The Yarram Yarram Landcare Network Board consists of volunteer YYLN members who manage and represent the needs of the Yarram districts Landcare Groups. They do this through active communication with the community, well researched strategic direction, and project management by a small, core group of dedicated staff. and volunteers. The constitution of the Board provides for nine Board members, including a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Your Board Members
Michael Hobson - Chair Michael's background as a professional fisherman has given hi a unique insight into sustainability issues. His varied entrepreneurial experience combined with his dedication to community mean that he will be invaluable in assisting our Network to continue to deliver vital on-ground work with new ideas for building our funding base. Michael has served on the Board for a number of years, including as Vice-Chair and Chair of the JARR Committee.
John Ballis - Vice-Chair John and his wife Linda moved to Stacey's Bridge fairly recently and have been integral in the establishment of the Yarram Community Energy Group. John has spent the last 8 years working in the renewable energy sector. Originally a chemical engineer, John brings to the Board a range of skills from his experience developing small and medium-sized business. He is also trained in alternative medicine.
Russell Botten - Treasurer Russell and his partner Samantha bought their property in Wonyip a number of years ago and ever since been planting trees on their land and the greater Wonyip District. Russell is an active member of the Wonyip Landcare Group having been a major contributor to establishing the Wonyip Conservation Trail, strengthening shelter-belts with native species and installing nest-boxes for a range of arboreal species. Russell is an electrical engineer and brings to the Board his significant experience in the IT sector.
Helen Spittle - Secretary A 40-year career in higher education has been fulfilling, but Helen's real passion is the property at Wonyip where she and her family continue to protect and enhance the native flora and fauna. An inaugural member of the Wonyip Landcare Group, Helen is keen to involve the next generation in Landcare and her husband Robert and adult children, Jack and Harriet, are active in the Landcare movement in Melbourne and Gippsland.
John McClumpha - General Member Raised on a dairy farm, John has always held rural areas close to his heart. After 42 years in Construction Engineering, he retired to a remnant bush block in Binginwarri and now adds his skills to the function of our Network. His basic philosophy - that we along with all other living things are equally part of nature - speaks to his approach to all things Landcare.
L-R Saul Stainer, John Ballis, Russell Botten, Julianne Peavey, Helen Spittle, Barbara Waterman, Michael Hobson (Absent; John McClumpha, Bronwyn Teesdale)
Julieanne Peavey - General Member Julianne and her partner Dan have a property in Woodside and are longstanding members of the Woodside Landcare Group. Julieanne has been a member of the Board for several years and is an important link to the Woodside Group which is one of the Network's first established Groups.
Bronwyn Teesdale - General Member Bronwyn is new to the YYLN Board having joined in October 2022. She brings a depth of experience in natural resource management having worked as an environmental consultant at Greening Australia. Bronwyn has a long history of involvement in the Landcare movement and has expertise in propagation from her experience in native nurseries.
Saul Stainer - General Member Saul is also new to the YYLN Board having joined in October 2022. Saul and his partner, Sandy, have a property in Port Albert and have been long-standing members of Landcare. Saul and Sandy participated in a Landcare mentoring project which paired farmers with mentors across the South Gippsland and Yarram Yarram Landcare Networks. Saul is a musician and works in education in Yarram.
"Do something now. If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?"