Winners of the ACT Landcare Awards

The winners of the ACT Landcare Awards were announced at a breakfast ceremony on the 10th September 2009.

"It was a real pleasure for me to coordinate the awards as it is a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand the variety of environmental projects across the region", says Esther Duffy, ACT Landcare Coordinator.

"The winners ranged from 18 to 91 years of age, from individuals to parkcare groups as well as Craft ACT."

The winners of each category are:

Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award

Maryke Booth
Maryke Booth has generously dedicated her time, knowledge, skills, experience and enthusiasm to landcare in the ACT region for more than nine years.

Australian Government Landcare NRM Region Award

ACT Natural Resource Management Council
The ACT Natural Resource Management Council is working to build strong partnerships with the landcare community in the ACT and surrounding region.

Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award

Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative ACT (AuSSI)
AuSSI is a partnership between the Australian Government and States and Territories that supports schools to become more ecologically sustainable. The ACT chapter is the most successful AuSSI scheme in the country, with some 100 schools involved.

Primary Producer Award

Pialligo Apples
An orchard now run organically, with sustainable, commercial production of fruit. Full organic status was achieved in 1994 after an extensive transition phase.

Westpac Education Award

Lanyon High School
For a number of years the school has raised awareness, knowledge and understanding of landcare amongst its students and the local community.

Landcare Indigenous Award

Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation
The Billabong Aboriginal Development Corporation was established in 1998 to provide community support and development opportunities for the ACT Indigenous community.

Landcare Community Group Award

Farrer Ridge Parkcare Group
A group of volunteers who meet regularly to undertake conservation activities on Farrer Ridge. The volunteers have been work on the ridge since the Landcare movement began in 1989.

Highly commended:Rabbit Warren Mapping
The Friends of Mt Majura, Mt Ainslie Weeders, Watson Woodlands Working Group have combined their energy and expertise to carry out an extensive rabbit warren mapping project in their area.

Young Landcare Leader Award

Nicholas Lever
Nicholas Lever has been instrumental in organising environmental initiatives within his school and was also a key person involved in organising Canberra’s first sustainable careers expo.

Urban Landcare Award

Craft ACT
A group of artists, a craft and design gallery, national park rangers and a volunteer environment group who are creating art inspired by historic settlers’ cottages and the natural beauty of the Namadgi National Park.

The Quiet Achiever Award

Vic Grosvenor, Cooleman Ridge Parkcare Group (joint winners)
Vic Grosvenor is a sprightly 91-year-old who, as of last July, had propagated 104,170 native trees and shrubs. These plants have been used in re-vegetation works throughout the ACT.
The Cooleman Ridge Parkcare Group has been in existence since 1991 with members of the group meeting every Friday to work on Cooleman Ridge, which divides Tuggeranong Valley and Weston Creek.

The Environment Community Support Award

Tanya Rucosky Noakes
Waterwatch Facilitator for the ACT, Tanya Rucosky Noakes plays a key role in the natural environment, working within the ACT Government while being a keen supporter of the community.

Landcare People’s Choice Award

The winner of the People's Choice Award was tied between KinderARTgarden - Reid Preschool and Lanyon High School.

Congratulations to all the winners. Further details of the winners and nominees can be found on the Landcare Heroes website at http://www.act.landcareheroes.com/.