2022 Living Sustainably Awards
Published on 06 December 2022
The 2022 Living Sustainably Awards were presented at the Grafton Council Chambers last Friday (02 Dec).
The winners are:
- Community/Group: Foresthaven
- Business: Troy Billin (fisherman)
- Individual: Barbara Linley/Michelle Philips
- Education/Institute: Jacaranda Pre-School
- Our Backyard: Bob Kerhsaw
More info on the winners and nominees below.
See winners from previous years here
There was also a special presentation this year to CVC Coordinator Waste and Sustainability, Ken Wilson, for Outstanding Sustainable Initiatives and Leadership. Ken, who has worked for Council over the past 40 years, has been at the forefront of innovation, especially in the waste, climate change and sustainability fields.
Ken’s vision and foresight in the waste management area saw the development of the Grafton Regional Landfill, which is still the envy of many local government areas that would love to have a large, modern landfill with around 50 years of life remaining.
"Ken always has many jobs on the go, yet he always has time for his colleagues," said CVC Environmental Officer, Suzanne Lynch, who coordinates the Living Sustainability Awards.
"From landfill and sustainability projects, to cemeteries and education, he is always there when you need him. His patience is old school but his management technique is contemporary and compassionate."
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions and achievements which enhance environmental, economic and social sustainability.
The following winners were presented by Deputy Mayor and Climate Change Advisory Committee Chairman, Greg Clancy, and Climate Change Advisory Committee representative Claire Aman:
Community/Group - Winner: Eshana Bragg and Peter Cuming representing Foresthaven.
A truly remarkable labour of love over 30 years to regenerate 15 acres of ancient rainforest on Maclean hill, encompassing the concept of living sustainably, community engagement, community living and the development of a self sufficient eco-hamlet.
Community/Group - Highly Commended: Ursula Tunks representing Mend and Make Do Crew Inc.
Since establishing a Facebook group in 2014 and social enterprise in 2016, the Mend and Make Do Crew have continued to meet the demands of homelessness and emergency relief organisations across the Northern Rivers, providing more than 11,000 emergency relief kits, including 5,569 caring kits for flood affected people in our region.
Community/Group - Highly Commended: Mark Blackadder representing Jacaranda Festival Committee.
This festival celebrates the magical combination of the natural elements of blossoming trees and the imagination of a town, to form something which has shaped the community’s identity for the past seven decades.
Business - Winner: Troy Billin (absent)
A recognised OceanWatch Master Fisherman, Troy harvests seafood respecting the aspects of responsible and sustainable fishing incorporated in the Master Fisherman Program including quality assurance, bycatch reduction devices and techniques, animal welfare and threatened species management. Via an online trading platform, he provides seafood directly to clients and educates customers about sustainable fishing methods. Troy sits on the NSW Fisheries Research Advisory Committee and NSW Professional Fishers Association Board.
Business - Highly Commended: Cherie Goodwin representing Serco.
Building future pathways and employment opportunities in the waste management industry is part of the Clarence Correctional Centre’s admirable goal of a zero waste economy. Inmates recycle or repurpose more than 45 tonnes of materials at the centre each month, creating an impressive diversion from landfill. Recently Serco assisted the Mend and Make Do Crew with flood assistance cleaning kits.
Individual - Winner (joint): Barbara Linley and Michelle Philip.
Barbara Linley: As the emu coordinator of the Lions Club of Clarence, Barbara was proactive in the campaign to reduce the speed limit on Broom’s Head Road from 100kph to 80kph, effectively improving safety for both emus and motorists. Barbara was announced 2022 Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year in recognition for her outstanding community contributions.
Michelle Philip: Adopting an eco-friendly mindset, Michelle provides an inspiring example of every day sustainable living – she has created an energy and water efficient family home, productive organic gardens, orchards and habitat. She has also created a sustainable business upcycling discarded fabric into her unique brand Gecko’s New Tail, diverting tonnes of fabric from landfill.
Individual - Highly Commended: Karen Ford.
Karen is putting her Cert 11 in Conservation and Land Management to good use and voluntarily propagating native species for regeneration on private lands affected by the devastating bush fires of 2019/20. She also assists NPWS and Clarence Conservation Coalition by providing seedlings for Everlasting Swamp, Cowan’s Pond, Susan Island and Lawrence Wetlands.
Education/Institution - Winner: Emma Ford representing Jacaranda Pre-School.
For several years the pre-school has continually strived to reduce its footprint, and has installed rooftop solar panels, a rainwater tank, worm farm and compost bins. A Junior Landcare Sustainability Schools Grant provided a unique opportunity to refine and expand current practices and programs, including their garden program which includes a native beehive for pollinating and chickens for fertilising the vegie gardens.
Our Backyard - Winner: Bob Kershaw.
Bob Kershaw makes all of his life choices through a green filter, whether it be work, leisure, energy use, clothing choices, household purchases or personal health. Bob displays courage, sincerity, humility, persistence, dependability, generosity and patience as he strives for greenness. A familiar face at the Yamba Farmers Markets, this is Bob’s third Living Sustainably Award.