As the Regional Landcare Coordinator for the Central Tablelands, this year it was my role to I had the privilege of organise and lead our 2024 Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Network Muster—a pivotal gathering aimed at uniting our network, aligning our priorities, and planning for a resilient future.
The two-day workshop, held at Reflections Wyangala Waters - Holiday Park, brought together 18 dedicated members from the Central Tablelands Regional Landcare Network along with two staff members from Local Land Services. Facilitated by Kim Boswell from The Forever Agenda and Peter Pigott, State Community of Practice Manager with Landcare NSW, the event provided a structured yet flexible environment that allowed us to tackle complex issues and strategize for the year ahead.
Throughout the Muster, we focused on building coordinated support across the network, with an emphasis on preparing for upcoming funding opportunities. Our goal was to ensure the region is "project-ready," aligning our initiatives with funding requirements and positioning ourselves proactively. The group engaged in a series of collaborative decision-making exercises and team-building activities, which not only strengthened community bonds but also fostered trust, open communication, and a shared commitment to our region's priorities.
The workshop included practical sessions that allowed everyone to express their needs and aspirations freely, sparking genuine dialogue and innovative ideas. Together, we developed six regional initiatives for future funding and established a clear roadmap for roles and responsibilities between Regional and Local Coordinators. This structured planning, combined with adaptability to evolving conditions, was a key takeaway that will guide our future efforts.
Reflecting on the experience, I am incredibly proud of the collaborative spirit and dedication displayed by everyone involved. While there was a lot of work to do in the background, the fact that everyone said it ran so smoothly show me that being prepared and planned was the key to a good workshop. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of our work as we bring these plans to life.