The Landcare Association of SA (LASA) are looking for new Management Committee members to join us on our mission to build environmental knowledge and grassroots action to improve the diversity, productivity and resilience of South Australian landscapes for current and future generations.

At the heart of any successful not-for-profit organisation lies a dedicated and passionate leadership team. At LASA, we take great pride in our committee members, a group of individuals whose commitment and diverse expertise drive the Landcare movement forward.

Our committee members each bring a unique set of skills that complement and enhance our collective efforts. We are looking to welcome new representatives from diverse backgrounds, including people from the grassroots Landcare, agricultural and Indigenous communities, and people with skills and experience in governance, finance, marketing, communications and/or insurance.

We invite you to read on below to learn about some of our wonderful committee members, why they joined the committee, what they’ve enjoyed and what they’ve learnt.

If you would like more information about joining our Management Committee, please email Eleanor Pratt (Executive Officer) at execofficer@landcaresa.asn.au or call 0477 017 325.

Shaun Branden – Aboriginal Lands Trust representative

What have you gained from being on the committee?
I have enjoyed meeting and working with interesting and passionate people to help guide LASA direction with our own individual experience and knowledge. Committee members work in different fields with varieties of life skills but we all have the success of LASA and benefits for members in mind. I enjoy meeting members and Communities and finding ways to support as many folk as possible with the resources, time, logistics and funding available.

Why did you join? What inspired you to join the committee?
I work for the Aboriginal Lands Trust of SA (ALT) and was fortunate that they sent me to the Sydney Landcare forum last year. I was fascinated by the different ways Landcare supported people, land and Communities around Australia and looked at ways I could help. I then joined a LASA meeting as a representative of the Aboriginal Lands Trust and a liaison with Aboriginal Communities and then quickly built a relationship with other Committee members and was invited to participate. My working life has been a little eclectic with careers in IT (programming, system administration, networks, data, geospatial analyst), fire fighting, National Parks, farm/ business management, public service, arboriculture and horticulture. This rather mixed and confused history has left me with some skills useful for this Committee and I feel I can provide some unique insight on certain topics.

What have you learnt?
I am very progressive, living a life skewed towards supporting nature, culture, art and people. I am learning that there can be other sustainable use of land that still protects the environment. I am still learning the multitude of ways LASA can support land and people.

What have you enjoyed?
Meeting people, visiting places, working through bottle necks and road blocks. I am deeply connected to, and involved with, South Australia’s Indigenous Communities, so I am thrilled that LASA has a sub-committee to work closer with First Nations people. I am constantly traveling around SA for work and I bump into other Committee Members and LASA members all the time- great people, great cause.

What has been your biggest or most proud achievement?
Working with the LASA Committee, ALT, Nipapanha and others on the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area 25-year celebrations. This event was a real success and a wonderful endorsement of LASA.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining the committee?
Don’t be shy. Everyone has skills and experience they can bring to supporting LASA and LASA isn’t one dimensional.

Sarah Barrett – LASA Chairperson

What have you gained from being on the committee?
Being part of the committee is like being on a team.  We all have different strengths and perspectives that we bring. We can’t do everything on our own, we need each other and this only makes us stronger as a whole.

Why did you join? What inspired you to join the committee?
I saw a Facebook post from someone who I greatly admired. I saw the work that she was doing in Landcare, the connection with people and environment. Her personal endorsement inspired me to join her on the LASA committee and the rest is history!

What have you learnt?
I think I have learnt to be brave. There have been times when I didn’t have all the answers – far from it.  However, Landcare world is full of “givers”.  I have never had so many genuine and supportive mentors.

What have you enjoyed?
Connecting with and learning from people all over the state and Country who are doing amazing things for our environment and the communities who care for it.

What has been your biggest or most proud achievement?
Building the membership and following of Landcare in South Australia.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining the committee?
To begin, begin.

Lara Tilbrook – LASA Committee Member

What have you gained from being on the committee?
Being on the committee has been a wonderful opportunity to engage with like minded Grassroots Community to gather and talk about how we can best Care for Country.  

Why did you join? What inspired you to join the committee?
I joined the Landcare Association of South Australia, to elevate positive change for Communities and Country.  I am extremely concerned about the health of our local environment.  After experiencing the destruction of the wildfires, hazard reduction and back burning, of my home on Karta Pintingga (Kangaroo Island), I decided to step up to strategically support genuine and sustainable ways forward to adapt to climate change.  

What have you learnt?
I have been extremely grateful for the opportunity to listen and learn from Traditional Owners, Elders and Aboriginal Community.  I have learnt, that if we can listen and be guided by Indigenous Knowledge Systems, we have all the solutions to make significant change, the challenge is navigating colonial systems which requires patience and time.

What have you enjoyed?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by John Chester and Gerry Butter. Both gentlemen have been extremely generous with their time to explain the historical journey of Landcare Association of South Australia and the National Landcare Network (NLN).  I have also enjoyed the opportunity to listen and learn, strengthen relationships, grow new friendships and create new connections.

What has been your biggest or most proud achievement?
There has been a few!  Being welcomed into the Community of Nipapanha to help support the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of Nantawarrina, the first Indigenous Protected Area in Australia was an honour as was representing LASA and the NLN at Biri Bulmba Budang National Custodians of Country Gathering 2023 in Gimuy (Cairns). 

What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining the committee?
I believe we all have a responsibility to Care for Country.  Joining the committee allows different people to work together and be a part of LASA Grassroots Community, working to heal landscapes for future generations.