Executive Officer's Report
January 2025Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) is celebrating its 21st birthday and continues to strive to realise funding that supports the needs of our members and supported groups with projects many of which are in collaboration with our ever-expanding partner network. Our November AGM resulted in a new Board member being Wendy McDonald joining our Board who has been a long-term loyal member and supported of WMLIG. Sadly, we also said goodbye to founding and lifetime member Neil Maddy. Along with the other lifetime and founding member, Rick Ellis have completed a combined 42+years service! Along with Neil, Katrina Myers, Laura Kaylock and Kate Redfearn also stepped down from the Board after considerable time serving on our Board. We appreciate their huge contribution to steering our group through some challenging but rewarding times.
We also welcome a new part time employee, Luke Ward who is working on our Resilient Pastures and Farm Water Management Program. Luke has Bachelor of Environmental Science qualifications and experience in environmental regeneration, stakeholder engagement, events management, fundraising, communications and customer service roles. |
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In 2025, WMLIG will focus on major strategic areas related to:
Looking forward, WMLIG is preparing to submit applications to the Sustainable Communities Program funded to support projects we have invested considerable time in developing like an agri-innovation precinct, biochar, biofertilisers and the Murray Region Food Producers Group. The Sustainable Communities Program is a result of 450GL water buybacks and will use state governments to funnel $160M to NSW Basin communities to kickstart or expand industries, community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services. We look forward to working further with the community on these and other initiatives.
Roger Knight | Executive Officer | Western Murray Land improvement Group
- Natural Capital Initiatives: The Landscape Impact Program and other environmental market initiatives bring knowledge and environmental market opportunities to local landholders, particularly valuable given the region’s rich biodiversity and potential as a wetland carbon sink. Along the journey, landholders have been exposed to new 2026 scope 3 emission implications, something we really need to focus on in the next three months. Our primary producers really need to be aware of how the new carbon accounting will impact their business in 12 months. WMLIG has positioned itself with skills and knowledge and is now one of the leaders in this space in the country. The Environmental Markets Manager, Jacquiline McArthur will be providing an update on the 13th February 2025 along with the Regen Farmers Mutual, an event not be missed. Further event details are enclosed in this newsletter.
- Industrial Hemp: WMLIG’s industrial hemp initiative, led by the newly created Murray Industrial Hemp (MIH), is an important milestone to provide an additional revenue stream for farmers, local investment opportunities and an avenue for community wealth-building with investment being realised. WMLIG has gained valuable knowledge for business and social enterprise development relating to placed-based capital raising / investment memorandums, legal frameworks etc. which has strengthened WMLIG’s operational acumen for future business endeavours. Note that there are only 38 investor spots left. Contact the Murray Industrial Hemp website https://www.murrayindustrialhemp.com.au/ for more information.
- Murray Connect: A new profit for purpose business is working to improve cross-border relationships and partner opportunities and a provide new economic development / tourism opportunities for our region and will support WMLIG functions via sub-contracting needs. Initially this will be focused on Koondrook and Barham and then expand across our geographic footprint within Murray River Council LGA and northern Victoria.
- Barham Agri-precinct: Value adding local produce, environmental services, storage & distribution and circular economy initiatives.
Looking forward, WMLIG is preparing to submit applications to the Sustainable Communities Program funded to support projects we have invested considerable time in developing like an agri-innovation precinct, biochar, biofertilisers and the Murray Region Food Producers Group. The Sustainable Communities Program is a result of 450GL water buybacks and will use state governments to funnel $160M to NSW Basin communities to kickstart or expand industries, community infrastructure projects, workforce development and community support services. We look forward to working further with the community on these and other initiatives.
Roger Knight | Executive Officer | Western Murray Land improvement Group
Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
11th February 2025We're shining the light on WMLIG's own women in science, Belinda (Forest Science) and Tahlia (Environmental Science).
Belinda has worked in pine plantations, been a forest firefighter, volunteered in Forestry overseas, worked in Sandalwood plantations and completed an honours project investigating the effect of fire retardant on ant populations. Since joining the Western Murray team at the end of 2023, Belinda has been working on our Forestry and Barham Lakes projects, with setting up a native fish nursery for endangered small-bodied fish a career highlight. Tahlia started her career in agriculture, working as an animal health and nutrition consultant, before moving to broad scale horticulture. Tahlia is completing her Bachelor in Environmental Science, specialising in Ecology and Conservation. Tahlia has worked across a variety of projects with Western Murray, and is one of our Local Landcare Coordinators. Tahlia is passionate about bringing community, food production and the environment together, and using scientific and cultural knowledge to manage our ecosystems. "I'm lucky to work with a number of incredible women in science. Every day I learn and am inspired by the knowledge, passion and capability of these women, who are dedicating their lives to improve our environment through scientific knowledge". This Day recognises the role and contributions of women in science, and encourages the next generation to consider an exciting and diverse career in STEM. |
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Annual Sheep Nights 2025
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March 2025The beginning of March saw WMLIG partner with Central Murray Best Wool Best Lamb in hosting The Annual Sheep Nights. The Annual Wakool Sheep night was held on 4th March, and The Annual Moulamein Sheep Night on 6th March.
Geoff Duddy from Sheep Solutions was the presenter at both events, and each night had a panel of local sheep producers who shared their knowledge and insight with the room. "Farming - the P's" was the topic covered, and attendees engaged in discussions around planning, production, prices and more. We had a great turn out of advisors and local producers, thanks to all who made it along. |
