Narromine Grazier awarded the 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award

Narromine farmer and grazier Bruce Maynard has been announced as the 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award winner, at the National Landcare Awards dinner at Sydney’s Darling Harbour tonight.

The prestigious national award is presented every two years to an individual who has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to caring for the land, championing new and innovative practices and inspiring others.

Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the NSW farmer was a worthy winner of the $50,000 prize.

“Bruce exemplifies the valuable work being done by farmers who are taking environmental sustainability seriously and making innovative improvements,” Minister Watt said.

“For 35 years he has invented, implemented and extended regenerative agricultural systems on his family farm and across Australia. 

“Bruce invented the No Kill Cropping system, which allows farmers to change easily and quickly between grazing and cropping in the same paddock. 

“He has shown incredible leadership, whether it be planting native shrubs, trees and muti-purpose crops, utilising native grasses or managing grazing for livestock methane reduction.

“He has done this all while improving stock handling methods to reduce stress on the animals. 

“The 200,000-odd trees and 350,000 shrubs Bruce has planted on his own property have inspired visiting Landcare and community groups and stand as monuments to his unwavering commitment to sustainable land management.”

Minister Watt said the Bob Hawke Landcare Award was a fitting and enduring tribute to the former Prime Minister who championed Landcare from its inception. 

“Bob stands as a great protector of our natural environment and for all of us as custodians of Landcare, the great national movement forever connected with him,” Minister Watt said.

“His special talent was his ability to bring together governments, trade unions, businesses, and all parts of society. 

“And that spirit of consensus is more important than ever amid the challenges of climate change, natural disasters and the degradation of our natural environment.”

The Bob Hawke Landcare Award is funded by a grant provided to Landcare Australia under the Smart Farms: Building Landcare Community and Capacity program.