Rotary awards recognise Northern and Yorke staff

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Some of the most outstanding contributions made to South Australia’s national parks and reserves have been recognised at the 32nd annual Leadership in Conservation and Volunteers of the Parks Awards supported initially by the Rotary Club of Glen Osmond for 26 years, and following the club’s closure, by the Rotary Club of Burnside.

Some of the most outstanding contributions made to South Australia’s national parks and reserves have been recognised at the 32nd annual Leadership in Conservation and Volunteers of the Parks Awards supported initially by the Rotary Club of Glen Osmond for 26 years, and following the club’s closure, by the Rotary Club of Burnside.

The Leadership in Conservation Award, recognising the dedication of a DEWNR staff member, was presented to Deborah Furbank from the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources region.

Rotary Club of Burnside spokesperson Bob Cooper said Deb moved to the Southern Yorke Peninsula in 2004 and became an active volunteer of the Friends of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Parkgroup.

"Her work and commitment continued to expand and she communicated to the community and schools about the importance of protecting our natural resources.

"In 2010 Deb joined DEWNR as a Community Liaison Officer within the Yorke Peninsula District where she engaged and motivated community members and was instrumental in establishing three new Landcare groups.

In 2013 Deb was appointed Team Leader, Community, Yorke Peninsula, where she has continued to involve the community in natural resource management; has championed a Schools Education program; and has helped formulate a natural resources community action plan."

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Landscape Ranger Sarah Voumard was the finalist for the Leadership in Conservation Award.

District Manager Southern Flinders/Upper North Danny Doyle said that passion, motivation and good work ethic are strong characteristics which have shone through in Sarah’s work while working as a part of the Living Flinders Program.

"The community appreciate Sarah’s straight forward approach and the integral role that she plays in assiting them to manage Natural Resource issues on their properties.

"Sarah’s role as Ranger Community is at the front line of Natural Resource management and the task of understanding the issues and people involved and then using this knowledge to source solutions is a challenging one."

The Friends of Telowie Gorge has valued Sarah’s input in their recent works which include olive and bridal creeper control and the clean up of coastal areas, as well as helping them deal with the impacts which the 2014 Bangor Fire has had on the area.

DEWNR CE Sandy Pitcher paid tribute at the event to the dedication and commitment shown by volunteers and government workers, to conserve and protect some of South Australia’s most valuable landscapes, habitats and natural assets.

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