REWEAVERS’ AWARDS HONOUR ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS

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.

Mayor Jim Simmons, Bill Noonan, Phil Redpath, Bob Friederich  Photo: J Edwards

REWEAVERS OF THE TAPESTRY AWARDS 2017

The 2017 ReWeavers of the Tapestry Awards will be presented at a dinner in Grafton on Friday June 2.  These awards are presented annually on the Friday evening closest to World Environment Day. This year is the tenth awards presentation.  Information on past ReWeavers' Awards

The ReWeavers awards are hosted by three Clarence Valley based environment groups - the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition, the Clarence Valley Branch of the National Parks Association and the Clarence Environment Centre.

The Tapestry is a metaphor for the Earth and the ReWeavers are people who have been restoring its torn threads.

Following the dinner three people will be honoured for the major contribution each has made to the welfare of the Earth. The stories of each of these ReWeavers’ contributions  to the environment will be followed by the presentation of the award certificates on which is written the philosophy of the event.

This reads: “Individual Australians, inspired by a sense of wholeness, motivated by love and concern, sustained by perseverance and guided by knowledge, have greatly enhanced the tapestry of our Earth Community by reweaving green threads of sustainability back into its living fabric.”

The ReWeavers’ names are also embroidered on a banner beside an image from the natural world.

The three people being honoured this year are Bill Noonan and Phil Redpath of Grafton and Bob Friederich of Canberra (formerly of Grafton).  The certificates will be presented by the Clarence Valley Mayor, Councillor Jim Simmons.

Everyone is welcome.  Those attending are encouraged to bring food to share.

If you would like to attend, please indicate your interest to Stan Mussared on 66449309 or by email to the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition  ( clarencevcc@gmail.com )

REWEAVERS AWARDS HONOUR THREE CLARENCE VALLEY WOMEN

 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.

RE-WEAVERS AWARDS RE-COMMENCE

After a break of several years, the CVCC has re-started the annual Re-Weavers' Awards.  The Re-Weavers are "individual Australians who have greatly enhanced the tapestry of our Earth Community by re-weaving green threads of sustainability back into its living fabric."

 This years' Re-Weavers are Graeme Payne of Grafton, Dianne Roberts of Armidale and Ashley Love of Coffs Harbour.

This is the seventh year of the awards which will be presented at a dinner at the Masonic Centre in Bacon Street in Grafton on Friday June 6. The evening commences at 6 p.m. with those attending bringing food to share. If you wish to attend, please RSVP Stan (66427640).