desertchannelsG R O U P

desertchannels

group Annual Report 12/13

desertchannelsG R O U P

The difference between stumbling blocks

and stepping stones is how you use them

The Desert Channels Region comprises the Queensland portion of the Lake Eyre Basin - nearly 1/3 of the State. It is 510,000 km2.

Desert Channels Group Annual Report 2012-2013

Copyright © Desert Channels Group 2013

Parts or all of this publication may be reproduced, but only with the express prior permission of the publisher.

Published by

Desert Channels GroupPO Box 601(92 Galah Street)LongreachQ 4730

Ph: 07 4658 0600Email: info@dcq.org.auWeb: www.dcq.org.au

Design: DC SolutionsImages: Used with permission from the Channel Country Photographic Competition

3

ContentsContentsContents

Contents 5 Welcome 6 Five years in review 8Reports 10 Chair 12 CEO 14 DCQ 18 DC Solutions 20 Foundation 22Feature story 24 Courage under fire 26 Take the shot 28Our team 30 Our staff 32 Our board 36 Meeting attendance 37Financials 38 2012-2013 40 2008-2012 42

4 5

Our business has always required us to neatly wrap up each project, each 6 months, each year and each funding period. We have now completed the last 5 years of funding and we are looking ahead to the next half decade and beyond.

It provides a perfect opportunity to assess our business, its challenges and achievements, and to plan for the period ahead. So, with excitement and anticipation, we are reshaping for the future.

As a community organisation, we work towards community priorities for the natural resources of the region while balancing the need to meet funding requirements. It is not only for those who call the Desert Channels region home, but it is for the benefit of all Australians that we work to ensure this part of the country is in the best shape it can be for generations to come.

We still have some of the most untouched river systems in the world with our unique internally draining rivers being part of the iconic Lake Eyre Basin.

Our efforts focus on four different aspects of a healthy landscape: Land, Water, Biodiversity and Community. They are all interdependent and none can thrive alone, if one suffers, they all suffer.

Thank you for taking time to read our report. We thank you for your ongoing support as you partner with us to build a better future for all.

Our vision: Future generations value and improve our unique landscape

Our mission: Igniting the passion for the Outback; conserving its natural wonders

Our ethos: Working as a team, thinking as an organisation, acting as a community business

7

Welcom

e

6

facebook followers YouTube hits followers

560 26250 80

2750+

15.94

books sold

community information and training events

million over 5 years

$

Five years in review

10-1109-1008-09

$2.919 Million

$2.935 Million

$2.995 Million

12-1311-1210-11

$2.995 Million

$3.456 Million

$3.636 Million

Government funding sourced and used for NRM outcomes

345

20media opportunities created

major government contracts

340,869ha strategic weed control

151,806ha riparian vegetation enhanced through fencing

177,757ha of enhanced terrestrial vegetation management

= 10,000ha

300+

510,000

211

individual projects with land managers delivered

square kilometres

Here is a quick snapshot of highlights from the last 5 years of Caring for Our Country funding cycle. This represents just a portion of what we have achieved across our vast region of 510,000 km2.

attendees at events and training sessions

feral pigs controlled

28,000

7057

8 9

ReportsReportsReports

10 11

OCT

2110years of service

We started the year as we left off, with hope and enthusiasm, and again we have been challenged to adapt to changing political times. There are sure to be further funding challenges ahead.

We delivered, but at a cost. The uncertainty of funding has taken its toll as it has throughout Australia- we are part of the community therefore we share the pain.

On a brighter note, DC Solutions will donate to the Desert Channels Foundation for the first time. A milestone that we worried would be hard to achieve but an excellent result from the commitment of all involved.

Caring for our Country has reached the end of its funding cycle and the next period’s indicative allocations have been assigned with a lesser amount than hoped for.

Our Region is very dry, market prices are not good and the banks are pressing – which only heightens my admiration and respect for the people we deal with who persist in wanting to improve their country.

Caring for Our Country in Queensland focussed the majority of funding on the Reef Regions to the detriment of the Rangelands. We have withstood the challenge but no doubt could have done better with more community prioritised funding.

The Wild Rivers/Western Rivers saga continues with clear evidence that the majority of people in the Lake Eyre Basin catchment want the integrity of the system maintained, with no expansion of irrigation and no destruction of country by mining operations. It will be interesting to see if this is achievable.

Without people of the calibre of our CEO, Leanne Kohler, our Board, Staff and Community, Desert Channels would not have achieved what it has. Add to the mix some fine Government and Agency people and you have the recipe for a good result.

