EcoCrews alongside key project host and partner, Eurobodalla Shire Council hosted their official launch event on 8 December 2021 at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens
A social enterprise of Campbell Page, funded by the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) fund, EcoCrews is an exciting new initiative that will provide paid jobs with accredited training in the environment sector, for locals living in the Eurobodalla.
Run as 6-monthly projects, crew members will get paid while working on a range of projects learning valuable environmental skills in land management and conservation. The Eurobodalla Shire Council project will include seed collection and planting native seedlings, repairing public spaces, clearing damaged landscapes, erosion control and prevention.
Campbell Page CEO, Natalie Turmine, said she was excited for the launch and the opportunities EcoCrews brings saying “This partnership is creating real prospects and sustainable jobs for locals. They’re getting fantastic hands-on experience and skills working on these council projects while getting paid”.
Eurobodalla Council’s coordinator of sustainability Heidi Thomson said the team could look forward to an exciting work schedule.
“They’ll get plenty of learning opportunities gaining valuable skills not found in textbooks or lecture halls, with great conservation outcomes for the shire,” Ms Thomson said
“Interestingly, several of Council’s natural resources staff started out in programs just like this many moons ago.”
Above: some of the members of the first round of EcoCrew with Campbell Page CEO, Natalie Turmine and Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips.
Attending the launch the Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said "I am absolutely thrilled to see the launch of EcoCrews Eurobodalla, which trains young people as part of bushfire recovery. It was terrific talking with the first EcoCrew members finding out their background and how they are excited to be learning new skills."
" EcoCrews is funded via federal and state funding under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, managed through Campbell Page and community partners Eurobodalla Shire Council, The SAGE Project Stepping Stone Farm and more. Well done to all involved. I can’t wait to hear your experiences and journey."
To find out more about EcoCrews, or to get involved, visit www.ecocrews.org.au or call the team on 1300 291 003.
