So dedicated is she to her volunteer work with Landcare, she colours her hair in the rainbow colours of the organisation's logo.

This week she was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her 17 years' invaluable service to the community and Landcare.

Estelle and husband Ken moved to Port Macquarie in May 1998 and soon after she put her hand up to help out at Friends of Kooloonbung, Port Macquarie Primary school and Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Winery.

In 2002, she joined Port Macquarie Landcare and by February the following year she started propagating seeds on her balcony.

Starting with 20 species, she ended up with 50 boxes and by the end of the year had 30 species and more than 4000 seedlings.

It was the beginning of the Landcare Nursery which was first housed in the National Parks and Wildlife greenhouse by 2004, thanks to Estelle's negotiating skills.

The first of many awards came her way that year in the from of A Rotary Pride of Workmanship certificate.

Projects at Lighthouse Beach, Shelley Beach, Blair Reserve and Rushcutter Reserve were soon underway and Estelle also undertook a course in horticulture at North Coast TAFE in 2005.

Port Primary, St Paul's, St Joseph's and Port Macquarie High schools also joined the growing throng of those in Estelle's volunteer group.

In 2006, 1500 plants regenerated Pappinbarra, Stewarts River, Bonny Hills, Blair Reserve and Shelly Beach projects.

In subsequent years the Landcare army of volunteers continued to grow as more projects were put into action and Estelle became the publicity officer and later president of Landcare.

Seventeen years since she propagated those first seeds there are now 120 plant species being propagated and more than 20 actively managed Landcare sites and two significant riparian corridors as part of the Envirotrust project.

The number of volunteer hours in the last 12 months has exceeded 18,000 which is a value to the community of more than $600,000.

All the volunteers appreciate Estelle's work to keep Landcare and the environment growing and join with the native fauna that now have a healthy environment in which to thrive.

And from the humble woman herself: "It was an honour to have my work recognised by my group, but of course Landcare is a team effort and we all contribute in a meaningful way to the restoration of our bushland".