In my time, Desert Channels has encouraged wise use of our natural resources to give good results environmentally, financially and socially. We are now exploring strategic weed control in cooperation with the State and local governments of the Region and AgForce. We will build on this.

This is my final report as I step down at the end of June to be followed by a very capable individual in Bruce Scott, who I am sure will lead the Group well. To everybody who I have worked with, fought with and talked with, I can only say ‘Thank you’. Inadequate I know.

I am very grateful to the members of Desert Channels for their trust, support and interest in the organisation.

Lastly, I must record my gratitude and admiration to my wife, Myra, without whose contribution in running our place I would not have been able to commit the time needed.

Peter Douglas

Chair’s report

12 13

(This funding) has allowed us to care for our property

better, allowing a better outcome for the natural environment and delivering to us a tool to enable us to sustainably make a better living for our families.

For the past five years, the one and only constant in the Desert Channels Group has been change. To survive we’ve reshaped every facet of our business from our products, services and delivery models through to our people. Organisations world-wide do the same, with varying levels of success and in this regard, DCG is no different.

Napoleon stated that a leader is a dealer in hope’, and I certainly concur. When it comes to this organisation, there has been no shortage of hope dealt. However, hope and wishful thinking are not responsible for where we are today. As a team, it’s our collective ability to be highly innovative and creative in our thinking, plus our ability to remain agile to change that keeps us in the game.

Leadership is the key to organisations transitioning well, but that leadership doesn’t have to be restricted to the CEO, Chair or Board. On any given day, in any team somewhere, sometime’ there are people who have to lead for successful delivery. And in the Desert Channels Group we are fortunate to have many aspiring leaders in their field of expertise.

Through the Caring for our Country program it has been essential to cut the cloth to fit’, and while the numbers are important and act as a guide, no one ever gave their heart and soul for a bunch of numbers! But an inspiring vision is a different story! If a team can believe it they can see it, and if they can see it they can commit to it, and only then will momentum be gained.

While the past year was very similar to the previous four years in terms of contractual obligations and delivery for governments, things are about to change. Early in the New Year we began reshaping our organisation for the next five year round of Caring for our Country. Negotiating with and influencing governments for delivering on their NRM priorities was followed by planning for our future, and embedding our new vision with the team.

We are a team that gains high energy from initiating ground-breaking activities, so we are developing a delivery model that is challenging and inspiring, while still making a difference in the landscape. We’ve still a way to go, but there are exciting times ahead.

CEO’s report

14 15

The future will not be without its challenges, but we thrive on them … it’s what extends us and brings out the best.

DC Solutions has had a tremendous year and for the first time we’ve been able to donate money to the Desert Channels Foundation. To see a dream reach fruition is very rewarding, and while there were times during the DC Solutions journey that I worried I was in fact a `dreamer’, the dream has been achieved! And so dawns another day, and the push to earn commercial funds begins again. The passion we have for our commercial arm is strengthened every day, knowing that all our profits go towards DCQ on-ground

NRM priorities that are either unfunded, or under-funded, by Government.

This year saw the development of another arm to DC Solutions in the form of DC Events. It may seem a long stretch from environmental consultancy, but we have certainly demonstrated successfully through the popularity and excellence of our digital production arm, Desert

Channels Digital, that commercially we are only limited by our imaginations and energy. Where we have a skill, it is not wasted in this organisation. So if you need event management, catering or service with a difference, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

You may be asking why we would be venturing into events. Well, business is like nature in that it doesn’t like a vacuum so, when we identify a need or a niche, we make the most of it. Our purpose and vision keep us moving forward, and we are no longer content to just `make a difference’, we want to ‘be the difference’! I hope you can join us.

Our third arm, Desert Channels Foundation, is finally starting to hit its straps. You will start to see and hear more happening through the Foundation now that we have a draft prospectus and some dollars in the bank. They may only seem small but, trust me, for those of us who have been on the journey, they are huge! There is more information on this in the Foundation report on page 22.

This year has also seen the inaugural Chair of Desert Channels, Peter Douglas, retire from the position to do other things in life (that he previously hasn’t had the time to do whilst being dedicated to the role of Chair). A decade of putting your life on hold is sacrifice enough I think, and while his counsel and wit will be missed, the forged friendship and loyal support will continue.

The appointment of our new Chair, Bruce Scott has been embraced by the team, Board and membership and we look forward to working with Bruce for many years to come. Bruce has a long association with Desert Channels Queensland, so he is no stranger to our achievements or challenges. In many ways, it was just like welcoming a long time friend back home.

