Terry Hubbard understands what Landcare means to so many across Australia and how individuals and communities have had their lives enriched by participating in Landcare’s many ways of “caring for the land” while at the same time finding Landcare enhances wellbeing for ourselves and each other.

Terry and his wife Janet were to experience the great benefits of Landcare when in 1989 they purchased a property in Flowerdale Victoria. 

When purchasing their property named ‘The Three Sisters’ the challenge they took on was that the land was a very much cleared, eroded and weed-infested property which was going to require both short-term and ongoing long-term restoration. 

Ever ready to seek the advice of neighbours, Government Departments and from others involved in Landcare which had been launched in Victoria in 1986, they set their sights and goals to turn around the property to become a model of best practice and sustainable farming.

Terry and Janet recognised the threat of land clearing, water pollution, weed and pest infestations and the need for landholders to work together if a district wide result was to be achieved. With other landholders in the area, the Strath Creek Landcare Group was to become the backbone of accelerated works on the ground and with the global warming on the horizon, the Group were quick to also address this critical issue when looking at tree species to plant for biodiversity values within their productive systems for the future.

Team Hubbard was to see Janet become Secretary for the Group and Terry as President for over twenty years. Janet was instrumental in growing the small group to a vibrant, active 66 families. Through her countless phone calls, regular newsletters, personal contact and energetic participation the group achieved great outcomes with numerous community planting days and a variety of interesting events.

Terry’s increasing Landcare interests within Victoria and Nationally, was to see him take on extensive leadership positions. His ethos of seeing Landcare built on three critical elements of  - recognising the threat of land clearing, pollution and global warming, the value of Landcare for social connectivity, and an understanding of the importance of community partnerships – was to fit perfectly for participation at a local, regional, state-wide and national level, and importantly he has a great ability to convey that Landcare is for everyone – we can all make a difference to ensure our natural resources are well cared for and maintained. It was this ability to deliver effectively across the various networks, that following the 2009 Black Saturday fires, the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network delivered an effective fire relief program, with having a keen understanding how important community bonds come to the fore at such times to ‘look out for each other’.

Amongst Terry’s many contributions as Chair, President or Committee Member, they include being on the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network for 12 years, Friends of Yea Wetlands, the Victorian Blackberry Action Taskforce, the Riparian Advisory Forum, the Landcare Community Reference Group, the Victorian Landcare Council, National Landcare Network, and other significant contributions. Terry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2016 for services to conservation and the environment and in 2017 was acknowledged with the Joan Kirner Award.