GLENRAC Gains Glory as Great Community Group at Business NSW New England North West Awards
Business NSW Outstanding Community Group Award Winner: GLENRAC’s Chair Julie Firth & CEO Kylie Falconer
On Friday 20 September 2024, GLENRAC’s dedication to improving the community's wellbeing was acknowledged at the Business NSW New England North West Business Awards Gala Dinner in Gunnedah. The Business NSW Awards recognise the hard work, dedication and passion that finalists contribute to communities across the region.
GLENRAC was proud to be awarded the Outstanding Community Group Award for its efforts toward building sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and community capacity-building.
GLENRAC CEO, Kylie Falconer and Chairperson, Julie Firth were present on the night to receive the award from a representative of the Category Partner, Santos Ltd. “It was a shock to hear the announcement of our win” stated Ms Firth, “to be picked from such an amazing group of finalists is a real honour”. Ms Falconer thanked the sponsors and Business NSW and expressed gratitude to the members and other supporters who have trusted GLENRAC over many years in their efforts to improve the landscapes and communities of the area.
As a community-driven not-for-profit, operating for 35 years, GLENRAC is a cornerstone organisation in the Glen Innes region, nurturing a thriving community where environmental health and community well-being are inextricably linked.
During the 2023-2024 year alone, GLENRAC facilitated 72 events attended by 1,326 participants, including workshops, information sessions and awareness campaigns to bridge the gap between environmental and social science and practical action and equip community members with improved skills and knowledge.
Practical on-ground works to improve land and waterway condition and health over 51 properties, during the period included:
12,350 native seedlings hand-planted,
880.6 hectares of soil erosion stabilised,
232 hectares targeted for prickly pear weed control
72 soil samples collected from 35 farms, providing valuable land condition data,
40 hectares of groundcover revegetated,
12.13 hectares revegetated with local native species,
12.13 kilometres of fencing was erected for seedling protection, and
5 hectares of riparian area stabilised.
These improvements benefit the environment for our nation and translate into increased productivity and farm incomes for local families.
With over 1,800 members, GLENRAC engages widely with the community, including rural landholders, primary producers, peri-urban and town-based individuals, families and community groups via our vibrant print and digital media communications.
A digital audience of just under 3,000 social media followers and over 1,260 weekly e-newsletter recipients, stays regularly informed of activities and initiatives as well as events from other local community groups, rural industry bodies and government departments.
GLENRAC’s strategic direction and strong connection to their community is provided by a volunteer Committee of Management and a small paid staff team.
As for many rural communities, recent years have provided this region with substantial physical, social and psychological challenges including drought, bushfires, floods as well as financial pressures, impacting the ability to deliver programs and services.
As a result, GLENRAC intensified efforts to promote resilience-focused land management practices, collaborating with government and non-government agencies to provide support and resources for landholders and community members in post-disaster recovery initiatives.
Examples include Emergency Redi workshops, Mental Health First Aid training and the unique ‘Smoko with Friends’ event series, focussing on bringing people together for mental health benefits.
By building the capacity of community members to become leaders through various training and support programs, who then become conduits into their respective sections of the community, GLENRAC have constantly engaged a wide range of stakeholders. This has ensured that the organisation remains relevant, focusing on strategic partnerships, securing external funding and enabling genuine community engagement.
Ms Falconer stated: “We are proud of the collaborations we champion between landholders, government agencies, community groups and service providers, tackling environmental, economic and social challenges collectively, strengthening social bonds and empowering the community to achieve lasting change.”
GLENRAC now proudly joins finalists from regions throughout NSW, to represent the New England North West in the Outstanding Community Group Award Category at the Business NSW 2024 State Business Awards in Sydney. This Gala Awards Evening will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour on the evening of 30 October.
For more information contact Kylie Falconer, CEO GLENRAC 02 6732 3443 Kylie@glenrac.org.au
Photographer credit: TamComm Media