Nothing is ever achieved overnight and for a small team of individuals maintaining and building businesses, there comes an understanding of commitment at a very different level. This team understands that every day has to count,

regardless of what else is impacting on their lives. They do it without question and without exception and for this I’m forever thankful. This daily commitment comes at a cost, but hopefully the rewards of their achievements offset those costs!

As we all know, success doesn’t just happen, it turns up everyday wearing overalls and, for some of us, heels!

Leanne Kohler

CEO - continued

16 17

DCQ

report

January saw a record breaking heatwave, resulting in Queensland’s hottest recorded month ever, with many parts of the western inland having maximum temperatures 5 to 6°C above normal. This feast or famine creates competing priorities and challenging times for land managers across Western Queensland.

Almost all of DCQ’s established programs with both the Australian and Queensland governments came to an end as of 30 June 2013, with multiple reviews and final reports being prepared as a result. Once again, not rain, but a deluge. Staff have also been kept busy developing and submitting project applications to address the plethora of new funding opportunities which have been called in short succession this year.

Some of the highlights of 2012-13 include:

> Fifty-two strategic onground projects have been implemented with land managers, including 140,000ha of weed control works, and the enhancement of 90,000ha of riparian land.

> Our Caring for our Country funded feral pig control programs are now complete - 30 properties covering 3.4 million hectares; 23,043 feral pigs removed from the Diamantina, Barcoo and Cooper catchments.

> A feral pig control program has also been completed along the Georgina River and Eyre Creek with funding from the Queensland Government, seeing 4,685 feral pigs culled from these catchments.

> DCQ co-sponsored the Australian Floodplain Association conference “Lake Eyre Basin – Under the Spotlight” this year in Longreach, with around 80 participants spending three days considering the values and threats to this iconic part of Australia. Desert Channels Digital covered the issues with a YouTube news report titled, ‘Government plans fan discontent in the Lake Eyre Basin.

They say it never rains, it pours, and this has certainly been the case for our region. After three years of good flooding rains, we have experienced a very dry season.

> DCQ coordinated and undertook sampling at 16 surface water sites approximately every three weeks from January to June across three NRM regions – Desert Channels, Southern Gulf and North Queensland Dry Tropics. This sampling has provided valuable baseline information, and will help establish water quality guidelines across the regions.

> The filming of 14 Lake Eyre Basin “People and Passion” stories has been completed in collaboration with the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee and Northern Territory NRM. The films were launched at the Lake Eyre Basin Biennial Conference in Port Augusta, SA in September and can be viewed at www.dcsolutionss.org.au/showcase

> A trial of woody weed control using innovative aerial technology was undertaken in the Winton district and has provided substantial data regarding the possibilities of cost effective control in areas that have previously been difficult or not possible to control due to inaccessibility. Around 70 land managers and interested parties attended the associated field day.

> Stage 2 of a trial to explore use of an orchard mister (air shear) in prickly acacia control was also conducted in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland near Barcaldine.

> Our Recording Traditional Ecological Knowledge wrapped up after almost 2 years. The videos of Indigenous people telling their stories were shared on the Desert Channels YouTube channel.

> Regional Landcare community engagement has been bolstered with an update to DCQ’s show display trailer to include children’s activities and a cactus display, which were presented at the Barcaldine, Longreach and Muttaburra shows. The Regional Landcare Facilitator program and local Landcare groups have also been successful in attracting funding for several new projects.

> DCQ has delivered biodiversity/NRM training to Land and Sea Rangers program participants. The rangers were also supplied with a variety of resources including native and pest plant and animal field guides.

The prickly acacia has for a long time been an issue on Tarcombe. This extra funding enabled us, as new owners, to get right on top of the problem quickly. We would highly recommend this process to anyone as DCQ have been very good to work with and most helpful.

16

14

140,000

52

surface water sites monitored

stories on the Lake Eyre Basin

ha weeds treated

grants devolved

Calm in the storm

18 19

In July 2012, we had the great good fortune to benefit from Premier Campbell Newman’s public service down sizing. Christine O’Brien is a project management specialist with a background in water services; her expertise and experience has seen us grow our business in these sectors.

Our filmmaking arm, under Alun Hoggett, also performed strongly over the year. We were very fortunate to have the services of Sydney Film School graduate, Harrison Logan, for three months to assist with filming and post-production of 14 short films for the Lake Eyre Basin Awareness project. Harry also assisted with the finalisation of several other projects, including our new show reel.

