CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL'S LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS

 With all that is happening in the world it seems that “good news stories” are in short supply.  Despite the horrific wars, growing biodiversity loss, rapidly expanding climate change impacts, political chicanery and a range of other depressing issues, there are positive developments with individuals and groups working to improve outcomes in a wide range of areas both locally and further afield.  These contributions - even if just on a small scale - are important for the welfare of those individuals and groups as well as for society in general.  They are also beneficial in showing others what can be achieved by those who have the time, the energy and the commitment.

Clarence Valley Council has been playing an important part locally in recognising individuals and groups who are working to improve outcomes in the area of sustainability.  Its Living Sustainably Awards, introduced in 2011, recognise people and groups in our LGA who are making positive contributions to living sustainably.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 awards.

All Clarence residents, not-for-profit community groups, schools or businesses in the Clarence Council area eligible to nominate.  There are five categories - Individual, Community, Business, Education and Our Backyard.

Nomination for the awards can either be through a third party or by self-nomination.  Nomination forms are available on Council’s website or can be collected from Council offices in Grafton or Maclean.

One of the issues through the history of these awards has been the reluctance of people to nominate themselves.   That is unfortunate as self-nominees might feel less reluctance if they recognise that they are doing great work and would see the value of encouraging others to take a similar path.

For more details check Council's website .

Do you know anyone who could be nominated?

There are two important benefits from these awards.  The first is recognition of those who are making significant contributions to sustainable living.  The second, which is also very important, is showing others what can be done and hopefully encouraging them to make a positive contribution in their lives.

-        Leonie Blain

CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL'S LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS

This year was the eighth year of Clarence Valley Council's Living Sustainably Awards.  These awards recognise outstanding contributions or achievements which enhance environmental, social and economic sustainability.

The awards have two important functions.  As well as  recognising achievements, they show others in the community how some individuals and groups are developing lifestyles or methods or skills that look to meeting challenges of today and of the future.

The winners of these Awards were announced on Thursday August 9 at a ceremony at Council's Environmental Learning Facility (ELF).

Nominations for Living  Sustainably Awards

There were a total of nine nominees in the five categories. 

THE WINNERS WERE:

Community Group

Mend and Make Do

Business

J Notaras and Sons

Individual

Bob Kershaw

School

Dundurrabin Public School

Our Backyard

Stan and Magda Mussared

CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL'S LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS 2017

                                          MEDIA  RELEASE FROM CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL
                                                                       17th April 2017
                                 LIVING  SUSTAINABLY AWARDS NOW OPEN
 
Are you a resident or belong to an organisation that is contributing to a more sustainable Clarence Valley?

Through the Living Sustainably Awards, the Clarence Valley Council is keen to recognise the achievements of individuals, businesses and schools that have made significant contributions to living sustainably and provided an inspiration to others.

Nominations are now open, with four award categories for individuals, businesses, education and community groups who enhance environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Mayor Jim Simmons said council was looking for nominees who excelled in any aspect of sustainability such as those who reduced energy and water consumption, acknowledged the significance of local culture, provided sustainable recreation, environmental conservation, sustainable economic development, showed leadership within the community and developed innovative ideas.

Nominations are due by 4pm Monday, June 5, 2017, and will be judged by council’s climate change advisory committee. The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony during Local Government Week, July 30-August 6, 2017.

Nomination forms are available at www.clarence.nsw.gov.au, or can be collected from council offices at 2 Prince Street, Grafton, and 50 River Street, Maclean.

For further information about the awards, contact Suzanne Lynch, on 6643 0200 or email suzanne.lynch@clarence.nsw.gov.au

CLARENCE COUNCIL'S LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS 2016

Clarence Valley Council Media Release 

7th April 2016

Residents or organisations who contribute significantly to a more sustainable Clarence Valley are invited to apply for the council’s annual Living Sustainably Awards.

Nominations are now open, with four award categories for individuals, businesses, education and community groups who enhance environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Mayor Richie Williamson said council was looking for nominees who excelled in any aspect of sustainability such as those who reduced energy and water consumption, acknowledged the significance of local culture, provided sustainable recreation, environmental conservation, sustainable economic development, showed leadership within the community and developed innovative ideas.

Nominations are due by 4pm Monday, May 23, 2016 and will be judged by Council’s Climate Change Advisory Committee. The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony during Local Government Week, August 1-7, 2016.

Nomination forms are available at www.clarence.nsw.gov.au, or can be collected from the Council offices at 2 Prince Street, Grafton, and 50 River Street, Maclean.

For further information please contact Suzanne Lynch, on 6643 0200 or email suzanne.lynch@clarence.nsw.gov.au 

CLARENCE VALLEY LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS 2015

Clarence Valley Council's Living Sustainably Awards for 2015 were announced at a special ceremony on 5th August as part of Local Government Week.  The awards were judged by members of the Council's Climate Change Community Advisory Committee.

These awards aim to recognise outstanding contributions or achievements which enhance environmental, economic and social sustainability. This was the fifth year of the awards.

The awards serve two important purposes.  Firstly they recognise achievements in sustainability.  Secondly they show others in the Clarence Valley community how some individuals and groups are developing lifestyles or methods or skills that look to meeting the challenges of today and the future.

There were nine nominees for this year's awards.  The activities undertaken by these individuals and groups included: 

• Recycling
• Reducing energy use - thereby saving money and reducing carbon emissions
• Utilising renewable energy - solar power
• Plant propagation and food production
• Teaching young people about sustainability
• Teaching young people about ecosystems and biodiversity
• Educating the general community
• Community engagement including developing links with volunteers and local businesses
• Supporting local community groups

 The winners were: 
Education - Dundurrabin Public School
Community - Lower Clarence Community Garden (Yamba)
Individual - Di Luxton
Business -  Plantation Organic Bakery

THE LOWER CLARENCE COMMUNITY  GARDEN

CLARENCE COUNCIL'S LIVING SUSTAINABLY AWARDS 2014

Clarence Valley Council's Living Sustainably Awards were announced on August 6, 2014.  These awards were instituted in 2011 to recognise outstanding contributions or achievements which enhance environmental, economic and social sustainability.

As well as honouring achievement they serve an additional valuable purpose in showing the general community what some individuals and groups are doing to meet the challenges of today in a sustainable manner. Hopefully their example will encourage others to adopt sustainable practices.

The awards have four categories - individual, community, schools and business.

Award Winners and Award Nominees Present at the Awards Ceremony

The Award Winners

1) Individual - Dr Tony Courtice, who lives with his family on a proprty at Hernani and is passionate about sustainability in all aspects of his life - from his solar farm to his farming practices.

2) Community -  Clarence Valley WIRES which was nominated for its 25 years as a leader in wildlife rescue and care as well as community education.  It has received over 77000 calls for animal recsues and information. It is estimated that 50% of in-care animals are successfully released back into the wild.


3) Schools - Dundurrabin Public School is a small school in the west of the Clarence LGA.  It prides itself on its commitment to environmental education and sustainability.  Staff and students are involved in recycling waste, reducing water usage, composting, the waterwise program, saving energy and using recycled materials.  Students participate in weekly cooking lessons using fresh organic produce from the school and local gardens.

4) Business - Jamie Kenneally poineered resource recovery in the Clarence Valley over the last 30 years.  From humble beginnings from an old tin shed in South Grafton in 1983, Jamie built a business around recycling, winning contracts with Council to operate the Grafton recycling centre from 2002 to 2013.  It is estimated that Jamie's contribution to resource recovery is approximately 66000 tonnes of recycling or three years of landfill space.