Celebrating Penny Milson – Highly Commended in the 2026/27 NSW Women in Landcare Awards

Tamworth Regional Landcare Association is delighted to celebrate local Landcare champion Penny Milson, who was recognised as Highly Commended in the 2026 NSW Women in Landcare Award at the NSW Landcare Conference in Corowa on 28 October.

With 16 nominations received in this award category, Penny's recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of her dedication, passion and contribution to environmental conservation and community action across our region.

Penny was presented with her certificate at the Awards Gala Dinner by none other than TRLA's own Nell Chaffey, the 2025 NSW Women in Landcare Award winner. It was a particularly special moment to see these two inspiring local women, both passionate advocates for the environment and their communities, together celebrating the work of women in Landcare.

To know Penny is to appreciate her determination, enthusiasm and genuine commitment to making a difference. With more than 10 years of involvement in environmental advocacy and community action, Penny has never been one to sit back and wait for someone else to make things happen. Whether raising awareness about climate change, advocating for better environmental outcomes or bringing people together around a shared cause, she has consistently found ways to turn her concerns into meaningful action.

Her journey has included organising community rallies and walks, bringing together around 200 people at Tamworth Town Hall in 2020, meeting with politicians across all levels of government, preparing submissions, engaging with the media and running workshops to help others have their voices heard. Through Tamworth Parents and Friends for Climate Action, Penny has played an important role in encouraging community members to become involved and take action on issues that matter.

In more recent years, Penny has channelled much of her energy into practical, local conservation, with her leadership of Currawong Park in East Tamworth becoming a wonderful example of what community passion and persistence can achieve.

What was once an underutilised council block is now developing into a valuable urban habitat and community learning space. Since 2021, more than 500 native plants have been established by volunteers, alongside habitat features such as a frog pond and bee hotels, providing valuable resources for local wildlife, including birds, frogs and pollinators. Penny has helped build a welcoming group of volunteers who regularly come together to care for and improve the park, creating a place where people can connect with nature, learn about biodiversity and contribute to conservation.

Penny's environmental interests extend well beyond Currawong Park. She has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the impacts of feral and roaming cats, bringing the issue to the attention of the community and local decision-makers.

More recently, as Committee member of Tamworth Birdwatchers Inc, she has helped bring together a range of organisations and community partners to launch the Tamworth LGA Feral Bird Control Program, working towards reducing the spread of invasive species such as Common 'Indian' Mynas and Starlings

What makes Penny's contribution particularly special is her ability to connect people with a cause and encourage them to become part of the solution. Her approach is inclusive, practical and collaborative. She is largely self-taught in many areas of environmental conservation, driven by her curiosity, her love of nature and a strong desire to protect the landscapes and wildlife around her. She is also generous with her knowledge, willing to learn from others and always looking for opportunities to make environmental action accessible to more people.

Penny's highly commended recognition is thoroughly deserved and reflects the many hours of voluntary work, advocacy, determination and community spirit she brings to Landcare and conservation.

Congratulations Penny! Your work is a wonderful reminder that meaningful environmental change doesn't always start with a big project or a large organisation. Sometimes it starts with one person who cares enough to get involved, bring others along and make a difference right where they live.

Tamworth Regional Landcare Association is very proud to celebrate you and the contribution you continue to make to our local environment and community.