I’m always looking forward to our Intrepid Landcare Leadership Retreats.
No two are ever quite the same. Each brings together a different mix of young adults, with their own personalities, perspectives and ways of connecting. The relationships they form, the experiences they share and the ways they grow are as wonderfully varied as the individuals themselves.
Yet, for all that makes each Retreat unique, it’s the things that remain constant that warm my heart most. Always, I’m inspired by the enthusiasm of our wonderful participants, the growth I witness in each of them and the extraordinary momentum they build along the way.
By the time they leave, their engines are well and truly humming. They’re unstoppable forces for good, brimming with ideas, energy and purpose, ready to unleash their environmentalism on the world.
That familiar energy was on display again from 14 to 16 August 2026, when 19 young adults gathered at Clifford Park Activity Centre in Wonga Park for our latest Leadership Retreat. Over two and a half days, they got their hands dirty, learned from local conservationists and began imagining what they might achieve together.
One of my favourite moments came beside the Birrarung (Yarra River), where we lent a hand to the Osborne Peninsula Landcare Group, planting trees and removing weeds on a site they’re restoring. There’s something particularly heartening about seeing young people take pride in contributing to work that began long before they arrived and will continue long after they’ve gone. It’s a wonderful reminder that even a few hours of our time can become part of something much bigger.
Of course, there was plenty more to discover. Morning meditation walks offered a different way to connect with our surroundings and ourselves, an interactive session on deer ecology proved a particular favourite, and even free time became an opportunity for birdwatching and plant identification.
But some of the richest moments came when we turned our attention from the environment to the people working to protect it. Through thought-provoking questions and conversations about the challenges of leadership, participants explored their own strengths and began to recognise how wonderfully those strengths could complement one another. What emerged were four distinct community projects, each shaped by the passions, ideas and abilities of the people who would bring them to life.
And then there was the networking dinner where local landcarers and people working in conservation joined us to share their experiences, offer advice and get to know the next wave of environmental leaders. Before long, the room was buzzing with conversation. It’s a delight to watch those relationships begin, knowing that some may grow into friendships, collaborations and opportunities long after the weekend is over.
By Sunday, the growth in confidence was difficult to miss. And it wasn’t simply something we’d imagined. Feedback gathered before and after the Retreat reflected what we’d been witnessing, with participants reporting greater knowledge of Landcare, feeling less overwhelmed by environmental challenges and growing more confident in their ability to make a difference.
Perhaps most excitingly, the enthusiasm didn’t end when it was time to head home. New friendships had formed, connections had been made with mentors and local environmental groups, and participants were already making plans to stay in touch and bring their projects to life across north-east Melbourne.
And perhaps that’s what I love most about these weekends. These young environmentalists don’t need convincing that the natural world is worth caring for. That passion is already there, just waiting for somewhere to flourish. What we can offer is a space where they can recognise their own capabilities, find others who share their conviction and discover just how much becomes possible when they work together.
There’s something extraordinary about watching that realisation take hold, and seeing the enthusiasm of one person become the inspiration of another. Getting to play a part in bringing these wonderful people together, and watching them make the experience their own, is an honour that still leaves me pinching myself.
I can’t wait to see what you all accomplish. Now bring on the next one, please!
This Intrepid Landcare Leadership Retreat was hosted by North East Melbourne Intrepid Landcare, with support from the Yarra Ranges Landcare Network, and funding from Melbourne Water through the Victorian Landcare Grants Program.
Written by Annette Cavanagh