Jim and Heather Phillipson of EcoGipps

More than a decade ago, the Phillipson family from the Maffra region of Gippsland, purchased a couple of properties in the Avon wilderness region. They began restoring and connecting these landscapes to allow the free movement of plants and animals and, in doing so, became even more committed to private land conservation as a force for good.

EcoGipps is now transforming into a not-for-profit organisation to help individuals, groups and families identify, purchase and protect properties and find innovative ways of sharing them with the community.

Jim and Heather’s work is also facilitated by the Rendere Trust. Rendere is an invite-only Trust that provides strategic advice and core funding to strengthen organisational structures and build sustainability. They engage in a process of deep listening and learning with environmental organisations and leaders, targeting their resources to areas where they will have the greatest impact.

In some cases, the Trust leads new ventures, providing administration, communications and office support to get initiatives off the ground.