Our Mission
Brief History of the Centre
Funding
Our Committee
Strategic Plan
At Gawler Environment Centre (GEC) we work with our local community to encourage action on sustainable living and environmental protection. Our focus is knowledge sharing and taking action together, and we present a wide variety of workshops, projects and events every year.
We are one of three environment centres in the Northern & Yorke Landscape Board district, the other two being Barossa Bushgardens in Nuriootpa and Mount Pleasant Natural Resource Centre. There are six other centres in the broader region of Adelaide and surrounds including Port Environment Centre, Adelaide Sustainability Centre, Hills Environment Centre, Willunga Environment Centre, South Coast Environment Centre, and Normanville Natural Resource Centre.
Our Mission
To collaborate with our community to create thriving environments and sustainable lives.
Brief History of the Centre
2008
- The Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board initiated the first meeting with members of the community who were interested in setting up a Natural Resource Centre in Gawler.
- Native Gardens planted outside of Centre by Greencorp team. The garden was designed by Paul Koch and the plants indigenous to the region were donated by the Gawler Environment and Heritage Association.
2009
- An application for funding was submitted to the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board Offices via the NRC Alliance.
- An interim Gawler Regional NRC Committee was formed.
- June 4th – The Centre was manned by volunteers every Thursday from 10am to 3pm.
- June 10th – The Centre was Incorporated.
- October 8th – The Centre was officially opened by Tony Piccolo MP.
- October 21st – Inaugural AGM and formal Gawler Regional Natural Resource Centre Committee formed.
2010
- January – Funding received from the Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board and part-time coordinator employed
2018
- Became the Gawler Environment Centre and moved to the Gawler Administration Centre (43 High Street, Gawler).
2021
- Moved to Evanston Gardens Community Centre, 65 Angle Vale Rd, Evanston Gardens.
2023
- Moved to our very own premises at 8 Main North Road, Gawler
Funding
We are in a transition period for funding at the moment. In the past the majority of the funding for the centre came from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board including significant in-kind support. With the change to the Landscape Board system we have received funding for 2020-2021 from the newly formed Green Adelaide and we will be classed as part of Northern & Yorke Landscape Board in the future. Ongoing funding arrangements are yet to be outlined. We receive funding for projects from a variety of different state and federal government agencies, as well as sponsorship support from local business.
Our Committee
The Gawler Environment Centre is an independent community group that was incorporated on the 10th of June 2009. The Inaugural AGM was held on the 21st of October, 2009 at which the first official Committee was elected. The Committee is made up of volunteers from the region with experience and interest in environmental protection and sustainability who are committed to assisting with the running of the Centre.
The Committees Constitution was developed by the interim committee and adopted at the AGM, October 2009. It outlines the rules of association for the Committee. Objectives for the Centre have been established by the Committee and a work-plan has been produced to guide the Coordinator in the management of the Centre. There are currently eight members on the Committee out of a maximum of ten. Meetings are held bi-monthly. Members of the public are welcome to attend and if you would like to join the Committee please contact us.
GEC Committee Membership as of November 2023
Jack Gill: Chairperson
Abby Buckley: Treasurer
Taylor Ebbs: Secretary
Graham Brookman: Ordinary Member
Philippa Davey: Ordinary Member
Tracey Hall: Ordinary Member
Kathy Whitta: Coordinator
Tracey Hall: Public Officer
Strategic Plan
The committee of Gawler Environment Centre is pleased to present our new Strategic Plan for 2023-24 to 2025-26. We look forward to delivering an exciting range of workshops, activities and events informed by the following priorities:
Build community capacity to connect with and care for nature
Build community capacity to live more sustainably
Build grassroots capacity to respond to the climate emergency
Increase awareness of First Nations cultural knowledge, values and lore (In the community and at GEC)
View the plan in full at: GEC Strategic Plan Final 2023-24 to 2025-26
