Farewell Marie Jones after 17 years!
Posted on 11 December, 2025 by Hadley Cole
At Connecting Country’s 2025 AGM we wiped away a tear or two as we said farewell to Connecting Country stalwart and superstar Marie Jones. Marie has been involved with the organisation since its inception and has at one point or another held every single position on the executive committee, from Treasurer, to President, Secretary and all roles in between.
In 2007, Marie was instrumental in the creation of Connecting Country. Over the last 17 years she has worked tirelessly to ensure that Connecting Country is successful and sustainable. She has been involved in at least four sub-committees of the organisation including the Landcare Steering Group, where she provided hours of support and mentorship to the various staff that took up the role as the local Landcare Facilitator.
Marie began her volunteer career in the local community over thirty years ago! Throughout this time, she has guided many projects that will have a lasting impact on the local environment, heritage and people across the Chewton, Castlemaine and entire Mount Alexander region. She has been involved in many local community groups including, Golden Point Landcare, Post Office Hill Action Group, Friends of the Box Iron-bark Forests, just to name a few!
In 2024 Marie’s dedication to volunteering over the past three decades was recognised when she received the Joan Kirner Victorian Landcare Award. It was no surprise to the Connecting Country team when Marie’s name was called out. We all knew she was deserving of the award, we were thrilled that the rest of Victoria and the statewide Landcare community also recognised her contribution.
Photos above from left to right: The inception of Connecting Country. Fire & Biodiversity event (2014), Landcare Network Award (2017)
Marie is often the thread linking various community members and organisations within the Mount Alexander region together. She has a wonderful ability to bring people together and enable civil and respectful discussions around, what are at times, controversial topics. She is an exceptional grassroots environmental leader. She is the person people want to talk to about new ideas, about government funding, about issues groups may be having, about issues in the community, about working with other groups, about forming new committees or working on arising issues.
2017 Landcare Awards, Asha Bannon, Christine Brooke, Marie, Ian Higgins.
Perhaps one of Marie’s most outstanding achievements has been the work she put in behind the scenes to establish Connecting Country. Although its creation was a joint effort by many, everyone involved will attest that Marie was a driving force whose skills, knowledge and commitment were critical to its success. She was instrumental in engaging the widest range of stakeholders possible during the establishment process, particularly encouraging Landcare groups and their members to become involved, which they did. One of the defining things about Marie is that she takes a constructive and positive approach to any situation. She treats everyone as a person, with respect, no matter what disagreement or problem there is to work out.
Marie has a saying “think globally, act locally”, which articulates that the actions we take in our own patch can have a ripple effect across communities at the regional, state, national and even global level. Marie’s ability to keep all the parts of an issue in perspective is a strength that makes her relatable to many people within the community.
The entire Connecting Country community greatly appreciates Marie’s contribution, and whilst she has stepped down from the Committee, we know she will stay well-connected through Landcare and other local pursuits. We hope that stepping away from the Connecting Country responsibilities will create more time for her and her partner John to spend time with family and friends and enjoy some well-deserved down time.
Words from current Connecting Country staff and committee members about Marie:
I had known Marie for many years but it was after a FOBIF walk on my farm at Yapeen in 2016 that Marie approached me to join the Committee of Connecting Country. I have always been impressed by Marie’s energy, enthusiasm, excellent communication skills and her involvement in community and environmental matters. She has been an invaluable member of the Connecting Country Committee and a joy to work with. – Max Kay, Connecting Country Treasurer
It has always been a joy to come to work and see Marie. She is always helpful, supportive and knows just how to handle every situation. She has a knack of knowing exactly what is going on and what is needed at the right time. She will be greatly missed. Thankyou for everything Marie! – Bonnie Humphreys, Connecting Country Landscape Restoration Coordinator
I first met Marie when we were members of regional committees with the North Central CMA, almost 20 years ago, and she subsequently got me involved in Connecting Country when we moved to Faraday. Marie’s passion for environmental enhancement and protection, is well known, as is her great concern and support for the well-being of our communities. Her dedication to everything she takes on is awe inspiring. It has been a great pleasure working with Marie at Connecting Country – great conversations, many problems to solve, many laughs to be had and all in a very positive and cheerful way. I’m hoping there will be many more opportunities to work with her in the future. Can we call catching up for coffee “working”? – Chris Brooke, Connecting Country Committee Member
When I started at Connecting Country, Marie went out of her way to make me feel welcome with a coffee and a local field guide. She has always shown and appreciation and respect for staff, quickly responding to any queries and never shying away from the challenging issues. Her involvement across many aspects of the community means she always brought valuable community voice into project planning and decision making. I will miss Marie on the Committee but I know it won’t be the last we see of her. – Lori Arthur Connecting Country Director/ Landcare Facilitator
When I first started with Connecting Country as the Landcare Facilitator in 2021, Marie immediately made sure I knew she was their to support me in my new role. Her knowledge of the local community is incredible! She passed on so much information of previous projects, events and partnerships between local groups and community members. Whenever I had a new idea, Marie was the first person I went to, and still do! Despite the fact that she has witnessed all the various conservation trends over her years, she always endorsed my ideas with enthusiasm and support. Marie’s diplomacy and community spirit will be greatly missed by all at Connecting Country. Hopefully she and John can now take a well earned rest! – Hadley Cole former Landcare Facilitator.
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