Transforming the Land: the story of "Lanark"

Just south of Hamilton at Branxholme, John Fenton with his wife Cicely and family has spent nearly 50 years transforming his property Lanark 'from three windswept paddocks to the complex ecosystem it is today'.

It wasn't easy.

'When I was reinstating wetlands, for example, the government was funding the draining of wetlands' said John.

Along the way there have public benefits urban and rural individuals working together to reinstate all the water bodies for the birds that had 'all but disappeared' and private rewards - an Honorary Doctorate in Architecture (Landscape Architecture RMIT).

John has 'long advocated a process that allows the experience and expertise that is gained through on ground practice by individuals and groups on the land to be made available and accessible'.

With support from Land & Water Australias Community Fellowship and working with RMIT and a local author, John will publish the story of Lanark in a multi-media format for local communities or individuals keen to pursue similar goals.