A "WEIRD kid" who collected spiders on her New England property has gone on to win a national environmental award.

Somerton's Nell Chaffey has taken out Landcare's top honour for 2025, fending off 69 other finalists to receive the Women in Landcare award.

Born and raised in Moree on her parents' property in Gravesend, Ms Chaffey recalled a childhood spent outdoors, watching insects and plants flowering in the paddocks and riding her horse to help move stock.

"I was a weird kid," Ms Chaffey said.

"I used to collect spiders and all sorts of insects, then watch spiders lay their eggs overnight."

She turned her love of nature into a lifetime's hobby, inspiring children while working as a teacher at Gunnedah South Public School, Oxley High and other schools nearby.

Nell and her husband Wa

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