Keep Australia Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2021 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. The Tidy Towns name has always been synonymous with community pride, cohesion and above all, community action. The awards reach beyond tourism to encourage, motivate and celebrate the sustainability achievements of grassroots rural and regional communities across Australia.
The Victorian finalist, Hastings was announced as the overall winner of the 2021 Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Awards, at an online event held on 3 September 2021.
Traditionally, the 2020 overall winner, Beechworth, Victoria, would have hosted this year’s awards event. Due to the continually shifting nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the 2021 Awards Ceremony was once again held online.
The finalist for Northern Territory, Wallace Rockhole was the winner in the Environmental Communication and Engagement category and a joint winner with Hastings, Victoria, in the Heritage and Culture category.
Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns judge Gail Langley acknowledged Wallace Rockhole’s development from humble beginnings of several tin buildings into a thriving community housing a successful local store, art centre, campground and a tour business that are all Indigenous owned and operated.
“At the heart of Wallace Rockhole are the First Nations people and a community that is wholly run and maintained by the Arrernte people,” commented Ms Langley.
“Indigenous culture and heritage are very strong in Wallace Rockhole. Through stories and sharing of knowledge by the Traditional Owners, the environmental awareness is maintained, creating unique affinity with Country that if not maintained, will be lost to generations in the future,” 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.
“In addition to a healthy dose of competition, the awards bring together community leaders, environmental champions, young legends and waste warriors from every corner of our great country to share experiences, learn from and inspire each other.
“This is the true Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns spirit.”
Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns Winners Table 2021
Award | Winner |
Overall | Hastings (VIC) |
Dame Phyllis Frost Litter Prevention | Hastings (VIC) |
Resource Recovery + Waste Management | Albury (NSW) |
Heritage + Culture (Joint Winners) | Wallace Rockhole (NT) & Hastings (VIC) |
Young Legends – Individual | Harrison Hansen (Hastings, VIC) |
Young Legends – Group | Penguin (TAS) |
Environmental Sustainability – Energy | Albury (NSW) |
Environmental Sustainability – Water | Rockhampton (QLD) |
Environmental Sustainability – Natural Environment Management | Rockhampton (QLD) |
Environmental Communication + Engagement | Wallace Rockhole (NT) |
Community Health, Wellbeing + Interest (Joint Winners) | Hastings (VIC) & Narrogin (WA) |
(ENDS)
CONTACT DETAILS
Judge Contact:
Gail Langley langley@agsystems.net.au
National Media Comment:
Val Southam, Chief Executive, Keep Australia Beautiful ceo@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.