We started the financial year the same way we began our commercial journey: as a trading name of DCQ, but work was well advanced for us to be constituted as a company limited by guarantee. This came into effect on the first of October 2012; the only difference our clients will have noticed is changed details on our invoices.

However, it does make a couple of key differences for us. The first is, we no longer need special registration to work outside of Queensland; the second is, it is now much easier to show that there is a clear separation between DCQ’s government funding, and DC Solutions’ commercial activities.

Apart from that, we’ve continued with business as usual: project management, water quality monitoring, research, environmental surveys, weed control, planning, information management, graphic design and filmmaking.

Oh ... and dreaming.

… dreams are what drive.

Like plans - and children - dreams are far easier to conceive than to deliver. But when a dream is realised, the sense of achievement and satisfaction of a job well done overrides the stress and toil, and condemns the sleepless

nights and worry to a faded memory … again, a lot like giving birth.

DC Solutions was founded on a dream. When we started building our dream in early 2009, our goal was to make a serious contribution to the work of DCQ, through donating our surpluses to the Desert Channels Foundation. The higher you aim, and the harder you have to work to get there, the sweeter the fruit.

At the end of this year, and while still within that ‘corporate adolescence’ period (between two and five years) when 32% of businesses close

while attempting to grow, we were able to make our first, and quite significant donation to the Foundation - $200,000. Sweet fruit indeed!

To claim that it was all due to our own hard work would be a self-serving simplification. It was a combination of hard work, quality associates, and most of all, the loyalty and confidence of a great stable of clients. Without our clients, we would be nothing, and we owe them a huge vote of thanks.

We thank them for their repeat business, and for referring others to us. Repeats and referrals: the very best form of advertising because it’s free! Not that we have anything against paying for advertising; in fact, we will begin advertising as part of our strategy to grow the business through the next five years.

Together with DCQ we have educated other graziers on the cactus via a field day, and work tirelessly to eradicate and control snake cactus on Bexley. We are totally committed to this project and the assistance and expertise provided by DCQ is truly appreciated.

Dreams are like plans … everyone should have one!

DC Solutions report

Fulfilling the dream 200thousand donated to the Foundation

projects86

9new clients

20 21

The other, and perhaps more exciting landmark, is the receipt of substantial donations toward the end of the financial year. Despite the fact that we didn’t do any fundraising, even though it was intended, we still received $212,900 in donations. While $200,000 of that came from DC Solutions, which generously donated its entire surplus of the year, there were also healthy donations from individuals.

This is such an exciting time: the Foundation can now start funding projects, albeit in a very modest way. This will grow through the next year as we begin our fundraising in earnest.

The likely beneficiary of initial funding is the Night Parrot, which has been rediscovered, and in the heart of our region. Given that the Desert Channels region has a huge swath of potential Night Parrot habitat, our funding to assist sustainable management of these areas is set to play a critical role in the survival of this most enigmatic of birds.

Another notable event for the year was the recognition by the South Australian Geographical Names Unit of the traditional Arabana name for Lake Eyre … Kati Thanda (pronounced cut-e tun-da). The Foundation recognises this throughout their draft prospectus and draft website text by referring to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, and the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin.

Stoking the passion for the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin; conserving its natural and cultural values, enhancing its productivity. That’s our mission.

Our inland river catchments preserved, productive and secure ... for all ... forever. That’s our vision.

We’re on an exciting journey … we hope you can join us!

Foundation report

A report normally sets out the activities and achievements of the year in chronological order, but

seeing as the last few months of this reporting period were by far the most interesting and demonstrably productive of the year, we’ll reverse the convention.

As at 30th June 2013, we have a draft prospectus ready for Board consideration ... woo hoo! We also have a number of projects outlined and ready for development to the shovel-ready stage, awaiting funding. These projects are based on the recommendations of our Think Tank expert panel which met in 2011 to establish a framework for significant projects; projects that will see our inland river catchments preserved, productive and secure ... for all ... forever.

Our projects will be focussed on delivering healthy habitats, and maximising the future prospects of our native species, and the prosperity of our people. This will be done through: engagement, education and empowerment; research and

partnerships; and on-ground activity. In a sneak peek, we can reveal we’re working on an education and training bursary, innovation award, cactus control, biological survey, habitat protection, and feral cat control.

