Geoffrey McFarlane honoured with OAM for conservation work

ARMSTRONG Creek resident Geoffrey McFarlane has dedicated decades of his life to supporting local farmers and empowering rural communities, helping them have a voice in the environmental issues that impact them.

Today (Sunday, January 26), he has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for his service to conservation and the environment.

He said it was a privilege to receive the prestigious accolade, modestly repositioning his own efforts as being part of a bigger team.

“I’m very appreciative for being recognised for some of the work we all did,” he said.

“I worked with a lot of landholders and people in the country for years and highly respect what they were trying to do…I put them into the mix too, I think they’re part of the team.”

His voice breaking, he added: “I wish this could happen to so many other people working out there.”

A recognised landcare hero since the early 1990s, McFarlane has served in both government and volunteer positions, been a member of the Bellarine Landcare Group for more than 30 years and played a significant role in minimising the impact of invasive animals across the region as part of his work with the Victorian Rabbit Action Network.

A hallmark of his approach to conservation is his inclusion of the community, with much of his actions over the years focused on arming locals with the tools and information they need to tackle their specific concerns.

It was an approach he adopted early in his career.

“When I got into the role as a conservation officer [with Landcare Victoria] working with communities, I realised that instead of us running the show, they should be, and they needed the skills to do that,” he said.

McFarlane’s wife Lyn said Geoff had never been one to sing his own praises, but his love of the land and his passion for improving both conditions and profitability for local farmers had had a wide-ranging impact.

“He never takes the credit. He always credits other people and has never really acknowledged how much of a support and leader he has been in all the organisations that he’s worked with,” she said.

“When he first heard about [this award], he sat, and he cried that someone in the community had thought enough of his contribution to nominate him in the first place.”

Geelong’s Stephen Kip was also awarded an OAM today, in recognition of his service to the construction industry, which includes several leadership, board and advisory roles.

Meanwhile, Donald Harrison, who was awarded an OAM in 2020, is back on this year’s honours list, this time as a recipient of an Emergency Services Medal for his distinguished service as a member of the Australian Volunteer Coastguard Association.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at gg.gov.au