Mary-Lou Gittins OAM is a Queensland-based educator whose robust background in farming and community leadership has shaped agricultural and natural resource management across the region for decades. Since 1980, she has served as a teacher, first in the Catholic system now with the Queensland Department of Education, leveraging her practical expertise to inspire future generations.
Due to Shane’s (husband) interest in landcare and becoming the inaugural secretary to the Brisbane Valley -Kilcoy Landcare committee, the Gittins’ family became involved in 1990. Mary-Lou has held numerous roles: as Water Watch Coordinator for the Brisbane Valley Landcare Group (1994–1999), she championed water quality testing, community outreach, and youth education. Mary-Lou has held key volunteer leadership positions at local and regional level, including Secretary and Treasurer of the Brisbane Valley - Kilcoy Landcare Group, Chair and Founding Member of the Upper Brisbane River Network Group. State representation included South East Queensland representative on the Landcare and Catchment Management Advisory Council which led to Chairing the steering committee that formed Queensland Water and Land Carers, helping to establish vital representation for NRM community organisations. She has devoted nine years to Queensland Water and Land Carers, as Secretary and then Chair. This role included representation on the National Landcare Network Board.
Her influence extends nationally, having served as Director for Landcare Australia Limited (2001–2005), Australia Landcare Council (2008) and currently Australian Citizen Science Association Secretary. Regionally Condamine Alliance Board (2005–2009, 2015–2019), as well as Chair of the Condamine Catchment Management Association (2003–2009). Her dedication continues as Secretary of the Condamine Catchment Management Association.
Rooted in a strong farming heritage, Mary-Lou supported Shane (her husband) with their 4 children in a successful family dairy operation—including the conversion of a cropping farm to a 500-cow feedlot dairy and scaling production to 9,200 litres per cow per year. During this time Mary-Lou worked with the Dairy Industry in the NRM area. Today, they have an irrigation farm in Goomburra, cultivating corn, soya beans, and barley for grain, hay, and silage.
Mary-Lou has been acknowledged many times for her contributions including in 2003, the Individual Landcarer Award in Queensland and in 2019, Mary-Lou was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to conservation and the environment.
This blend of hands-on farming knowledge and strategic leadership has made her a key figure in Queensland’s Landcare, environment and agricultural sectors.