In concert with the development of the draft prospectus, we have been drafting content for the redevelopment of our website, which hasn’t changed in four years. This is going to have an exciting and dynamic look and feel, will provide updates on projects and fundraising, and will give our supporters the opportunity to interact with us. Keep your eyes out for this in early 2014!

So … prospectus, projects, website. Progress has been steady but deliberate; we want to get them right the first time. To date, we have relied on donated time, as well as the spare capacity of DCQ or DC Solutions staff - not a common occurrence. However, by chipping away, we have reached these landmarks; there will be many more to come.

‘Incipe in finis’ as Cicero might have said, but probably didn’t ... ‘begin upon the end’.

Beginning at the end

Worth seeing? Absolutely!

Worth protecting? Undoubtedly!

Worth supporting? Without question!

donate now

www.dcfoundation.org.au or phone 07 4658 0600

$

22 23

Feature storyFeature storyFeature story

24 25

28000feral pigs controlled

230thousand hacontrol

25000+km travelled

43days aerial shooting

Courage under fire There are always uncertainties in our business with the variability of funding not being the least. Like all who live in the region, there are the ongoing

challenges of this unforgiving country; no rain, too much rain, fire, plagues and whatever else a new season may fire at us.

Many might shrink in fear of the challenge but like the toughness of this country, we keep moving forward … to triumph in the end. Like the old saying, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’.

Rainfall has been so immense in the previous few years that scientists believe it has slowed global sea level rising due to the huge quantity of water falling in the internally draining Lake Eyre Basin catchments. These flooding rains have brought with it a population explosion of feral pigs across several million hectares of rangeland systems.

This was our chance to take to the skies to tackle the problem from a higher vantage point. We coordinated and mobilised a team of aerial operators across key regional hotspots in the Diamantina, Barcoo, Cooper, Mulligan, Eyre and Georgina catchments.

Nelson Mandela is a man who overcame great adversity to change the world. He said he learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.

Feral pigs cause massive damage to our Outback wetlands, including endangered mound spring communities, and impact heavily on the native animals and plant populations. Focussing on the permanent and ephemeral wetlands of these largely intact drainage systems gave us more concentrated populations to address.

We also undertook aerial surveys to estimate feral pig populations across these catchments, and onground field work to see what diseases the pigs might be carrying, and what native plants and animals were in their diet.

There is no such thing as plain sailing. I guess you need a strong wind to move ahead despite the storm it brings. There were many logistical challenges brought on by weather events and exacerbated by the size of the area we were covering. This sometimes meant a long trip to drop off fuel and supplies to ensure work could be undertaken on time. It meant many phone calls and plenty of planning.

When rain interfered with our time line, there was nothing to be done other than make sure we were ready to go as soon as it stopped - and that is exactly what we did.

We have been able to complete 230,000 hectares of control works with project funding from the Queensland and Australian governments, and in-kind support from land holders. Around 28,000 pigs have been taken out of these systems to date.

The cooperation and support of landholders and project partners has been invaluable to the success of the project. However, continued vigilance is needed as feral pig populations have the potential to grow at a rate of 86% in twelve months given the right conditions, enabling them to recover quickly after control.

The fact that we are now in a dry period means populations will already be stressed due to lack of water and feed; a good time for ongoing follow up using shooting, baiting and trapping.

Ongoing monitoring of pig populations needs to occur allowing DCQ staff and landholders to determine when it would be necessary to carry out large scale control programs. Aerial surveys and the use of motion cameras would provide valuable data in determining this.

Our ultimate goals are to assist landholders in their own control programs and methods, to encourage them to persist with feral pig control, and to triumph in the fight.

(We were) able to significantly reduce pig populations which had built up considerably following consecutive good seasons. The level of control achieved through this project will reduce the impact of pigs in subsequent seasons and reduce our ongoing control costs... Excellent support from DCQ to scope out, develop and cost the project.

26 27

8000km travelled

20OCT

20 days

Two blokes, a ute, and eight something thousand kilometres in twenty days may not sound exciting but throw in some camera gear, a couple of swags and some local larrikins, and it becomes an adventure!

Thanks to $20,000 provided by the Queensland Government in 2011, we were able to commence a Basin-wide digital communications project to capture stories in the form of short videos.

Covering a whopping 1.2 million square kilometres, size alone was a challenge but, by using our networks, an itinerary was developed to travel around the basin to meet with people already known for their commitment to the region.

The road trip took project officers Alun Hogget and Harrison Logan as far east as Lake Galilee, up to Camooweal in the north, west to Areyonga in the and south to William Creek.

