A tribute to Landcarer Maurie Dynon (1934 – 2023)
Posted on 19 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole
On Saturday 25 March 2023 we lost Landcare legend and Yapeen/ Guildford local, Maurie Dynon. Maurie contributed countless volunteer hours to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and their restoration projects over almost 30 years. He was known affectionately by Yapeen and Guildford locals and often seen down at the local general store in his ute adorned with Landcare signage, collecting his morning paper. After moving to Guildford around thirty years ago, Maurie signed up to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and never looked back. He swore by the power of a cuppa in connecting community. Through his determination and many cups of tea he recruited many Guildford and Yapeen landholders to get on board local restoration projects.
Maurie with his beloved ute overlooking plans for the Larni Barramal Yaluk (previously Jim Crow) creek restoration project. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.
Most notably were his efforts in convincing landholders along Jim Crow Creek, now known as Larni Barramal Yaluk, to join forces in the management of Willow trees and other noxious weeds. Maurie went door to door and shared many cuppas with landholders as he talked of the value of restoring the creek line. Maurie shared the bigger picture with landholders, explaining how their local actions would help ecosystems downstream and lead to improving water quality all the way to Adelaide!
Maurie also worked with Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and landholders along the Guildford Plateau to restore shelterbelts and wildlife corridors across private land. His enthusiasm for restoration spread among landholders across the Plateau with farmers discovering that establishing the corridors also saved their lambs from frost.
Maurie working with Asha Bannon on mapping Landcare projects in 2017. Photo from the Connecting Country archive.
Maurie giving a tour of Blue Duck Mine project site. Photo by Ivan Carter.
Over the many decades that Maurie was involved with Landcare, he worked with many government and community organisations. His ability to leverage funding from government agencies was a credit to him. He saw the big picture possibilities in expanding restoration projects to the landscape scale. Restoration at the Blue Duck Mine site in Fyerstown was another of Maurie’s favourite projects that benefited from his enthusiasm, determination and wonderful conversation skills, resulting in positive outcomes for the local landscape.
Maurie with the Connecting Country team in 2019 at the Landcare Awards. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.
Maurie sitting in a workshop at the Connecting Country Reference group meeting in 2008. Photo by Beth Mellick.
Maurie worked closely with Connecting Country since its beginning in 2008, including as a member of Connecting Country ‘s Reference group and Committee of Management from 2008 -2014. He then continued his relationship as a valued member of Connecting Country’s Landcare Steering Group for over seven years, right up until late 2022. Maurie was a welcome regular visitor to the Connecting Country office, and an inspiration to us all.
The Connecting Country team send their condolences to the beloved family and friends of Maurie. Maurie’s positivity and kindness will be greatly missed.
Comments from his Landcare friends and colleagues:
I was honoured when Maurie invited me to accompany him as his ‘date’ for the 2019 Landcare awards in Melbourne. We have much to learn from Maurie‘s gentle manner, patient determination and significant on-ground achievements. Frances Howe
I first met Maurie when Wettenhall decided to start Connecting Country. In 2007 we got together as many ‘key’ people in the area. Maurie and Lois (Maurie’s wife) were at all the initial meetings and workshops (Maurie always wearing his signature hat), and I got to learn a lot from him. Beth Mellick
Maurie brought humour and wisdom to every room he was in through his many stories. His love for the land and his community were evident in the way he lived his life, and the gentle but persistent ways he inspired so many others to get on board the landcare movement. I’ll always remember his kindness and his perseverance in getting landcare projects done on the smell of an oily rag. Asha Bannon
Maurie was a wonderful conversationalist, and I will always remember his cheeky giggle, positivity and kind nature. Hadley Cole
Down the hill and down the map
Is Guildford Upper Loddon’s patch.
The group has members far and wide,
And utes with writing on the side.
The weeds that way will wilt with worry,
Just from catching sight of Maurie.
From Max Schlachter’s Landcare poem
Maurie was a Landcare gem. Kind, generous and so knowledgeable of all aspects of environmental regeneration, he shared his passion with all who sought his help.
John Cable and I approached Maurie on behalf of the Glenlyon Landcare group many years ago and he spent hours with us advising on funding opportunities, promotion, team building and all the essentials that are required for a successful approach to Landcare.
His advice was invaluable. Spending time with Maurie was magic. He will be greatly missed.
Jill Teschendorff
Maurie’s ability to respectfully connect with all landholders, was a gift of which I was very envious. I did not know Maurie for long but have enormous respect for him.
I know that wherever Maurie’s spirit lands, his new friends will be grateful for his company and wisdom
Very sad to hear of Maurie’s passing. As a member of GULLG, I appreciated his knowledge and generosity for many years.