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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can nominate for the Bob Hawke Landcare Award?
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award is open to individuals, groups or organisations that can demonstrate a commitment to natural resource management and sustainable agriculture through being a landcare champion, a remarkable leader and a sustainable farm practice innovator.
To be eligible, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Individual nominee: Australian citizen actively engaged in landcare or sustainable agriculture.
- Group nominee: An Australian community-led group including landcare groups and landcare networks, farming system groups.
- Organisation nominee: Australian-owned, not-for-profit, non-government entity, demonstrating leadership in natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.
- Involvement: Actively participating in landcare activities or sustainable agriculture initiatives.
- Commitment: Demonstrated dedication to environmental stewardship and promoting sustainable practices.
- No self-nomination. Nominations can only be made by a third party.
- If selected for the short list by the Bob Hawke Landcare Award Advisory Panel, nominees will be contacted via phone and interviewed with the following questions:
o What are the key messages you would like to convey to media and promotional activity, including events and speeches?
o What issues concern you, that if selected as a winner, you would like to communicate.
o If selected as a winner, what will your priorities be?
Who can be considered for the award?
Each nomination will be judged against all of the following criteria:
Landcare Champion (write up to 300 words)
• Is actively involved in landcare
• Shows a remarkable commitment to caring for the land
• Has an outstanding commitment to local communities and drives community activity for the benefit of the environment and landcare.
Remarkable Leadership (write up to 300 words)
• Inspires, educates and encourages others to take action on their own properties or through their involvement in a landcare group
• Champions the uptake of more sustainable agricultural practices and can demonstrate the adoption of improved practices among landholders as a consequence of this action
Sustainable Farm Practice Innovator (write up to 300 words)
• Actively pursues, introduces and shapes innovative farming systems to improve sustainability, productivity, profitability, and the quality of our natural resources.
What is the prize?
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award recipient will be awarded a grant package to the value of $30,000 (ex GST) for further development of their knowledge and skills in sustainable land management to enable an even stronger contribution to landcare. The prize includes a travel package to attend the National Landcare Awards gala dinner for the award ceremony.
The award recipient will be required to submit a project proposal in 300 words or less outlining how they plan to spend the $30,000 (ex GST) grant money to champion landcare and share knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices with others including landholders, farmers and communities.
How do I nominate for the Bob Hawke Landcare Award?
Nominations are made via the Awards Force digital platform. Unfortunately, we can’t accept postal entries. Click to nominate.
When do nominations close?
Nominations will close on December 31, 2024.
How will award nominations be assessed?
All award nominations will be assessed by an independent Advisory Panel. Members of the Advisory Panel have been selected due to their experience in landcare, sustainable farming practices, natural resource management and First Nations perspectives.
When will I hear about my nomination?
People who submit a nomination will be contacted in 2025.
Where and when will the award be presented?
The 2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award will be presented at the 2025 National Landcare Awards gala dinner Tuesday 23 September, 2025.
How is the award funded?
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Landcare Australia Limited administers the Bob Hawke Landcare Award on behalf of the Australian Government.
What Happened to the McKell Medal?
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award supersedes the McKell Medal in line with the Australian Government’s renewed commitment and focus on landcare and sustainable agriculture under the Caring for our Country initiative.
The establishment of the Bob Hawke Landcare Award will see a stronger focus on individual leadership and contribution to Landcare and sustainable agriculture practices in Australia.
Past McKell Medal recipients will continue to be acknowledged for their enduring legacy and contribution to sustainable agriculture.
Why is the award named after former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke?
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award acknowledges the role that former Prime Minister, the Hon. Bob Hawke AC, played in elevating landcare from a grass-roots community initiative to a national movement with bi-partisan government support that endures today. For more information about the origins of Landcare please read this article on the Landcare Australia website.