If a picture tells a thousand words, a video communicates a million. The videos captured the stories of passionate Basin residents as a rich, living and breathing tapestry woven from the trials and triumphs of these Outback heroes.

The first stage of the project saw DCQ set up a collaborative venture with the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee (LEBCAC) and produce six digital stories about Queensland Lake Eyre Basin “Champions”. The stories explored their passions for the Lake Eyre Basin and what they are doing to help protect its natural values. These are people who face the challenges of the Outback head on, people of courage and conviction. The films include stories from water management to fauna conservation and highlight the wide range of passions within the Lake Eyre Basin.

I just wanted to say a big thanks to all for the video stories and postcards, what a fantastic project with great stories told, we at TNRM look forward to promoting the stories further through our networks and website in the coming months.

Heidi Groffen

14stories on the Lake Eyre Basin

The project was very well received and, as a result, further funding was made available to DCQ from the Queensland Government, LEBCAC and Territory Natural Resource Management to undertake a second stage of the project in 2012-13. With filming and production now complete, the stories can be viewed at www.dcsolutions.org.au/showcase/. Take a moment to check them out.

The project has been a valuable cross-border partnership that underlines the imperative of ignoring lines on a map when dealing with the management of natural resources. And while these stories paint us a bigger picture, and reinforce that we are part of something far greater and that we are all connected. Together, as part of this great community, we work to protect what we have for those who will come after us.

We have taken the shot, and are giving it our best shot.

Take the shot

28 29

30 31

Our teamOur teamOur team

Bu

siness team

Bill Gates said “Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short

a time.” Cloud Computing, Google map engine and apps like *Fulcrum have certainly been a helping hand to our organisation. It has also been instrumental in taking our commercial work further afield.

I am enjoying trying new things and seeing projects through from start to finish while working with some crazy

folk both in and out of the office.

In my 10 years with Desert Channels, we have faced many hurdles but we continue to build strong relationships

with land managers. We all walk the same land and I value their commitment to the future of our natural resources and production industries.

It was exciting to see some long-term projects come to completion and to find our stride in new technologies

such as Cloud Computing. These bring a lot of benefit to the organisation helping us run more efficiently.

Bu

siness team

*Fulcrum is an app for Android and IOS

devices used for recording locations and

sightings of weeds and feral animals.

Working in Finance can be very demanding and challenging at times. Our business is go go go and never seems to

stop evolving. I really enjoy working for Desert Channels Group and I am always gaining new skills. We have had a year of so many changes but most of us are still here and ready for the next challenge.

The past year has been a test of resilience, recovery and resolve for this organisation. Fortunately, our inability to

accept the status quo has ensured that each day has been embraced with the right attitude. Taking risks and backing the team is a leap of faith, so jump ... who knows what’s possible if you don’t let fear make the decision.

I love that we are venturing into uncharted waters, having a go and taking a risk. A changed role in the organisation

keeps me on my toes and I get to learn more about the different roles people play.

With not an idle moment, we are always moving forward to bigger and better things. The Financial Team have had

to evolve and change, creating a few headaches but also many triumphs along the way. It is a constant learning curve here at DCG and with that comes the opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

Leanne Kohler Brittany Wakefield

Shelleagh Hunt Roelie Hartwig

Jeff Poole Jade Fraser

Emma Elliot Kylie Dalzell

32 33

It could be said we are on the pigs back! With the successful removal of so many feral pigs and completing our Federally

funded Caring for Our Country Pigs Might Fly 1 and 2 projects, as well as the successful water sampling (and finding numerous different species of animals during my travels), I am as happy as a pig in mud.

Since commencing with DCG in 2012 I have learnt so much about NRM and about commercial

consulting. I have had many firsts this year and my highlight was our innovations field day at Sesbania, it was my first time on a cattle property, swagging under a million stars and riding an ATV. It’s very exciting to be a part of a progressive organisation that looks to the future with innovative ideas and practical solutions and that places great value in caring for people, their livelihoods and future generations.

I have enjoyed working with the various Landcare groups and individuals to support them in their

passion to see project ideas come to fruition. I met so many people around the region this year and talking to them has revealed some great project ideas. I am glad to have been able to support them obtain funding to undertake these. I particularly enjoyed working on the Junior Landcare program with the production of the activity booklets and running the short film competition.

The water sampling and ground truthing of many springs around the region has been quite a triumph. This

has built our knowledge and data so we can monitor any future natural or man-made changes. I have enjoyed the relationships I have built with landholders in the process.

