The tenth
annual ReWeavers Awards dinner was held in Grafton on June 2 in the lead up to
World Environment Day. These awards
recognise the valuable contribution individuals have made to environmental
protection over many years.
This
year’s recipients were Bill Noonan and Phil Redpath of Grafton and Bob
Friederich of Canberra (formerly of Grafton).
Bill
Noonan joined the newly-formed Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition (CVCC) in
1988 and was very active in the successful campaign to prevent the
establishment of a chemical pulp mill on the Clarence River. He later became CVCC president, a position he
held for 16 years. Bill has participated in many environmental campaigns and
has been an articulate advocate for the natural environment over many years.
As an
ecologist working for the NSW Government, Phil Redpath achieved large wins for
conservation and improved the understanding of several threatened species and
vegetation communities. Along with botanist
John Benson, he redefined our understanding of the state of the Australian bush
at the time of colonisation, fire ecology and the Aboriginal use of fire.
As an
officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service from 1979, Bob Friederich made
a major contribution to the establishment of the service in this area during a
period of great change and increasing environmental awareness. As a planning
co-ordinator and later as Manager of Grafton District, Bob served for 21 years
on the North Coast before transferring to the Northern Tablelands as Regional
Manager for five years.
The
ReWeavers Certificates were present by Clarence Valley Mayor, Councillor Jim
Simmons.
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| Mayor Jim Simmons, Bill Noonan, Phil Redpath, Bob Friederich Photo: J Edwards |
