Keep Australia Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2020 Australian Sustainable Communities -Tidy Towns Awards.
Running nationally since 1990, the Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards have evolved to encompass projects and initiatives with a focus on environmental sustainability and resource management to reflect a growing awareness of the importance of community-led environmental action. They set out to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by individuals and groups in rural communities and share these best practices and ideas to improve Australia’s vibrant rural towns. The awards consist of nine special category awards followed by an overall National winner.
The Victorian finalist, Beechworth was announced as the overall winner of the 2020 Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards, at an online event held on 14 October 2020.
Traditionally, the 2019 overall winner, Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte), Northern Territory, would have hosted year’s awards event. Due to the unprecedented circumstances brought on by COVID-19 pandemic, however, the 2020 Awards Ceremony was held online.
The finalist for Northern Territory, Nhulunbuy was the winner in the Heritage and Culture and the Young Legends – Group categories.
Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns judge Gail Langley acknowledged Nhulunbuy’s strong focus on preserving, sharing and educating people about the community’s rich culture and history.
“Through the use of art; nature; reconnection with language, land and culture, together with protection of historically significant artefacts, Nhulunbuy celebrates its proud heritage of Yolngu and Macassans people, as well as the town’s military history, mining and European settlement in the area that was of importance to Nhulunbuy’s Indigenous people,” commented Ms Langley.
“The Nhulunbuy Town Board has also amended its Constitution to include a member from the local Yolngu Indigenous clans to ensure decisions reflect and support the traditional custodians of the town.
“The Young Legends – Group category winner, The Nhulunby Youth Council, also reflects this strong and proud connection to history, heritage and culture by demonstrating positive leadership mentoring to the young environmental and cultural champions in their local schools,” added Ms Langley.
Val Southam, Chief Executive Keep Australia Beautiful commended all the finalists in this year’s Awards.
“Entrants in the Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns competition, who are largely volunteers, are some of the most dedicated and passionate people we are fortunate enough to be involved with.
“Every year, we are inspired by the high calibre of entries demonstrating enormous community pride and environmental action. This year, under such challenging circumstances, this dedication, community spirit and commitment truly shone through.”
The winners book and photographs are available at www.sustainablecommunities.com.au.
Australian 2020 Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Winners Table
Award | Winner |
Overall | Beechworth (VIC) |
Dame Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention | Beechworth (VIC) |
Resource Recovery + Waste Management | Mount Gambier (SA) |
Heritage + Culture | Nhulunbuy (NT) |
Young Legends – Individual | Bella Burgemeister (Bunbury, WA) |
Young Legends – Group | Nhulunbuy Youth Council (NT) |
Environmental Sustainability – Energy | Beechworth (VIC) |
Environmental Sustainability – Water | Murrurundi (NSW) |
Environmental Sustainability – Natural Environment Management | Gympie (QLD) |
Environmental Communication + Engagement | Beechworth (VIC) |
Community Health, Wellbeing + Interest (Joint Winners) | Bunbury (WA) + Wilmot (TAS) |
(ENDS)
CONTACT DETAILS
Judge Contact:
Gail Langley langley[at]agsystems.net.au
National Media Comment:
Val Southam, Chief Executive, Keep Australia Beautiful ceo[at]kab.org.au 0419 016 401
EDITOR’S NOTE:
About the Australian Sustainable Communities Awards
Keep Australia Beautiful seeks to lead, challenge and inspire all Australians to strive for a sustainable and litter free environment. It does this through research, communications programs and awards programs.
Its national awards are known as the Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards. The Awards program commences with state and territory awards and culminates in a national Grand Final event.