What is Gecko? | Organisational Structure | About Gecko Mural
Gecko – Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council Association Incorporated was founded in 1989 when representatives of six local conservation groups joined together.
They envisioned the organisation working for the care, protection and conservation of the natural environment and the improvement of the built environment so that it would become more ecologically sustainable.
Gecko’s Vision
A vibrant Gold Coast community where people and animals, plants, water, air and earth all form a healthy, harmonious system.
Gecko’s Mission Statement:
To actively promote, conserve and restore the natural environment and improve the sustainability of the built environment of the Gold Coast region in partnership with our member groups and the wider community.
Aims and Objectives
The objects for which the organisation is established aim:
- To promote the conservation, protection and restoration of our world’s environment along sound ecological principles
- To protect and preserve ecological sustainability and encourage this as a goal for all facets of society
- To educate and inform all sections of our community in the values of conservation, preservation and protection of our environment
- To encourage and promote personal, public and government care of the environment
- To advocate by any peaceful means, any individual group, company of government to cease exploitative ecologically unsafe practices and to urgently seek, then implement alternatives
- To support, cooperate and affiliate with organisations engaged in activities that support the Associations aims.
Gecko began its life in a small room loaned by the Currumbin Sanctuary and remained there until 1994, when the members moved across the road to an old shed and renovated it to house an office and library.
In 1996, Gecko had the opportunity to buy the second Currumbin State School building on the banks of Currumbin Estuary. Gecko House was born! This gave members a meeting hall and an office/library, which served it well.
In 2001, Centenary of Federation grant money became available and an ambitious renovation resulted in the Gecko House of today.
Gecko House
Gecko House now has an office, library, kitchen and guest lounge downstairs. Upstairs is the Hall, which is available for hire, as well as the administration office for Gecko Regen. Gecko operates with members, staff, and volunteers all working together for the same ends, but through a variety of different means and activities.
Management
A Management Committee, elected at the AGM, oversees Gecko’s activities. A number of Sub-Committees assist. The Management Committee meets monthly but are in regular email contact.
Meetings
Gecko members and friends gather on the second Wednesday of each month (General Meeting) to discuss environmental issues of interest and to decide what actions we wish to take. This is a social occasion as well.
On the fourth Wednesday of the month, we present a guest speaker on varied and interesting topics.
Another meeting is held on the first Saturday of the month when community groups from around the city come together to discuss issues of mutual concern. Some 10-20 smaller groups belong to this Meeting of Member Groups and work very effectively together with Gecko volunteers’ support to resolve local issues.
Businesses
Gecko currently has two businesses – Gecko Regen and GeckoEd.
Gecko Regen is a specialist revegetation firm using locally sourced native species. Gecko Regen provides environmental services which include natural area regeneration, revegetation and environmental consultancy. They also operate a native plant nursery growing local provenance native plants.
Gecko Regen was established in 1998 and is a professionally managed company, wholly owned by Gecko – Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council Assoc. Inc.. Gecko Regen employs around 20 local staff. Some profits from its commercial activities assist Gecko to support its community environmental initiatives. Gecko Regen was launched as a result of a relationship developed by Gecko member,John Palmer OAM and Gold Coast City Council after it was identified that the City’s landfill sites were in desperate need of revegetation work. The company uses only paid staff to run its operations, however, as with most companies, its board of directors are unpaid. Gecko Regen Pty Ltd is an incorporated company.
GeckoEd consist of a team of educators, delivering quality environmental education to students and the general public.
Gecko activities also include:
- Responding to the public. Gecko volunteers and staff respond to public queries and concerns about issues in the Gold Coast’s environment. Our aim is to empower and support people where possible.
- Campaigns. Some issues start off small but can soon become major campaigns. These are managed by Gecko’s volunteer campaigns team, which meets every 2 weeks. Issues may include vegetation protection, protection of parklands (such as Macintosh Island Park) and National Parks (such as Springbrook), sustainable transport, water supply, wastewater management, waste management. Some more well-known campaigns that Gecko has coordinated in the past include “Save Our Spit”, “Save Miami Bushland”, and “No Way Cableway”.
- Events. Gecko hosts an annual World Environment Day festival each June. Now called the Green Day Out, the event has previously been awarded the Gold Coast’s Community Event of the Year. Clean Up Australia Day is co-ordinated by Gecko each year for which we have received national recognition and award. We usually also conduct activities in Biodiversity Month (September), including those relating to whale protection. Every December, Gecko holds an awards night to recognize the many individuals and organisations which contribute to maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty of the Gold Coast.
- Representation. Gecko is represented by volunteers on many government committees and participates in many public consultation processes, such as Gold Coast WaterFutures, SEQ Catchments, Queensland Water and Land Carers, Natural Resource Management for South East Queensland (NRMSEQ), input to the Koala Conservation Plan, and representation on the World Heritage Advisory Committee for the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia (CERRA).
- Gecko’s Revegetation Projects. As well as the work done by Gecko Regen, Gecko conducts a range of revegetation, beach and bushcare activities, mainly in Tarrabora Reserve, Elanora Wetlands and Nicoll Scrub
- Gecko’s Walk with Wildlife (WwW). WwW are dedicated to conducting surveys of birds, vegetation and other wildlife in certain dedicated areas, mainly in the Tallebudgera and Currumbin Regions. These surveys are recorded in binders held in Gecko’s library. We also combine these surveys with easy walks that most people would have the capacity to walk with ease. Although, we do have the occasional bushwalk that can be strenuous.
Gecko has grown from a small group to an effective organisation grappling with the many issues confronting our City and its environment as the population continues to grow at a rapid rate. It can only continue its work with the commitment and involvement of its members, staff, volunteers, donors and supporters.
You will find much more information about these and other Gecko activities in the many sections of our website. Enjoy the ride!
