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Vale Jennifer (Jenny) Waugh

Newham and District Landcare Group has lost one of its founding members, Jenny Waugh, who passed away on Monday 20 April. All of us at NDLG offer our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to her beloved partner Jim Sansom. 

Jenny was at the inaugural meeting of NDLG on 2 May 2004, when Jim was elected Chair. She was an active participant in the many projects and activities that followed. A respected biology teacher, as head of Science at PLC, and later a teacher at Braemar College, her knowledge of, and passion for, native plants, gardening and environmental issues is legendary. 

Jenny led Grade 5 and 6 students in the sampling and analysis of water from Deep Creek for the Waterwatch program at Newham Primary School – once a month for over 13 years. She was involved in other science-based activities at the School, and President of NDLG during 2012. 

Jenny was integral to the Newham community, for example as a core member of the Newham Garden Club, Newham Walking Group and the Store’s coffee gatherings.

Jenny and Jim

Jenny and Jim Garden Club sale 2016

The many heartfelt tributes to Jenny at https://tjscott.etributes.com.au/etributes/jennifer-waugh/  testify to the memories we have of her wonderful smile, infectious laugh, great intellect and active participation in all things Landcare. We will remember her whenever we come together in the future.

Summer Newsletter, March 2020

Our latest newsletter – Summer 2020, no 59 features a joint project with the Shire on monitoring roadside biodiversity, and the ongoing work of the roadside “Weedies”; Newham Primary School’s specialist garden program; Brigitte’s popular blog – this one on a real character of a wombat; climate futures, CleanUp Australia and Nick’s rainfall report.

It also exhorts us all to stay well during the coronavirus pandemic.

2020’s vision: Regenerative agriculture

After the devastating bushfires in Australia there is much debate about climate change and what the future holds. Relevant to Landcare folks is regenerative agriculture and this article in The Guardian I think is a good introduction (Helen Scott)

David Pocock’s 2020s vision: Heal the land, secure our future


“Regenerative agriculture can revolutionise the continent. That’s not a pie-in-the-sky utopia, but something we can all bring about”

Spring Newsletter (2/12/19)

Our latest newsletter – Spring 2019, no.58, features reports on our AGM and talk on living with wildlife, a fabulous field day at local property “Kolora”, Biolinks Alliance 2019  symposium, October’s hands-on session at Hanging Rock, Newham Primary School, motion-sensor camera use, growing Murnong Daisy, Pultanaeas (Bush Peas), Nick’s rainfall report, and other snippets.

2019 Christmas BBQ

Presenting the egg toss trophy

The forecast rain held off for another splendid gathering on Saturday 30 November – photos are up on the Gallery

Congratulations Newham Primary School

Newham Primary School won the Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award at the 2019 Victorian Landcare Awards ceremony at Government House in Melbourne on 31 August.

The school won the award due to the great results it has achieved with its environmental and sustainability programs. Integral to the success of these programs has been the support that the school has received for its Junior Landcare Program from its 13-year partnership with Newham and District Landcare Group, and its commitment to student-led projects such as the recent frog bog project, which sees southern brown tree frogs now call the frog bog home.

See more NPS activities on the Specialist Groups page

Winter Newsletter 2019 (30/8/19)

Our latest newsletter, Winter 2019, no. 57 features predation in an ecosystem, windbreaks to habitat – the story of the Roberts front paddock, wildflower walks, the environmental legacy of the Victorian goldrush, what to about European wasps, Brigitte’s wildlife blog, Newham Primary School’s garden sessions and more

AGM 16 August 2019

Our Landcare group has had a busy and productive year.  Come to a short AGM to elect a new committee – the President’s report and nomination forms have been sent to members, then hear our guest speaker Ian Temby talk about living with invasive vertebrates, followed by the usual splendid supper. Flier

Photo Gallery

Lots of photos have been added to the Gallery – with still more to come. You might spot yourself at one of our many Christmas or Winter parties, or planting events. There are pics of animals and birds. Do send Helen any photos you would like added.