Hear from the source: what it’s like being part of a regional SA landscape board

Interested in making a difference in your community?

Nominations are open for positions on the Eyre Peninsula, Hills and Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland, Northern and Yorke, and South Australian Arid Lands landscape boards.

Boards play an important role, working with their communities to provide strategic leadership and deliver regional priorities with a focus on land, water, animals, pests and biodiversity.

It’s important that landscape board membership reflects the diversity of the communities they serve, so women, First Nations peoples and young adults are among the demographics being encouraged to apply.

Want to know more about what’s involved?

We recently sat down with Ellen Litchfield, deputy chair of the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board to chat about her role, what’s involved and why it’s important.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m the deputy chair of the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board.

My husband Blake and I grew up in the arid lands and although we’ve travelled and lived in many other places, including London, we love it there.

We now live and work on Wilpoorinna Station with our 2 little boys Winston (2) and Albie (8 months).

I love life on the station because it’s fast-paced and we have a great time working with our animals through the seasons.

I’m a veterinarian and have a masters in sustainable agriculture, so have spent a long time studying how to not only look after our production animals correctly, but also our broader landscape.

Q: What does a day in the life look like for you?

My days usually start early! Both the boys are early risers and we love watching the sunrise.

Before babies I liked to get outside straight away but this doesn’t always happen now. So now, depending on whether Blake can get them ready or not, we usually make it out the door a bit later.

Firstly, we feed the poddy lambs and calves, the chooks and our horses.

Every day is different on the station, so this week it’s been busy with mustering sheep. Sometimes it’s chasing water supply to the paddocks and other times it’s mustering cattle – but it’s always different.

If things are going well, I might move some stock on one of my horses which I enjoy!

Q: What inspired you to apply to join the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board?

Our general manager reached out and encouraged me apply to be on the board. I’m grateful because I’ve really enjoyed it.

I have recently completed an Australian Institute of Company Directors course and really enjoyed learning more about strategic direction and the importance of culture.

In hindsight, it was a great fit and made sense to apply to join the board since I’d finished my masters and recently moved back to the station.

I want to make sure our landscape is thriving for my children and working on big picture ideas at a board-level is one way to build towards that.

Q: What is involved in being a landscape board member?

Our board meets every 2 months for 2 days, where we discuss the priorities for our regions.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other board members. We have a diverse range of skillsets that work together to try to balance the tricky task of maintaining our landscape for environmental, social and cultural good.

Q: What is your favourite part of being the deputy chair of your Landscape Board?

I like feeling that I am playing a part in ensuring the resilience of our landscape. Ensuring the strategic direction of our organisation is on its most effective path is a rewarding role.

Nominations are open until 5pm on 23 August 2024.

Don’t miss out! Find more information and apply by visiting https://landscape.sa.gov.au/board-nominations.

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