Waterview Heights resident Stan Mussared recently
received the prestigious Alan and Beryl Strom Volunteer Occasional Award from
the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA).
Only made occasionally, this award recognises outstanding conservation
efforts and outcomes that have benefited both the NPA and the wider community.
While the
award was announced at the NPA’s annual dinner in Sydney early in November, the
formal presentation was made to Stan by Peter Morgan, on behalf of State
President Ann Dickson, at the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition’s lunch
last week.
In
making the presentation Peter Morgan detailed Stan’s achievements as a
conservationist and environmental educator over more than forty years. Stan was
a founding member of the Clarence Valley Branch of the NPA and was active in
the successful campaign to save the Washpool rainforest which led to its
establishment as a national park. In
1988 when Daishowa International proposed a chemical pulp mill in the Clarence
Valley, Stan played an important role in the community campaign which was led
by the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition (CVCC). He is currently President of the CVCC, a
position he has held for some years.
An important
contribution during his teaching career at Grafton High was his involvement with
the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Other
contributions over many years include membership of a National Parks Advisory
Committee and various local government committees including Clarence Council’s
Climate Change Community Advisory Committee.
As an
environmental educator Stan has promoted the important Earth Charter which
provides guidance on ethics and sustainability; he has written for the CVCC’s
“Voices for the Earth” column in The Daily Examiner, and has been a keen
promoter of the annual “Earth Hour” in the Clarence.
Stan
knows the power of the positive story and the importance of recognising those
who work to enhance the natural environment.
In 2006 he established the annual Re-Weavers of the Tapestry Awards
which celebrate the work of conservationists who have re-woven “green threads
of sustainability” back into the living fabric of the Earth Community.
In
praising Stan’s enormous contribution to the National Parks Association and the
local environment, Peter paid tribute to the support from Magda, his wife of 55
years. Her support has made it possible for him to achieve so much.
Another
facet of their partnership has been their work in re-vegetating their property.
When the Mussareds moved there, the only significant tree was a large Forest
Redgum. Now they have an expanding
forest which provides attractive habitat for a variety of native species. They are particularly delighted by the regular
visits of koalas to their block.
The Alan
and Beryl Strom Award, the most prestigious award granted by the National Parks
Association, is a truly fitting recognition of the remarkable work for the
environment by Stan Mussared.
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| Peter Morgan, Stan Mussared, Magda Mussared |
