On
Friday June 3 the Clarence Valley’s contribution to World Environment Day (June
5) was held in Grafton. Nearly 50 people
attended the ninth annual ReWeavers Dinner in which three people – Leonie Blain
and Sharon Lehman of Grafton and Helen Tyas Tunggal of Angourie – were honoured
for their outstanding contributions to our Earth Community.
Leonie’s
early work included the Daishowa pulp mill and Regional Water Supply
campaigns. More recently she has been
involved in the unconventional gas-mining campaign and climate change
issues. Leonie was a foundation member
of the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition and has been secretary since
1991. One spokesman stated, “This
group’s existence would have terminated long ago except for Leonie’s
efforts.” She is also an active member
of many local committees such as Council’s Climate Change Community Advisory
Committee.
Sharon
came to the Clarence 22 years ago and has been very much involved in searching
for ways to make environmental education and communication more effective. She has a very strong sense of wholeness and
the social aspect of our Earth Community is very important to her. Three major projects she has initiated are
Waste Not Want Not, Clarence Valley Conservation in Action and Hands on
Nature. Her work illustrates many
aspects of the Earth Charter, one of the world’s great Earth Community
documents.
Helen as
principal of Harwood Island Public School led the development of the school as
a centre of excellence in environmental education. Over the past 25 years Helen has continued to
refine the Learnscapes Planning and Design Process, developed the Clarence
Water ambassador education program, written the Kidsgrow school gardening
resources and received the 2007 NSW Environmental Educator of the Year
award. She has been a long-serving
member of local environment groups including Valley Watch and Angourie
Coastcare.
The
ReWeavers Certificates were presented by Alan Jeffery, Regional Manager, North
Coast NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
 |
| Alan Jeffrey, Helen Tyas Tunggal, Leonie Blain, Sharon Lehman. |
