A few weeks after taking ownership of their sprawling 70-acre property at Purga on the outskirts of Ipswich, the Einam family was exploring their new home when they spotted a koala staring down at them from high up in a tree.

They nicknamed him Albert, and the discovery of their furry neighbour inspired the Einams to completely rethink what they wanted to achieve with their rural property.

Since December 2016, the Einams have spent nearly every free moment transforming the neglected cattle property into an ideal natural habitat for native flora and fauna.

A few weeks after taking ownership of their 70-acre property at Purga on the outskirts of Ipswich, the Einam family was exploring the new home when they spotted a koala staring down at them from high up in a tree. 

Though their project is still in its infancy, the Einams have already planted 500 native trees, worked hard to manage invasive weeds and pests, achieved improvements in soil health, and developed off-stream watering points and a mini-wetland ecosystem.

Most importantly, however, and in tribute to Albert, restoring the local koala populations has been a key focus for the Einams.

250 koala-friendly shrubs have been planted, koala-friendly fencing has been installed and the Einams have signed a Koala Conservation Agreement with Ipswich City Council.

Eighteen months on, the Einam family’s hard work has been rewarded after they were recently named a finalist for the 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards.

Now in their 18th year, the annual Healthy Land &Water Awards recognise and celebrate the people and groups working to improve and protect South East Queensland’s environment.

Samantha Einam said she was humbled to be named a finalist for the 2018 Awards.

“It’s really nice to be recognized by experts in the field. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears has gone into our project and we’ve encountered lots of challenges along the way, so to gain a bit of recognition makes the tougher times worth it,” she said.

“For us, our only motivation is making sure there is a future and a safe place for the koalas and other native species, especially as development increases the pressure on our environment.”

Alongside the Einams, three other environment champions from Ipswich have been recognised as part of the 2018 Awards:

• Luise Manning, of Springfield Lakes, is a Volunteer of the Year Award finalist for her efforts to establish Springfield Lakes Nature Care in 2017. Luise is the driving force behind the group’s projects to clean up Spring Lake and eradicate pest species from the local environment.
• Seqwater, based in Ipswich, is a finalist for the Sustainable Water Management Award for establishing the Seqwater Source Protection Partnership, a collaboration between landcare groups and landholders working to improve water quality on private agriculture property in South East Queensland.
• Springfield Lakes Nature Care is an Environmental Guardians Award finalist in recognition of the group’s project to minimise the impact of pest species on the local environment, and its ongoing efforts to encourage community involvement in tackling environmental issues.

Healthy Land & Water CEO Julie McLellan congratulated the 2018 finalists and said they are inspirational environmental leaders at a time when the Ipswich region needs them most.

“It is heart-warming to witness the passion in the community for our environment and the selfless dedication so many people have for protecting our remarkable part of the world,” she said.

“Given there is so much focus on the issues facing our environment, it is important we celebrate the people helping to make South East Queensland a greener, cleaner, and healthier place to live so they can inspire more people to take action.”

The winners of each category will be announced at the prestigious 2018 Healthy Land & Water Awards Gala Dinner at Brisbane City Hall on Friday 27 July.

In addition, one category winner will be awarded the $10,000 Minister’s Grand Prize, supported by the Department of Environment and Science, and for the first time, one person will be inducted into the Awards’ Hall of Fame for their long service to South East Queensland’s environment.

Anyone is welcome to attend the Gala Dinner, and attendees will enjoy drinks and canapes under the stars in King George Square and then a three-course meal beneath the backdrop of the iconic Brisbane City Hall auditorium.