In recognition of the importance of the Torbay catchment to local residents and the people of the south coast for its fishing, farming, tourism and conservation values, the Torbay Catchment Group formed following interest generated at a community meeting at Elleker Hall in March 1999. The Torbay Catchment Group, in partnership with the Department of Environment, was successful in its application for funding through the National Rivers Consortium as one of two demonstration catchments in Australia. This became the Watershed Torbay project which commenced in 2001. More information on the Watershed Torbay project can be found on the Completed projects page.
The main goal of the Watershed Torbay project was to develop an understanding of catchment processes through research and community consultation, leading to the preparation of a whole of catchment management plan for the restoration of environmental health values, particularly for waterways and wetlands. This became the Watershed Torbay Restoration Plan which was completed in 2005. The Restoration Plan can be downloaded from the Resources page. Through the Watershed Torbay project the group’s vision and mission were agreed upon and are still values which guide the group.
The Greater Torbay Catchment
As a result of the interest shown by communities around Princess Royal Harbour in workshops help by Torbay Catchment Group in 2013, it was decided to extend the coverage of the group to these areas so that they could benefit from all the activities of the group. It was also logical to include all of the West Cape Howe National Park and Torndirrup National Park. These additional areas do not form part of any other recognised catchment area; their drainage lines are short and flow directly to the coast. The expanded area is now referred to as the Greater Torbay Catchment.
The National Riverprize
In 2006, following the launch of the Watershed Torbay Restoration Plan, the Torbay Catchment Group together with the Department of Water made a winning application for the National Riverprize. The restoration plan along with the data collected to compile this comprehensive document formed the basis of the application. This information along with the collaborative approach used to compile the restoration plan made for a stand-out application.
Torbay Catchment Group Committee Members and Staff
Juliet Bateman – Chairperson
Diane Evers – Treasurer
Sarah-Louise Collins – Secretary
Sarah moved to Torbay six years ago and lives on a small hobby farm with her husband Grant. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit and charity sector and a strong background in corporate governance. Passionate about the Torbay catchment, Sarah is dedicated to ensuring a healthy and sustainable environment for the community. She uses her skills and knowledge to support the Torbay Catchment Group to achieve its mission and vision.
Murray Gomm
Oranje Tractor Farm is 10km north west of Albany and was established by Murray Gomm and Pam Lincoln in 1996. The Farm, originally part of a beef cattle farm owned by Murray’s parents, has been transformed to a diverse smallholding with three hectares of wine grapes and over 170 fruit trees, ranging from bananas to cherries and everything in between. Motivated by a desire to work with nature rather than against it, Oranje Tractor Farm achieved organic certification in 2005. In more recent years Murray and Pam have implemented a range of regenerative farming practices that focus on minimal inputs, building soil carbon, creating diversity above and below the ground that results in vines and fruit trees that are better able to withstand pests and diseases as well as a hotter, dryer climate and more extreme weather events. Carbon accounting revealed the Farm absorbs six times the amount of CO2 (and equivalents) than the vineyard emits. The Oranje Tractor vineyard is Net Zero Now. A cover crop demonstration project is being conducted in the vineyard with diverse mid row and under vine species. Oranje Tractor Farm offer Organic and Regenerative Small Farm Tours and regularly host workshops.
Phillip Hull
Phil was born in Adelaide, SA graduating from Mentone Grammar School in Melbourne in 1972. He went on to complete a Dip of Business Studies (Accounting) at Swinburne School of Technology in 1974. He worked in Germany with the Dept of Foreign Affairs for five years before returning to the Department in Canberra in 1979. Subsequently settling in Sydney, he worked in their mid-enterprise sized family corporate scientific and industrial instrument business before transferring to Perth in 1985 to open a new office for that company in WA. Following in this career, Phil successfully ran his own technical sales company with offices in two states for 10 years, before joining a multinational German Telecommunications manufacturer. He was later promoted to Country Manager for Singapore in 1999 and Business Development Manager, SE Asia in 2001. Overall, his corporate roles he travelled internationally for the company, negotiated large corporate global contracts facilitating international teams of people, and has attended numerous trade and corporate training conferences in many countries. Phil returned to university completing a BSc in Applied Science from Curtin University in 2002, as well a post-graduate MBA from the Graduate School at Curtin University in 2003 and shortly thereafter a Cert IV in Project Management at TAFE. Following in the technical career, Phil joined the Mineral Processing Industry in Perth, visiting mining sites all over Australia, in various sales management and machinery service roles for another three global Sales & Service mining machinery organizations finally departing the corporate world at age 67 in 2020. He moved with his wife permanently to their beef cattle property in Albany-Marbelup in 2021, that they’ve jointly owned since 2008 building a new home 2016 -17 that is fully off-grid. In 2021, Phil and his wife opened their traditional hosted new Farm-stay-BnB on the property engaging house guests from all around the world. This, together with their once part time grazing business, now combined being the full-time business that it is today. Phil & his wife have subsequently completed a number of farming courses over recent years, sharpening their local & practical knowledge of farming while making new friends in this region. Phil’s interests involve travelling, hiking, farming, politics, reading and piano music of all kinds and language, while also speaking German. Phil is passionate about Climate Change and our beautiful local environment and has personally applied his technical knowledge in that direction. Phil owns a classic Austin Healey and is a long-term member of the Austin Healey Car Club of WA having served on the committee of the Club. He drives an EV when and where-ever able to do so. Phil’s foreign and Australian corporate experience in both government and non-government organisations includes finance, scientific, technical & industrial electronics, communications and water and slurry pumping, farming, tourism and cooking, while being computer literate. Phil has two children as well as grandchildren while he and his wife continue to work full time.
Cheryl Dowell
Tony Evers
Kaylene Parker
Jeni Schuh
Grant Collins Grant moved to Torbay six years ago and runs a 55-acre hobby farm with stock and an avocado orchard. With a lifelong background in farming, forestry, and primary industry across Australia and New Zealand, he has a keen interest in horticulture, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable farming practices. Grant brings valuable expertise and enthusiasm to the Torbay Catchment Group and is dedicated to actively promoting sustainable land practices.
Staff:
Peter Barnes – Executive Officer
Jemma Peters– Project Officer
Christian Knapp – Project Officer
Cheryl Dowell – Bookkeeper
Taysha Barrett – Communications
Contact Us:
ALL WRITTEN CORRESPONDANCE TO:
PO Box 1900, ALBANY WA 6331
Phone Executive Officer Peter Barnes 0429 614 312
Email info@torbaycatchment.org.au