Greening Lake Macquarie is therapeutic work for hundreds of Landcare volunteers across the city, but for Rosalynd O'Shannassy it is even more than that: it's a driving force for healing.
The 73-year-old cheated death 10 years ago after suffering a brain aneurysm, enduring a long road to recovery where she had to learn to write, speak clearly and process day-to-day tasks again.
Ms O'Shannassy said her work over the past 12 months leading the Whitebridge Balireh Landcare group had played a key role in her ongoing rehabilitation.
"Working with Landcare has challenged me to go beyond what I've known before," she said.
"I'm always excited to get out the door and discover new things. There's also a planning element that really helps me: sequencing tasks, ticking off when I'm done, planning site visits, identifying native flora and fauna and invasive plants."
Ms O'Shannassy is among more than 40 individuals and Landcare groups recognised in this year's Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards.
Acting Landcare Coordinator Simon Lubinski said the awards celebrated the tireless efforts and achievements of volunteers across Lake Macquarie.
"The awards give us the opportunity to applaud the remarkable dedication of all our volunteers, whether they're newcomers to Landcare or have been with us for many years," he said.
A former nurse, Ms O'Shannassy said Landcare had given her something to focus on, look forward to and plan ahead for.
"It makes me feel validated," she said.
"I feel like I haven't been shoved into the shadows as an older person and I'm still valuable, even at my age."
Ms O'Shannassy's Whitebrige Balireh Landcare group was one of four across the city to take out a Newcomers Group Award, recognising significant progress over the past 12 months at new Landcare sites.
This year's John Hughson 'Soaring With the Eagles Award' – Landcare's highest honour – went to Carmel Brown of Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare.
"As Team Leader, Carmel has been involved in welcoming new Landcarers to the area, with her knowledge, drive and enthusiasm leading to new Landcare sites being established," Mr Lubinski said.
"Carmel is also a committee member of the Hunter Region Landcare organisation and a leader of the Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association. Her tireless efforts make her a worthy recipient of the John Hughson Flying with Eagles Award."
.Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards 2024
Newcomers Group Award
• Whitebridge Balireh Landcare
• Luprena Close Landcare
• Friends of Munibung Hill Landcare
• John Fisher Road Landcare
Long Standing Group Award
• Dora Creek Landcare
• Lake Petite Landcare
Silent Strength Award
• Helen Thompson - Nursery team
• Tom Parrish - Green Team
• Dean Robertson - Green Team
Landcare Achievers
• Lee Rogers of Dora Creek Landcare
• Robert Spargo of Kenibea Bushland Reserve Landcare
• Ruby Walker of Toronto Greenway Landcare
• David Pickard of Lake Petite Landcare
• Steve Robinson of Short Street Landcare
• Heather Carter of Lucilla Ridge Landcare
• Nichole Haigh of Coal Point Progress Association Landcare
• Helen Thompson of Dobell Drive, Toronto Greenway & Wangi Clifftop Landcare sites
• Karen Burge of Lake Petite Landcare
Local Legend Award
• Julia Stenton of Deaves Road and Dora Creek Landcare
• Isabel Garde of Kooroora Bay Landcare
• Hugh Robertson of Green Point Foreshore Reserve Landcare
• Jayne Gordon of Catherine Hill Bay Landcare
• Wendy Heys of Catherine Hill Bay Landcare
• Dennis Archibald of Stobbart Creek Landcare
• Vina Chubb of Biddabah Creek Landcare
• Pamela Sharp of Coal Point Progress Association Landcare
• Roslyn Cornish of Coal Point Progress Association Landcare
• Kathy Gall of Coal Point Progress Association Landcare
10 Years' Service Award
• Jenny McGrath of Afton Close Landcare
• Craig Whitford of Warners Bay Landcare
• Andrew Brock of Tathra Landcare
• Wendy Davidson of Coal Point Progress Association Landcare and Keith Barry Oval Landcare
• Clare Shiels of Dobell Drive Landcare
20 Years' Service Award
• Robert Gibson of Flaggy Creek Landcare
• Robert Montgomery of Myuna Bay Landcare
• Pam Montgomery of Myuna Bay Landcare
• Dennis Archibald of Stobbart Creek Landcare
• Robyn Sheldon of Stobbart Creek Landcare
• Stephen Sheldon of Stobbart Creek Landcare
Carl Fulton Memorial Community Education Award
• Jennifer Rosewood of Middle Point Road Landcare
• Sharyn Coleman of Wyee Point Reserve Landcare
John Hughson 'Soaring with the Eagles' Award
- Carmel Brown of Catherine Hill Bay Dunecare
