GILLIAN Hogendyk is passionate about the Macquarie Marshes and, with her husband Chris, is involved in the restoration of a block they purchased some years ago.
In part because of this work, Gillian has been selected as a finalist in this year’s NSW Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award. The two other NSW finalists are Janet Bailey from Bundarra and Kim Currie from Orange.
According to her local newspaper The Warren Advocate:
“The three women share a passion for sustaining and promoting rural NSW.
“Gillian, who lives near Warren on an irrigation and dryland farming property with her two sons and husband Chris, wants to involve more rural communities in wetland conservation.
“Described by Spotlight magazine as a ‘passionate environmentalist, conservationist, author and advocate of the cotton industry,’ Gillian donates her time to raising awareness of the Macquarie Marshes and how agriculture and nature can live together in a positive way.
“Gillian launched her book, The Macquarie Marshes: An Ecological History with the help of Don Burke from Burke’s Backyard in 2007.
“Gillian has also worked on a revegetation plan for Auscott, as a wildlife carer for WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service), as a community representative on the National Parks and Wildlife Community Advisory Committee and as Secretary-Director of the Australian Environment Foundation.
“The award is designed to provide women with support and resources to further develop their skills and abilities.
“This year’s award again offers a bursary of $10,000 for the winner and a place in the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ course for both the winner and the runner-up.
“The bursary can be used to increase personal leadership capacity and/or develop knowledge of innovations, industries and markets by participating in leadership or management training; undertaking an overseas tour; attending events or conferences; developing educational or promotional campaigns; or developing training, information, resources or programs.
“The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at Sydney’s Parliament House in March before going on to represent the state at the national award event in Canberra.”
Gillian is also a regular reader of this blog.
Best of luck Gill!
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The photograph shows Gillian at her home in Warren caring for an injured Collared Sparrowhawk.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
So, Jen, we can’t vote for Gillian, can we. All I can say is that I wish this gentle lady from the Macquarie Marshes the Best of Luck and, as a member, I hope we can share in her glory