meet the Barung team

barung landcare management committee

There are currently vacancies on the Managment Committee and we would love to hear from you if you believe you have skills to offer and are keen to make a difference. If you are interested, or would like to learn more about the commitment involved please email president@barunglandcare.org.au

Barbara Kelly

President

Barbara first became concerned about the environmental impact of land clearing in the 70s when she majored in Geography at UQ and lived on a farm at Nanango. Barbara went on to spend 30 years with Education Queensland as a secondary school Deputy Principal and teacher prior to planting a small olive grove with her husband Glynn and running a successful tourist and accommodation business in the Scenic Rim until 2020.

During extended drought periods they realised how difficult native revegetation of some areas has become as they struggled to get the native species they planted to thrive. Barbara moved back to the Sunshine Coast with her husband and settled in Maleny in 2020.

Barbara has joined the Barung committee as she wishes to become more actively involved in promoting the work of Barung Landcare in whatever way she can, drawing on her management and business experience. She is passionate about revegetation and, as well as volunteering at the Porters Lane nursery one day a week, is currently working to revegetate her family’s 64 hectare vine scrub forest property at Nanango.

Christy Samorowski

Treasurer

Christy Samorowski is an accomplished environmental professional with a distinguished background in Environmental Science and a rich conservation history spanning over two decades. She possesses a distinctive combination of strategic vision, hands-on experience, and an unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. 

Currently serving as the Senior Policy Officer for the State of the Environment Report with the Department of Environment, Science & Innovation, Christy has held pivotal positions with various government entities and environmental organisations. Her extensive experience includes contributions to the State Government’s Nature Refuges and Koala units, as well as roles with Moreton Bay and Brisbane City Council’s Environmental Planning and Policy. Beyond public service, Christy has successfully navigated the realms of environmental consultancy and entrepreneurial ventures, notably as the owner and Business Manager of an outdoor education company.

In addition to her professional endeavours, Christy is the proud owner of a 60-acre property in Woodford and a 140-acre property in Kenilworth. Demonstrating her commitment to conservation, both properties hold Voluntary Conservation Agreements arranged by Christy and her husband. These agreements cover 50% of the land and safeguard diverse ecosystems, including Eucalypt open forest and koala habitat in Woodford, and Notophyll vine forest and Richmond Birdwing Butterfly habitat in Kenilworth. Over the past two decades, Christy and her husband have implemented ecological restoration techniques, fostering natural regeneration and rehabilitation across these landscapes.

Joan Dillon

Committee Member

Joan is very concerned about habitat loss and the fragmentation of our natural bushland to the detriment of our native flora and dependent wildlife. With a degree in Agricultural Science, her varied career commenced as a mycologist in the NSW Dept.of Agriculture, specialising in diseases of ornamental plants. After some time in Canada, Joan  and husband John moved to Darwin and began teaching in the School of Horticulture at Charles Darwin University and co-presented a local ABC Television Gardening Program.

Following retirement Joan and John moved onto their 4.4 ha of steep country in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, embarked on a major revegetation programme and joined Land for Wildlife. Most of the property is now under a voluntary conservation agreement (VCA) with the Sunshine Coast Council. 

Joan is a member of Native Plants Queensland, past president of Barung Landcare and former board member of Greening Australia Queensland. She briefly chaired the Environmental Weeds Management Group (SEQ), and served as a member of the Natural Heritage Trust sub-Regional Assessment panel for the Burnett/Mary. Later, she represented Barung on the steering committee for the ACIAR funded Farmcare project which introduced the landcare model to Mindanao in the Philippines. 

 On a personal level Joan wrote the native plants section for a national gardening magazine for about 10 years and recently in collaboration with Mapleton resident Nita Lester published Range and Hinterland Gardening, a comprehensive book covering ornamental (exotic) as well as Australian and specifically local native plants.

Peter Johnson

Committee Member

Peter’s background is in physics and electronics, working in Antarctica for several years as a scientist, electronics technician, and weather observer while also working on his Phd.

His Phd work studied methods of determining soil moisture levels for agriculture. Prior to this he gained an honours degree in atomic physics and working in an atomic physics laboratory.

His interests have been in software/electronics/hardware systems for machine control.

 In 1986 Peter and his partner Rosie purchased a 40 hectare steep block in the Peachester area comprising rainforest and open Eucalypt forest which had been selectively logged. They eventually moved onto the block in 2012. Over a period of time several small cleared areas have been revegetated and some areas of Groundsel and Lantana removed. 

 Peter now brings his interest for the environment to the Barung Landcare committee.

Steve Husband

Committee Member

Steve is recently retired and lives at Flaxton. He was most recently senior scientist at Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium with Healthy Land & Water and brings a Master of Natural Resource Studies to the mix. Prior to that Steve worked for Noosa Landcare, HQPlantations & DPI Forestry. He is a member of the Australian Native Plants Society and Forestry Australia. His interests include fire management, indigenous land management & threatened plant species.

Frances Harper

Committee Member

Frances Harper has a background in accountancy and software systems and a wealth of experience and contribution to the Maleny Community including roles as treasurer. Frances has a strong commitment to the environment as is evidenced by her ongoing activity with many local environment organisations and has been a strong supporter of Barung for many years, including volunteering maintenance of the Maleny Garden.

barung landcare staff

Cameron Burton

Landcare and Partnerships Manager

cam@barunglandcare.org.au

Charlotte Pond

Accounts Officer

 charlotte@barunglandcare.org.au

Amber Rivalland

Administration Coordinator

amber@barunglandcare.org.au

Wayne Webb

Production Nursery Manager

wayne@barunglandcare.org.au

Maia Stegman

Nursery Assistant

maia@barunglandcare.org.au

Trevour Pitt

Nursery Projects Officer

trevour@barunglandcare.org.au

Renee Ulbrich

SQW Coordinator

renee@barunglandcare.org.au

 

Vacant

Natural Area Services Manager

 

Katrina Atkinson

NAS Business Admin Manager

katrina@barunglandcare.org.au

Angus Frazer

Project Officer

angus@barunglandcare.org.au

Sarah Dixon

Project Officer

sarah@barunglandcare.org.au

OUR QUALIFICATIONS

Barung Landcare staff have various qualifications, licences and inductions which include the following:

Bachelors degrees –

  • Science
  • Land Management
  • Coastal Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Applied Science
  • Arts

Certifications including –

  • Chainsaw Level 1 & 2
  • Construction card (White card)
  • Commercial operator’s licence for using herbicides (ACDC)

Certificate in Conservation and Land Management –

      1, 2, 3 and 4

Certificate in Horticulture –

      2, 3 and 4

Graduate Certificate –

  • Environmental Management
  • Sustainability

Diplomas –

  • Conservation and Land Management
  • Business
  • Applied Science
  • Project Management

Fauna Spotter / Catcher certificate

HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation

HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support

HLTAID011 Provide first aid

HLTFA311A Apply first aid

Safety and site induction certificates from –

  • Sunshine Coast Council
  • Moreton Bay Regional Council
  • Noosa Council
  • Unity Water
  • SEQ Water

Barung Landcare holds a number of current licences, certifications and policies including:

Ground Distribution Contractor Licence (ACDC) no.GDC343

ISO certifications  –

  • ISO 9001: 2015 quality management systems
  • ISO 14001:2015 ENvironmental management systems
  • AS/NZS 4801:2001 occupational health and safety management systems

Up to date insurances including – 

  • Public Liability 
  • Association Liability
  • Work Cover
  • Personal Accident
  • Landcare Activities