Elizabeth Rosser, whose work has helped breathe new life into Landcare around Guyra, has been named the 2026 recipient of the John Winter-Irving Bequest.
Southern New England Landcare presented the award to recognise her commitment to sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and community leadership. It was announced at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Uralla on Wednesday, 11 November.
“Elizabeth’s contributions to Landcare and the broader community are extensive and significant,” said Southern New England Landcare CEO Karen Zirkler.
“She exemplifies the values of Landcare and continues to grow as a leader in the field.”
As a Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare, Rosser has organised a range of projects and training events in the Guyra district. They include a four-day training event with Graham Sait from Nutritech Solutions.
Her work has helped reinvigorate the Guyra Landcare Network, formerly the Malpas Catchment Group.
Over the past two years, she has helped the Uralla Rivercare group deliver numerous events across the region. She has also run capacity-building events for farmers with the Mulloon Institute and helped deliver a series of cybersecurity workshops across the region.
She also spent 12 months representing staff on Southern New England Landcare’s Risk Management Committee.
Her commitment extends well beyond Landcare.
“Outside Landcare, Elizabeth works for equity of access to education for all students living in rural and remote Australia by representing isolated students through her role on the NSW State Council of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association NSW,” Zirkler said.
Ona Winter-Irving, wife of the late John Winter-Irving, offered her warmest congratulations. She said Rosser was exactly the type of person the family hoped the award would support.
“We’re delighted to recognise and encourage Elizabeth’s passion and involvement in sustainable agriculture,” Winter-Irving said.
“Johnno would be delighted to hear of her involvement with natural resource management and her work with and support for Landcare and her generous commitment to community as well.”
The family hopes the bequest can help Rosser further her passion and commitment to community and sustainable agriculture, even in a small way.
Winter-Irving also thanked the Southern New England Landcare board for its ongoing work supporting the bequest.
Rosser said she was thankful for the honour.
“I am truly grateful for the recognition,” Rosser said.
For Winter-Irving, it was a sign of good things to come on the land.
“It’s also lovely to hear that she is young and so passionate about the land and with another generation coming on,” she said.
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