This award is for you!

With a beaming smile the TLC’s CEO Jane Hutchinson accepted the honour of being named the Tasmanian Australian of the Year for 2016.

Jane now becomes Tasmania’s representative for the Australia of the Year Awards, which will be announced by the Prime Minister on the eve of Australia day in 2016.

In receiving the award from Premier Will Hodgeman Jane then paid credit to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and all its supporters who have built this it into what she described in her speech as ‘an organisation of great strength, commitment and passion for this state’.

‘This award, and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, would be nothing without its supporters – all of the partners, all of the volunteers and of course the financial supporters – that make the Tasmanian Land Conservancy what it is. This award is for you. Thank you so very much.’

In the next year, Jane will travel far and wide across Tassie and beyond to talk up the critical conservation work of the TLC in helping to protect the threatened, fragile and unique species and places on this gorgeous cluster of temperate islands.

Retiring Tasmania Australian of the Year, the inspiring gay rights advocate Rodney Croome, eloquently relayed the tale of the mythical golden heart of the island that only reveals itself rarely and the lucky few. Rodney likened this to the deciduous fagus that turns the central highlands to russet and gold in autumn. Rodney’s gracious handing of the role to Jane came with advice about the elation, demands and incredible opportunities that the coming year will present to her while she spreads the word of the TLC.