The Uralla Rivercare Group and Southern New England Landcare are teaming up to host renowned horticulturist and sustainability expert Jerry Coleby-Williams in the New England region this November, helping locals make every drop of water count in their gardens.
Best known as a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, Jerry will deliver his talk, Whole of Site Water Saving – Making Every Drop Count, across a series of workshops in Walcha, Uralla, Armidale, and Guyra.
“We’ve all experienced drought and the water quality challenges that follow,” said Sheenah Turnbull from the Uralla Rivercare Group.
“Most people want to make the most of every drop of rainwater they can capture, and Jerry is the expert on rainwater catchment systems and urban biodiversity,” she said.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience designing and managing sustainable gardens, Jerry will demonstrate how a Whole of Site Water Management Plan can help households and small landholders capture, recycle, and reuse water efficiently. His own Brisbane property is a model of water-smart design – every drop is harvested, treated, and reused to grow more than two hundred kinds of productive plants.
While the New England region has enjoyed relatively wet seasons in recent years, water remains our most precious resource. Even in times of plenty, careful management and efficient use are vital to ensure resilience during the next dry period. Learning to conserve and reuse water at home helps protect both the environment and community water supplies.
The presentation will explore key strategies including rainwater harvesting and storage, recycling and reusing wastewater on-site, land drainage and stormwater infiltration systems, building compost-rich soils that absorb and retain moisture, and designing permeable surfaces and sustainable lawns.
“When the Uralla Rivercare group approached me with the idea to bring Jerry to the New England, I was really excited by the prospect,” said Elizabeth Rosser from Southern New England Landcare.
“Jerry’s knowledge and enthusiasm for practical sustainability make him an engaging and inspiring speaker, and his approach shows that with the right design, any garden – from backyard plots to small farms – can use water more efficiently,” she said.
“This is a great opportunity for all of us to benefit from his knowledge and experience,” said Sheenah.
Workshops will be held at:
- Monday 24 November – Banded Bee Farm
- Tuesday 25 November – Armidale Tree Group’s Woodland Centre
- Wednesday 26 November – Uralla Library
- Thursday 27 November – Black Mountain Nursery & Guyra Neighbourhood Centre
- Friday 28 November – Walcha Community Neighbourhood Centre
- Saturday 29 November (evening) – Alternate Root, Uralla
- Saturday 29 November (morning) – Uralla Rivercare Group community session (open to the public)
Each session will explore practical ways to save and reuse water in home gardens and small properties.
The events have been made possible through funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and ACEN Australia.
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