Wheatbelt Heroes Boase and Clarke Honoured in WA Landcare Hall of Fame
Two dedicated members of Wheatbelt NRM, Rob Boase and Wayne Clarke, were inducted into the WA Landcarers Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on 1 November 2024 at the Cockburn Wetlands Centre. The event was part of the Western Australian Landcare Networks' annual gathering, which celebrated the successes of the Landcare community under the theme “Sharing our Landcare Stories.”
The gathering featured an inspiring program of Landcare case studies and success stories, illustrating the powerful impact of community-led environmental action. Keynote speaker Dr. Gretchen Miller highlighted three key elements of a good conservation story:
Attunement – the ability to connect deeply with the land and people.
Humility – putting the landscape first in all efforts.
Courage – encouraging others to take action, even in the face of challenges.
These themes resonated throughout the day, with presentations that showcased the power of hope and positivity in community-led environmental efforts, particularly from local school students involved in riverbank rehabilitation projects.
Rob Boase: A Lifelong Commitment to Wheatbelt Conservation
Rob Boase, a farmer turned nursery co-owner, has dedicated his life to restoring and protecting the unique landscapes of the West Australian Wheatbelt. Together with his wife Beth, Rob purchased their property south of Dowerin in 1973. Recognising the environmental challenges of salinity and land degradation, Rob immediately began revegetating parts of their land and protecting areas with high conservation value.
In 1996, the Boase’s founded Arinya Plants, a nursery dedicated to propagating Wheatbelt-specific plants, including species tolerant of salinity. The nursery played a critical role in supporting local revegetation projects.
Rob has worked closely with Wheatbelt NRM and the National Trust to place a conservation covenant on 215 hectares of natural vegetation on their property, ensuring its protection for future generations. His work spans several decades, and he has held key roles in local Landcare groups, including the Toodyay Naturalists’ Club, the Central Wheatbelt Threatened Flora Recovery Team, and as a long-time volunteer with DBCA (formerly CALM) and Wheatbelt NRM.
Wayne Clarke: Champion of Community Action and River Restoration
Wayne Clarke’s contributions to environmental conservation have spanned decades, and his work has left an indelible mark on the Wheatbelt region. His early inspiration came from his mentor, the late John Landy, who sparked Wayne’s lifelong passion for conservation.
In 1989, Wayne and his wife Desrae purchased bushland in Toodyay, where Wayne became an active member of the Toodyay Naturalists’ Club. Over the years, Wayne held various executive positions within the club and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 2009, later becoming Co-Patron in 2023.
Wayne is perhaps best known for founding the Toodyay Friends of the River (TFOR) in 1994, an organisation dedicated to addressing the environmental degradation of the Avon River. Under his leadership, TFOR became an integral force for local river restoration and conservation.
Wayne has also been deeply involved with the Avon Catchment Council and the Toodyay Land Conservation District Committee, where he played a vital role in securing funding and advocating for sustainable land management practices. His leadership has left a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship in the region.
A Celebration of Landcare Successes
The 2024 WA Landcarers Hall of Fame ceremony also recognised the outstanding achievements of other individuals committed to conservation. This year’s inductees included:
Les Schultz
Barbara Morrell
Dr. Denis Saunders AM
Mike Norman
Rosanna Hindmarsh
Mary Gray OAM
Bronte Rundle
Harry Whittington OAM (Posthumous)
Claudia Hadlow
Keith Bradby OAM
Both Rob Boase and Wayne Clarke were recognised for their lifelong commitment to the Wheatbelt environment, with Boase celebrated for his efforts in revegetating land and protecting 215 hectares of high conservation value land, and Clarke honoured for his long-standing leadership in the Toodyay community, particularly with the founding of TFOR.
Support from Political Leaders
The ceremony was also attended by several prominent political figures, including David Scaife MLA, Peter Rundle MLA, and Shane Love MLA, Leader of the Opposition. Minister Love, who has long supported Landcare initiatives, spoke passionately about the importance of community involvement in conservation, noting the significant benefits to citizen well-being and fostering connections to the natural world.
An Inspiring Day of Landcare Stories
The Landcare gathering was not only a celebration of these outstanding individuals but also a day to reflect on the collective power of community-led conservation. The event highlighted the many ways in which everyday people are coming together to make a positive impact on their local landscapes, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations.
Published eNews #396, November 2024