Living Sustainably Awards

Clarence Valley Council’s annual Living Sustainably Awards were announced at a ceremony in Grafton on December 2.  This was the eleventh year of the awards which recognise significant contributions towards a more sustainable Clarence Valley by individuals and organisations. 

There were ten nominations across the five award categories – Individual, School, Business, Community and Our Backyard.

Sustainable practices adopted by this year’s nominees included use of renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, food growing, by-catch reduction in commercial fishing, wildlife protection, propagating native species, bush regeneration, diverting fabric from landfill, and provision of emergency kits for flood-affected people. 

It is particularly interesting at the awards ceremony each year to hear about the wide range of practices in a variety of activities undertaken by the nominees.

Two of the awardees particularly stood out for me – Michelle Phillip (Individual category) and Bob Kershaw (Our Backyard).

Having created an energy and water efficient home, productive organic gardens and habitat for wildlife, Michelle is an example of everyday sustainable living. She has also created a business featuring upcycling discarded fabric – Gecko’s New Tail – which she estimates has diverted tonnes of fabric from landfill.

In accepting his award, Bob Kershaw spoke movingly about his career change from a business based on utilisation of old-growth timber to a life governed by green choices. Bob’s backyard and lifestyle provide a wonderful example of sustainable living as does his produce at the Yamba Farmers’ market.

While the awards acknowledge the contributions of Michelle, Bob and others, they also serve as an example to our community at a time when there is a growing need for the adoption of more sustainable practices generally in the long-term interest of humanity and our threatened natural world.

Many of those receiving these awards are quiet achievers and are often reluctant to nominate for the awards. If you know of individuals or organisations which are making a difference, encourage them to nominate next year – or nominate them yourself – so that the awards can continue to highlight positive sustainability activities which can serve as examples to the community in general.

Leonie Blain