Queensland’s Reef champions have been recognised at a glittering awards ceremony held in Cairns last week.

The Reef Champion Awards shine a light on farming, extension, Traditional Owners and community leaders who are working to reduce their impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

Innovative nitrogen reduction practices, dedicated approaches to extension, revegetation of farms and conservation of wetlands and native animal species were just some of the success stories honoured at the event, an initiative of Queensland Farmers Federation.

“The outstanding achievements of farmers, extension officers, Traditional Owners, and community members nominated for these awards is a testament to agriculture’s commitment and achievements in improving water quality through practice change and innovation in Reef catchment areas,” QFF CEO Ms Jo Sheppard said.

Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek joined Ms Sheppard in congratulating participants and thanking them for the role they play in protecting the Reef.

“Water quality is critical in protecting the Reef, and the awards showcase some inspiring people contributing new ideas and making a real difference,” Minister Plibersek said.

Queensland’s Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlan said the awards showcase the achievements of Queenslanders who are setting the benchmark for agricultural innovation to reduce run-off and deliver practical Reef projects.

“The work being undertaken by the farmers, advisers, Traditional Owners, and community groups shows what can be achieved if we work together. Through these efforts and collaboration, we can transform the outlook for the Reef and ensure it can be protected now and into the future.”

NRM Regions Queensland sponsored one of the ten categories awarded on the night.

CEO Chris Norman presented the Reef Community Champion Award to CQ Seagrass Regeneration Collective based in Rockhampton who were recognised for collaboration to restore and reinstate seagrass meadows.

Chris said the category was focussed on recognising the exemplary effort of communities to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Great Barrier Reef is iconic the world over,” Chris said, “and it must be protected. We know that the best way to achieve this is by working together, so it is an honour to sponsor this award and to recognise the achievements of those who are striving to ensure the Reef is here for many generations to come.”

“Having the Australian and Queensland Governments support these awards and the many on-ground projects taking place to protect and improve the Great Barrier Reef is testament to those collaborative efforts,” Chris said.

About the CQ Seagrass Regeneration Collective Project

The Seagrass Restoration Project is coordinated by Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. Partnering with CQUniversity Australia’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), Woppaburra TUMRA, Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre and members of the central Queensland community.

Accomplishments to date include:

• Clean-up events that have collectively removed over 1 tonne (1,153 kg) of rubbish from local rivers (addressing water quality flowing to the Reef)
• Establishing the first island-based seagrass nursery and research facility in Queensland (at KIEEC)
• Seagrass seed collection events resulting in over 415,000 seeds obtained ready for propagation
• Release of 25,000 seagrass plants in 10 dispersal events

These results (and the project) have been made possible by the involvement and passion of the involved volunteers. Notably, members from the Keppel Bay and Gladstone Sports Fishing Clubs have invested significant time and resources into caring for the natural assets they enjoy most.  Impressively 252 volunteers have donated 2,004 hours of their time (equivalent to over 250 working days) to the project to date.

Read more about the CQ Seagrass Regeneration Collective here.

Reef Champion Award winners for 2022

Prince’s Trust Australia Environmental Leadership – Reef Sustainability Award

Tony Rossi, Aloomba, for using his scientific skills on the farm; Tony was always interested in soil health, soil testing, developing precision agricultural techniques & regional environmental issues, & has become an advocate for demonstrating on-farm sustainable environmental practices to other farmers and industry.

Reef Nutrient Stewardship Champion Award

Denis Pozzebon, Mt Kelly, for being a true champion and pioneer in precision nutrient management in the lower Burdekin. Denis was one of the first cane farmers who had his farm’s electromagnetic induction (EM) mapped into zones for nutritional programs. He continues to utilise these maps for targeted soil testing, nutrient planning and variable rate amelioration.

Reef Sediment Stewardship Champion Award

Fran and Damon Lyons, Charters Towers, for taking over management of Basalt River Station in 2017; they took steps to improve land condition and resilience while increasing groundcover and available pasture. Modelling suggests that these management changes have saved around 1,950t of fine sediment annually.

Reef Conservation Champion Award

Jason Bradford, Alligator Creek, for the installation of 8 off-stream watering points (OSWP) and approximately 6km of fence lines has played a pivotal role in reef conservation efforts on Jason Bradford’s property, improving the management practices of around 90ha of Sandringham wetlands

Pacific Biotechnologies (Australia) Pty Ltd, for developing a new standard of wastewater management and sustainable onshore aquaculture, removing large masses of effluent from the ecosystem before entering the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef Extension Officer Champion Award

Rebecca McHardie, Mossman, for being a respected extension agronomist in the Mossman cane growing region. Having worked in the industry for seven years, she has been instrumental in designing and delivering grant programs and extension support to growers to improve productivity and reef water quality outcomes.

Reef Pesticide Stewardship Champion Award

Matt and Ben Abbott, Mena Creek, for going one step further in pesticide management, using no synthetic chemicals and maintaining an organic certification covering their papaya and banana produce.

Reef Traditional Owner Group Champion Award

Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation, Through the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Program, all rangers employed are traditionally connected to Yirrganydji and take on the role for caring for country and improving water quality through clean ups on beaches and urban waterways, detection of biosecurity threats, compliance, blue carbon research, and mangrove and coral restoration activities.

Reef Community Champion Award

CQ Seagrass Regeneration Collective, Rockhampton, for working together to restore or reinstate seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows across the globe are becoming more fragmented or disappearing completely. To address this issue, Fitzroy Basin Association, CQUniversity Australia’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre (KIEEC), First Nations Group Woppaburra TUMRA and members of the community are working together to restore or reinstate seagrass meadows.

Reef Traditional Owner Youth Champion Award

Ashlyn Skeene, As a Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger, Ash has contributed to scientific research on blue carbon and co-benefits (including water quality), contributed to seagrass, bird, and fish surveys, and led large groups of community volunteers on remote beach clean-ups, taking direct action on plastics before they are washed out to sea.

Reef Youth Champion Award

Ema Parker, Port Douglas, Ema, an NQ-based year 7 student, has been involved in a number of activities that relate to Marine Conservation and raising public awareness, including bake sale fundraisers, beach clean-up activities and reef sustainability education efforts.