | Opossum Creek Bushcare site Brookwater QLD | From Bush Care to Bush Tucker Creating a Bush Tucker & Medicine Garden to educate & raise awareness of traditional owners’ use of native plants for food & medicinal purposes. Through the establishing of the garden indigenous ways of caring and connecting to land will be recognised and learnt helping community members of all ages to access cultural knowledge, strengthen social interactions, and restore/preserve eco systems & native flora and fauna. |
| Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association Ltd | Brisbane QLD | APNA Festival of Nursing Send two remote area nurses from QLD to APNA’s Festival of Nursing in Brisbane in July 2025. Through participation in education sessions and workshops, networking with peers from all over the world, developing new skills and knowledge to be applied in their work, it would encourage them to remain in their community and inspire them to be willing to take on student nurses in APNA’s student placement programs so that it might support their town’s investment in talent for the future. |
| Katanning Land Conservation District Committee (Katanning Landcare) | Katanning WA | Gear for the Greening Improve the environment through the provision of two new “Landcare Event” roadside signs directing volunteers, farmers & community members to often out-of-the-way sites and bolstering their supply of 15-year-old tree planting buckets so volunteers can comfortably and safely complete planting native seedlings. The kidney buckets are ergonomically shaped plastic buckets which strap to a tree planter’s hip, with comfortable adjustable straps which go around the waist and over the shoulder. The purchase of these items it is hoped, will help improve Katanning Landcare’s ability to safely and effectively deliver their important environmental work in the future. |
| Bush Baby Wildlife Rescue Inc. | Moura QLD | Native Canopy for Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Establishing a native flowering tree canopy & planting native grasses at a wildlife rehabilitation centre to create a safe environment for injured animals to recover, provide shade & nesting sites for birds, and offer covering for small mammals & insects, enhancing local biodiversity. Native plants also attract vital pollinators helping to develop this ecosystem. The rehabilitation centre ensures that animals are not only healed but also ready for a successful return to their natural habitat. In addition, it is hoped to see increased volunteer numbers at the centre, keeping the community active.There will be local indigenous input through the involvement of the Gungalu and Wulli Wulli people sharing their skills and knowledge in habitat regeneration and sustainable land care practices. |
| Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc. (LUCI) | 7 Mile Lagoon, Lockyer Valley QLD | Koala Climate Corridors: Bunyas to Border schools The project engages local student volunteers in a native tree planting initiative to contribute to a landscape-scale habitat corridor between the Bunya Mountains and Main Range National Park. It aims to support several threatened wildlife species by enhancing habitat connectivity and resilience against climate change. Indigenous knowledge & the cultural significance of looking after the land will be shared by a local First Nations mentor together with an interactive wildlife demonstration. |
| Uniting Queenscliff (Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale Congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia) | Queenscliff VIC | Community reconciliation gathering space The purpose is to use a centrally located site to build a safe inclusive space that invites greater public usage & enjoyment, re-introducing plants native to Bellarine. There will be seeds & cuttings sourced locally and propagated at the nursery in Queenscliff by volunteers, to enhance environmental biodiversity. |
| Neighbourhood Collective Australia | Bendigo VIC | Acknowledging Country Together This project will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, including those from multicultural backgrounds, in a series of four art and regenerative gardening workshops, culminating in a celebration day, including a welcome to country ceremony and art exhibition. Through this interaction it is hoped to increase cross-cultural connections & understanding, reduce social isolation for women, increase biodiversity & local food production at the Old Church on the Hill, showcase native plants, and increase local residents’ interest in planting more natives. |
| Brukunga Community Association Inc. | Brukunga SA | Brukunga Fire-Resilient Garden for Community Safety and Wellbeing Establish a garden at the town’s entrance located in the local Fire Station grounds, featuring fire-resistant native plants, educational signage & rustic metal sculptures to improve safety, teach environmental sustainability and be aesthetically pleasing to both visitors and the local residents. Cudlee Creek was adversely impacted by the 2019 bushfires. The project is a direct response to this addressing climate change through resilience, education & community involvement. |
| Warevilla Incorporated | Ceduna SA | Community Cultural Safety & Landscape Enhancement Program Purchase of tools and equipment needed to repair and maintain property in a small Aboriginal family-based community in Ceduna SA. The goal is to provide skills training to community members, so they are self-sufficient in maintaining/preserving their homes & properties while ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. |