Despite moving to Bourke, I have been able to continue to work remotely with Desert Channels due to our

communications being so well set up. We have been enthusiastic and creative in adopting new ideas and technology, including the Cloud and Google+. It’s always a buzz to video conference with my Longreach mates - whilst I sit in my office on a property out the back of Bourke!

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” and there has been quite a lot of it over the year despite the long hours

and challenges along the way! We have produced more than 70 films at Desert Channels Digital. The highlight was travelling around the Lake Eyre Basin - 20 days, 8,000 kilometres 14 interviews, camping under the stars and so much assistance from people along the way.

Teach an old dog new tricks? Of course you can. I am enjoying keeping up with technology, the roll out of

Fulcrum and seeing the completion of Pristine Waterways. Add to that the great people I work with and I am one happy camper.

There have been many advances in cacti control including having them declared WoNS, increased

activity to identify infestations and undertake control and progress with biocontrol agents, which may reduce the threat of several cacti growing in Western Queensland.

Cloud computing has made our data transfer so efficient and easy. Information gathered in the

field, especially photos, are so easily collated and shared. It has also been fun collecting this data, seeing new parts of the region and learning about the different riverine systems.

‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ - it’s the story of the Desert Channels Foundation.

We have made many single steps over the past few years, not journeying far, but we have completed the draft prospectus and the outlining of 11 proposed projects, as well as receiving two significant donations.

On

grou

nd

team

Com

mercial team

Helen Cross Leigh Deutscher

Peter Spence Hayley Glover

Mark Kleinschmidt

Christine O’BrienMike Chuk

Peter Kleinschmidt

Alun HoggettSue Akers

34 35

Ou

r board

Face to face meetings Teleconferences

Peter Douglas

Leonie Nunn

Errol Entriken

Gerry Fogarty

Doug Humann

Casey Stringfellow

Attended AttendedDid not attend

Did not attend

The dedication, enthusiasm, integrity and loyalty of the staff has not diminished, even with the challenges

this past year has brought. Regional residents have shown great interest and action in the fight against weeds, highlighting that to improve productivity the weeds need to go. I am very proud and humbled at the same time to say I worked with Desert Channels.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going - even with the cutbacks, the drought, low cattle prices - DCG has

been able to maintain staff. This is a huge achievement and a big thanks to Leanne and staff. Despite the challenges they have still been able to sustain large amounts of ground work as well as hosting field days and events.

They say a good man is hard to find but we have managed to find another excellent chair in Bruce

Scott. DCG is going from strength to strength, despite challenges. This is due to the leadership of Leanne and the dedication of the team.

Through the dedication and loyalty of the staff, DCG has persevered under challenging circumstances,

transitioning to a commercial enterprise and forging ahead as an organisation. We now function as a paperless board and are ready to take on the next period ahead.

DCG continued to provide what our stakeholders need: authentic and accurate information and advice. We did

this through our dedicated staff who despite shrinking funding and periods of uncertainty, stuck together and drew on the spirit and leadership of Leanne Kohler and Peter Douglas.

It is great to see that despite reduced funding, DCQ is still recognised by government as one of the best Natural

Resource Management groups. This was evident at the recent Lake Eyre Basin conference. DC Solutions continues to grow in strength and confidence by providing great commercial support to DCQ.

Errol Entriken

Doug Humann Casey Stringfellow

Peter Douglas Chair

Leonie Nunn Treasurer

Gerry Fogarty

Meetin

g atten

dance

36 37

FinancialsFinancialsFinancials

38 39

Finan

cial snap

shot

A comprehensive financial report can be viewed online at: www.dcq.org.au/financials-2013

Highlights

• Desert Channels Group has had a successful year in providing funding grants to landholders & small community groups within our Region.

• Funding in the vicinity of $1.1 million has been dispersed for natural resource management projects & onground activities including prickly acacia & other weed control, soil erosion & fencing projects, feral animal control & numerous cactus & ground cover projects.

• For further highlights for On Ground activities refer back to “Info Graphics” of the Annual Report to see what Desert Channels Group has achieved.

Expense & Funding at a Glance $4.68 million

DISCLOSURE: This Desert Channels Group financial snapshot is based on unaudited accounts at time of printing.

Note: This graph represents expenses from our Detailed Profit & Loss Statement, less depreciation, plus capital expenditure. Unexpended grant funds as at 30th June 2013 have been carried forward into the 2013/2014 Financial Year.

