Meet Our Committee & Staff

The TRLA Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month (between February and November) to oversee and coordinate Landcare activities in the region. The TRLA Committee consists of up to 8 non-executive committee members elected annually at the AGM in October.

Contact Wayne Chaffey for further information or to become involved: info@trla.org.au

Committee Members

President – Wayne Chaffey

Vice President – George Macdonald

Secretary – Narelle Chaffey

Treasurer – Stephanie Cameron

Public Officer – Stephanie Cameron

Ordinary members –  

  • Lyn Allen
  • Jean Coady
  • John Simpson
  • Aurelie Quade
  • Kate Masters
  • Wayne Collinson


Our Dedicated Staff

Executive Officer – Jacqui Gidley-Baird

Local Landcare Coordinator (Tamworth) – Ninna Douglas

Local Landcare Coordinator (Tamworth) – Susan Wilson

Local Landcare Coordinator (Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah)
- Nicky Chirlian

Local Landcare Coordinator (Youth and Education) - Kate Spry 

Regional and Local Administrative Officer - Kat Pilavidis

Regional Landcare Coordinator  - Shelley McDouall

Nursery Manager – Paul Moxon

Nursery Supervisor – Julie Clancy




Latest News



🌿 Biodiversity & Productivity – Tamworth Workshop | 15 May 🌿

We’re excited to be partnering with Carbon8 for a powerful one-day workshop all about boosting biodiversity to strengthen your farming system — from the soil up!

Whether you’re managing pasture or cropping, increasing biodiversity can improve productivity, build resilience, and reduce the need for chemical inputs. This is your chance to hear directly from landholders, educators, and experts who are walking the talk.

📅 When: Wednesday, 15 May

🐾 NSW Companion Animals Act Review – Have Your Say! 🐾

🐾 NSW Companion Animals Act Review – Have Your Say! 🐾

🚨 Submissions close Sunday, May 4, 2025 🚨

After years of advocacy, the NSW Government is finally reviewing the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 — and your voice is urgently needed to help protect our native wildlife from the impacts of free-roaming pet cats.

🦘 Why it matters:
This outdated law currently prevents local Councils from setting and enforcing cat containment policies, leaving cats to roam, kill native wildlife, and spread diseases like toxoplasmosis. It’s time for a law that reflects modern expectations of responsible pet ownership.

💥 Make a difference – three easy options:
Option A (quick & easy):
Use the Invasive Species Council’s free writing kit – they’ll send you a ready-to-go email template.
🔗 Register here

✍️ Option B (most impactful):
Write a short email in your own words explaining why you believe cat containment is essential.
📧 Email: ca.review@olg.nsw.gov.au
📝 Subject: Companion Animals Act Review

💡 Ask for:

  • Statewide 24/7 cat containment laws
  • Mandatory desexing by 4 months
  • $9 million+ in support for Councils and education campaigns


📄 Option C (official form):
Review the discussion paper and submit feedback via the online submission form on the Office of Local Government site.
🔗 Submit here

🌿 Every submission helps push for change! Let’s keep native wildlife safe, support responsible pet ownership, and empower Councils to act. Please share this widely. 🐨🦉🐾

🚜 Calling All Farmers, Farm Managers & Owners! 🌱

🚜 Calling All Farmers, Farm Managers & Owners! 🌱

We're helping support important PhD research from Federation University Australia exploring how farmers think about sustainability, technology, and data in agriculture – and how we can build better tools to support real-world needs.

If you're a farmer, farm manager, or farm owner, please take 10-15 minutes to complete this anonymous survey. ✅
Or, if you’re not a farmer, help us by sharing this post with your networks!

🧑‍🌾 Your insights will help shape a new framework for assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impacts in agriculture.

🔗 Take the survey here:
https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mqz9Vzs9m7kdNk

🎓 Research by Bhola Paudel, PhD Candidate
✔️ Approved by Federation University Human Research Ethics Committee (2024/228)

Our members often say that when you become part of Landcare, you’re not just joining a group, you’re becoming part of a family. The concept is so compatible with Australian culture it’s hard not to get involved! By becoming a TRLA member, you’ll be supporting our work, learning new skills, becoming part of the solution, and helping to make a difference for the future.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

together we can make a difference

funding support

Did you know (TRLA) run an Annual Small Grants program for Landcare activities connected to the Tamworth region.

Volunteer Landcare and Grassroots Community groups can apply up to $2,500 for activities that meet an objective of TRLA’s strategic plan with eight successful projects being awarded funds from across the region.

APPLY NOW APPLY NOW