As we head into NAIDOC Week (6–13 July), this story is a timely reminder of the strength, vision, and legacy that grows when we walk together on Country.
South Australian landcare legends Gerry Butler and Uncle John Chester spoke in an ABC radio interview today about their Landcare Listening Tour – an initiative focused on listening to and connecting with Indigenous communities on the Eyre Peninsula in SA. Through their listening tour, they aim to better understand the issues facing homelands, build on existing projects that are working and to strengthen partnerships in land management that will provide cultural, economic and environmental benefits for communities.
A strong focus of the tour is to partner with Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders to implement effective land management strategies and to further opportunities for Indigenous Landcare Facilitators enabling communities to thrive and be supported in caring for Country.
John Chester has been involved in landcare in South Australia since the formation of the Landcare Association of SA (LASA) in 1999 and is a longstanding advocate for Indigenous Australians and their right to care for Country. He also was involved in the early conception of the National Landcare Network (NLN). John provides valuable insights and experience to the direction of landcare through his roles as Board Director of the NLN and LASA.
Gerry Butler is also a strong advocate for First Nations initiatives acting as Chair of the Indigenous Engagement Working Group of Landcare SA and has been actively involved in landcare in South Australia since its inception in 1989. Gerry was also a foundation member of the NLN in 2009 and continues his involvement with NLN as the company Secretary.
In this interview, they explore recent conversations with local Indigenous organisations and communities, highlighting how collaborative approaches to land management are helping communities unite and heal Country — land that holds profound cultural significance. They also discuss the vital role of state-level advocacy in securing sustained support for Indigenous-led initiatives that deliver meaningful, community-driven outcomes.
This is a compelling example of how Landcarers and First Nations communities are working side by side to foster enduring partnerships and impactful change.
Hear their inspiring conversation with Emma Pedler on ABC Eyre Peninsula Breakfast Radio—scroll to 2:12 to catch the interview: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/eyre-breakfast