Andrew Southwell from Glenflesk, Rye Park received an Australia Day Landcare Award for ‘Ongoing environmental works and outstanding representation of Landcare in the community.’
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Four generations of Southwells have lived at the historical family farm Eden Brae, Rye Park grazing sheep and Andrew’s father grew and planted native trees on this property in the 1970’s.
Andrew, his wife Michelle, and their family have significantly extended the tree lanes, beginning in the early 1980’s, on the family properties for productivity and biodiversity outcomes.
The trees they have planted help to combat dryland salinity, ensure that livestock are well sheltered and also provide habitat for woodland birds.
Andrew’s key message to local graziers is to “have the right species of pasture and use grazing management and sub-division to improve production and environmental outcomes”.
Andrew Southwell was an active member of Rye Park Landcare since 1989 and President for a number of years.
When the Boorowa groups amalgamated, he continued as a committee member of the Boorowa Community Landcare group (BCLG) for many years.
Andrew Southwell was elected to the Boorowa Council in 2013 and proudly worked with BCLG helping ensure that Red Hill Reserve in Boorowa was gazetted as an Environmental Reserve to protect its unique biodiversity from future residential development.
Another key highlight of Andrew’s Council responsibilities includes helping establish the waste recycle centre at Rugby.
During his time of representing Landcare in the community, Andrew has worked on a number of Landcare projects a major one being Boorowa River Recovery.
Andrew was considered a pioneer of dryland salinity and pasture management.
He was sought out by Animal Production on Saline Land (APSL), a national salinity research program, and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
He worked in an advisory role during the late 1990’s with a range of research scientists from CSIRO, DPI and Land and Water Australia to address dryland salinity, pasture and water management on the Land, Water & Wool program.
Andrew & Michelle have hosted many, meetings, workshops and bird walks at their property and have been involved with a long term Superb Parrot monitoring programme with Greening Australia.
Andrew is generous with his time, supporting Landcare in the community and helping others to implement Landcare activities.
Congratulations Andrew Southwell, we thank you and acknowledge your initiative to work for the environmental benefit of the community.
