2025 AGM and End of Year Celebration
Surrounded by members, stakeholders and the community, the Leschenault Catchment Council presented our 2024-25 Annual Report on Wednesday 10th December at our AGM and End of Year Celebration at The Old Lyric in Bunbury.
LCC’s Chair Anne-Marie Offer presented the report in which she said, “In 2026, LCC celebrates 25 continuous years as a local not-for-profit organisation; restoring landscape and connecting community. This is a remarkable milestone, and it is timely to reflect on the many minds, hearts and hands from within our catchment and beyond that have played a role. They each stepped forward to understand and respond to environmental matters, assist in overcoming funding and business challenges and helped to deliver impactful projects. There are many past and present contributors to be remembered and celebrated.”
The report is now available to download here, where you can read about our accomplishments and impact over the last year.
Following the AGM and necessary formalities, LCC where joined by Dr Tegan Douglas, manager for Black-Cockatoos from Birdlife Australia, and Dean Arthurell from Carnaby’s Crusaders. These professionals joined us to discuss the plight of the three black cockatoo species that call the South West home, and share knowledge on conservation projects happening locally to protect these iconic birds.
Over the last six weeks, the LCC has been fundraising to seed our new Project Cockatoo and we are very excited to announce that we raised our goal of $9k! Winners were drawn, with assistance from Dean and his friend Conan. Congratulations:
1st Prize to Kirsten Borgas, received the beautiful Simon Hemsley painting
2nd Prize to Anne-Marie Offer, receiving lunch for two at Hackersley Estate
3rd Prize Carolyn Jones, received $100 gift voucher for the Leschenault Community Nursery
Huge thank you to our community for all your support - we couldn’t do any of it without you!
To finish the event, we held an awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise a couple of deserving environmental stewards in the Leschenault Catchment.
The awards were focused on community action and dedication and our four categories celebrated individuals that exemplify community stewardship. The Leschenault Catchment Council Staff and Board nominated individuals for each award.
In the category for Estuary Carer, we recognised Jane Putland and Mike Pekin, a couple who together have devoted countless hours to on-ground restoration, citizen science programs and assisting community events, helping to improve the health and resilience of the estuary and surrounding catchment. Their willingness to lend a hand wherever needed has made them invaluable members of the LCC community, and their enthusiasm, reliability and deep care for the natural environment inspire others to get involved.
In the category of Outstanding Volunteer, we recognise Anna Underwood, who is a passionate and tireless volunteer with the Friends of Clifton Park, where she has been the driving force behind local conservation and community efforts. Her hands-on commitment to restoring native bushland, assisting with community planting days, leading clean-up activities, engaging local residents, and bringing people together with her positive energy, practical approach and passion for improving local habitats has made a lasting difference to the Clifton Park area.
In the category of Catchment Steward, we recognised Bev Guidici and her son Brendon, who are exemplary landholders who have been active participants in the Healthy Estuaries WA program for several years. Their long-standing involvement reflects their commitment to sustainable farming and the health of the wider catchment. Through their proactive engagement, Bev and Brendon have consistently sought new and better ways to manage their rural property, and their willingness to trial innovative approaches and share their experiences has made them valued contributors to the catchment community.
And finally we recognised our Life Membership Award. Adrian Azzari-Colley has been a central leader of the Leschenault Catchment Council for nearly a decade, guiding the organisation through major transformation as Chair and later Deputy Chair. His pragmatic leadership, commitment to resilient communities, and role in developing key partnerships—including the culturally grounded Danju – Jobs Together Program—have left a lasting legacy. With more than 40 years’ experience in natural resource management and Indigenous capacity building, Adrian’s wisdom and dedication have profoundly shaped LCC and strengthened its impact across the region.
Congratulations to our 2025 Environmental Stewards, and thank you for your tireless efforts and continued support.