Highlights

• This year is the fifth and final year of the Caring for Our Country – Regional Investment Strategy with the Federal Government. During this five year period, Grant Funding of approximately $6.17 million has been received and expended on numerous NRM projects benefiting the Desert Channels Region.

• Desert Channels Group for 2012/2013 has also received continued support through the Q2 Coast & Country Program by Queensland Government for the past five years.

• 2013 sees the completion of a number of State & Federal Projects. These include Pigs Might Fly 1 & 2, Recording Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Green Army, Carbon Farming Initiative Communications Program, Landcare Facilitators Initiative (July 2010 to June 2013), Wild River Pest & Weed Management Program, and the Surat & Galilee Basin Water Quality Monitoring Program.

• DC Solutions, our commercial arm, transitioned during 2013 to DC Solutions Ltd, and is now a separate entity. While it is still under the umbrella of the Desert Channels Group, its financials are not included on these pages. As a result of another strong year of growth, DC Solutions was able to donate $200,000 to the Desert Channels Foundation. This donation is captured in the Foundation’s component of the financials.

Income & Funding at a Glance $4.78 million

Note: This graph includes grant revenue and other income such as interest, saleable items, membership fees, sponsorship, donations and commercial services.

2012/2013

AG - Australian Government QG - Queensland Government

25%  

3%  

12%  

4%  1%  

24%  

24%  

7%  Biodiversity  

Community  Engagement  

Core  Costs  

Landcare  

Monitoring  and  Evalua>on  Sustainable  Farm  Prac>ces  Water  Assets/Quality  &  Coal  Seam  Gas  Other  Costs  

32%  

10%  

17%  

21%  

4%  

16%  

Regional  Investment  Strategy  -­‐  AG  

Other  AG  Funding  

Q2  Coast  &  Country  Regional  Investment  Strategy  -­‐  QG  

Other  QG  Funding  

Founda>on  

Other  Income  

40 41

Funding income over the last five years has seen a modest increase.

This is due predominantly to seeking funding through other sources.

While the Federal Regional Investment Strategy money and the State Q2 Coast and Country dollar value has remained the same, you will see it represents a diminishing portion of our total income.

There has also been a significant drop for the year ahead.

$2.5

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Q2 Coast & Country

Other Queensland Government funding

Regional Investment Strategy

Other Australian Government funding

$4

$3.5

$3

$2.5

$2

$1.5

$1

$1,6

00,0

00

$775

,000

$890

,000

$775

,000

$775

,000

$775

,000

$950

,000

$368

,897

$747

,529

$390

,600

$653

,174

$23,

885

$173

,444

$444

,400

$15,

000

$414

,750

$1,5

42,9

98

$1,5

43,0

00

$1,5

43,0

00

$1,5

43,0

00

$2

$1.5

$1

$.5

08/09 08/0909/10 09/1010/11 10/1111/12 11/1212/13 12/13 13/14

2008-2013

Finan

cial snap

shot

$2.9

19,7

50

$2.9

35

’842

$2.9

95

’05

9

$3

.45

6,1

29

$3

.63

6,8

99

$2.3

68

,00

0

Money Received

Forecast Income

Total Income over the last 5 years

42 43

Cover: The Fishing Hole - Debra ScottInside: Tempest- Linda Elliottp4: Aurora - Josh Finley-Strongp7: Beauty of Sisters- Wendy Coadp10: Lake Machatti - Roslyn Jamiesonp15: Dressed to Impress - Henry Cookp16: Yesteryards- Debra Scottp20: Western Wings - Josh Finley-Strong p22: Time Travel - Linda Elliottp23: Spiny Tail Gecko - Henry Cookp24: Waiting for the Mob - Lorraine Kathp37: Morning Glory - Debra Scottp38: Sunrise Over the Diamantina - Stan Paczkowskip44: Desert Reflections - Debra Scottp46 Outback Milkyway - Lorraine Kath

All other images from the DCG Image library.

Ph

oto credits

Images used with permission from the Channel Country Photographic Competition, 2013.

Throughout this project we adhered to the Desert Channels best practices to improve water quality and to reduce soil erosion through improved ground cover. These practices are now taken into consideration whenever any land/stock management decisions are made.

44 45

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISERS

Sustainability People

NACC

Ackn

owledgem

ents

The Desert Channels Group would like to thank our funders and partners and the people of the region for their continued support.

I would highly recommend DCQ to my neighbour as it is great way to achieve rehabilitation to areas on your property that are in such desperate need of help and by being able to get much needed financial help is marvellous. DCQ also help with education of land management so that we can improve our properties for the future generation.

46 47