Media Release
18 October 2016
The future sustainability of the region took centre stage at the inaugural Regional NRM Leadership Awards conducted in Geraldton last night.
Almost 100 people attended the 2016 awards – presented by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) and Central Regional TAFE – to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Natural Resource Management (NRM) in the Northern Agriculural Region of Western Australia.
On-ground outcomes, capacity-building and community engagement were the key foci in several of the organisations and projects that won awards on the night.
Seven categories were presented at these inaugural awards, with the major award – 2016 Outstanding NRM Award – presented to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for their community engagement and conservation management at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary.
Janet Richards from Ledge Point took out the equivalent individual category as the winner of the 2016 NRM Leadership Award for her coordinating role at Ledge Point Coastcare Group which has included crucial revegetation and protect works at Ledge Point since 2008.
Each category winner took home a beautiful hand-made trophy crafted with traditional Aboriginal methods by Badimia man Vaughan Lane and Wilinyu woman Donna Ronan.
A number the region’s long serving NRM champions were also saluted on the night with their names added to a new Regional NRM Leadership Honour Roll as an accolade to their contribution to land and sea stewardship in the region over many years.
NACC CEO Richard McLellan said “It was an honour for NACC to be able to recognise not only the current champions of natural resource management in our region through these awards, but also the many other individuals who have made significant contributions to NRM over the years”.
“We have some amazing people in our community and beyond who work tirelessly to protect, manage and restore our natural assets on behalf of all of us,” he said.
“NACC looks forward to adding more names to the Honour Roll next year – our 20th anniversary year – and to further recognising the hundreds of people in our region who volunteer their time and effort so generously.”
Winners of the 2016 Regional NRM Leadership Awards
Green Primary School Award
Chapman Valley Primary School
Green Secondary School Award
Jurien Bay District High School
Inspiring Junior NRM Leadership Award
Rheece Turner
NRM Innovation in Conservation and Engagement Award
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
NRM Coordinator Leadership Award
Rachel Walmsley
NRM Leadership Award
Janet Richards
Outstanding NRM Group Award
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Names added to the ‘Regional NRM Leadership Honour Roll’
Alan Bradley
Alison Doley
Chris King
Craig Forsyth
David Brindal
David Rickson
Don Williams
Elizabeth Eaton
Fiona Falconer
Jenna Brooker
Jim Wedge
John Braid
John Longman
Max Hudson
Micheal Bates
Mike Clarke
Nic Dunlop
Paul Findlater
Paul Robb
Shane Love
Shelley Spriggs
Stuart McAlpine
Sue Middleton
Tim Wiley
Viv Read
