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Wangaratta Citizens of the Year
Congratulations to Helen and Peter Curtis of Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group, who have been jointly awarded the Wangaratta Citizen of the Year for their work at Kaluna Park and other reserves, as well as promoting recycling, water quality and addressing urban salinity.
Helen and Peter Curtis have been the driving force behind the "Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group":/groups/ovens_king/wangaratta-urban and the achievements of the group in rehabilitating Kaluna Park.
From the "Rural City of Wangaratta website":
As the driving forces in Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group, Helen and Peter have worked to restore Kaluna Park from a jungle of invasive plants into an oasis of natural bushland only minutes walk from the centre of Wangaratta which is enjoyed by many visitors.
Kaluna Park has been recognised as a National Demonstration site for wetland conservation.
Peter and Helen organise and attend working bees at Kaluna Park weekly. In addition to much hard physical work, Peter and Helen document the working bees and have kept detailed records on the environment at Kaluna Park.
Peter and Helen have also been active in tree planting along the One Mile Creek. The work undertaken along the One Mile Creek and Kaluna Park has been recognised by the statewide Keep Australia Beautiful Rural City Pride Awards. Peter and Helen have also been active in promoting recycling and monitoring water quality.
Although both Helen and Peter describe themselves as amateurs, they are recognised for their extensive knowledge of native plants. Peter has completed a doctorate on the grass tree, completing ten years of research. He is perhaps the most knowledgeable person in Victoria on this unique Australian plant. Helen has extensive knowledge of botany. She is regularly sought out to provide expert information on local plant species and she regularly takes students on tours of Kaluna Park. Helen's work on plant species on the Wangaratta Common has been recognised by the State Government and both she and Peter are active in promoting the preservation of this area for future generations.
Both Helen and Peter are active in the Warby Range Protection Society and have worked with the State Government to develop walking tracks and an arboretum.
Peter and Helen have also been active in the North East Field Naturalists Club, the Wangaratta High School Council, The Centre, Red Cross, the Society for Growing Australian Plants, Friends of Mount Buffalo, Rural Friends of the Bush and the Victorian National Parks Association.
The following is from the article in the 26th Jan. Border Mail.
"It seems a bit silly to get an award for things you like doing" Peter said. "But it was a very pleasant surprise and we see it as recognition of all the work the Landcare people have done because Helen and I could not have done it ourselves."
"And it is good to see environmental work getting recognition as being valuable to the community."
Once again, congratulations to Helen and Peter Curtis for their efforts, and good to see the deserved recognition.
