40th Anniversary Working group

Appeal40th Anniversary Fundraising Appeal

As we gear up for AABR’s 40th year, we’re running a special 40th Anniversary Appeal to help bring the full program to life. Every contribution goes straight toward the events and activities planned for 2026, the national forum, regional field days, Walks, Talks & Gawks, webinars, storytelling projects and community celebrations.

If AABR has supported your learning, shaped your practice or simply given you a sense of belonging in the bush regen community, please consider contributing. Even a small amount  helps us create a milestone year that celebrates our shared history and strengthens the future of ecological restoration.

Your contribution whilst greatly appreciated  is not tax-deducible as AABR does not have DGR status…yet

What’s planned?

AABR at 40: Shape Our Year of Celebration Survey

Next year AABR hits the big 4–0 and we’re planning a year worth remembering. We’ve got loads of ideas… maybe too many. Help us choose the activities that matter most to you and the wider bush regen community.

Only four quick questions, and a couple of minutes of neural processing.

The 40th Anniversary will be marked with a year-long program of events and activities, including:

  • National Forum – bringing together leaders, practitioners and partners

  • Workshops & Field Days – showcasing best practice bush regeneration across regions

  • Webinars – lunchtime learning and restoration stories

  • Storytelling Campaign – “Then & Now” snapshots of AABR’s impact

  •  State Forums – Victoria 8 May, Fitzroy Town Hall

  • Community celebrations throughout 2026

  • AABR Fest 2026 – Johns River, NSW

About the Working Group

Be part of AABR’s 40th! Register your interest to join the coordinating crew

In 2026, AABR  turns 40. That’s four decades of dirt-under-the-fingernails conservation, professional bush regenerators, volunteers and landholders working together to restore Australia’s bush.

This milestone year deserves a big celebration and we want our members and friends to help shape it.

The 40th Anniversary Working Group will guide planning and coordination across the year. This is a volunteer team of members and supporters who can contribute time, skills and ideas to help make the anniversary meaningful, inspiring and well-organised.

Possible roles include:

  • Events – helping plan and run field days, workshops and the forum

  • Communications – sharing stories, drafting posts and promoting events

  • Partnerships – liaising with sponsors, allies and networks

  • History & Legacy – collecting and curating AABR’s past stories and archives

  • Volunteer Engagement – encouraging members to join in and support

  • Logistics & Admin – helping keep the wheels turning behind the scenes

You don’t need to be an expert,  just enthusiastic, reliable, and keen to contribute to AABR’s story.

Time Commitment

Flexible! Most roles involve just a few hours per month, with a little more time in the lead-up to major events.

How to Get Involved

If you’d like to help shape the celebrations, please fill in our short Expression of Interest form.

Register your interest here to join the working group

Together we’ll…

  • Celebrate AABR’s legacy of 40 years of regeneration

  • Highlight the impact of our community across Australia

  • Inspire and connect the next generation of bush regenerators

  • Do something amazing together and have fun!

AABR 40th Anniversary Working Group –Volunteer Role Descriptions

The 40th Anniversary Working Group will bring these celebrations to life. We’re looking for volunteers with a range of skills and enthusiasm to join the team.

Below are some of the key roles—though you don’t need to fit just one box!

  1. Events Coordinator(s)
  • Help plan and organise anniversary events (forum, field days, webinars, workshops).
  • Liaise with hosts, speakers, venues and partners.
  • Ensure events reflect AABR’s values and best practice in ecological restoration.
  1. Communications & Storytelling Lead
  • Work with AABR’s comms team to promote events and activities.
  • Draft short stories, member spotlights, and “then & now” features.
  • Contribute ideas for social media, e-news and RegenTV.
  1. Partnerships & Sponsorship Liaison
  • Approach allied organisations, sponsors and donors for collaboration.
  • Coordinate cross-promotion opportunities with Landcare, SERA, ANPC and others.
  • Help shape sponsor recognition and acknowledgements.
  1. History & Legacy Curator
  • Gather and share stories, photos and archives from AABR’s 40-year history.
  • Work with members and alumni to record oral histories.
  • Support the development of a legacy resource (timeline, publication or video).
  1. Volunteer & Member Engagement
  • Reach out to members to encourage participation in anniversary activities.
  • Coordinate opportunities for members to share their “AABR story”.
  • Help manage volunteers at events and online campaigns.
  1. Logistics & Admin Support
  • Assist with meeting scheduling, note-taking and follow-ups.
  • Track the anniversary event calendar and key deadlines.
  • Help keep everyone connected and on track.

Register your interest here to join the working group