Banksia Environmental Foundation

		Supported by:
	Presented to the entry that has been deemed via the judging process to demonstrate outstanding environmental achievement at a national or international level.

2011 Award Criteria

The 2011 Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year Award aims to recognise outstanding contributions to a Sustainable Australia, or how work in the field of sustainability has contributed internationally.

Self-nominations and nominations on behalf of another individual and organisations are accepted. Nominated individuals and organisations must have achieved outcomes that have:

• made a significant contribution to a Sustainable Australia;
• influenced understanding or appreciation of sustainability, in Australia and/or overseas, and
• provided leadership or inspiration in the field of sustainability.

Eligible entries are actions or projects that contribute to any or all of the following outcomes:

Judging will take into account long-term commitment to achieving positive environmental outcomes, with an emphasis on results and implementation over the past five years.

Entering the Prime Miinister's Environmentalist of the Year Award

ENTRIES CLOSED

Please note: There are no fees associated with entering this award

Before downloading the kit, please read the information provided below

Quick find:

Use the following links to access specific awards information

General Eligibility

The organisation or individual must not have been prosecuted for a violation of any environmental, social or commercial law in Australia or overseas in the past 12 months.

Refer to Award Entry System for extra eligibility.

 How to Enter the Award

To enter an Award in the 2011 Prime MInister's Environmentalist of the Year Award you need to do the following: -

1. Deciding to enter -

a. make sure that you are eligible (see general eligibility)
b. don't forget to check  the other awards such as the Banksia Category Awards (separate entry required), the Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year Award (separate entry required) or the Mercedes-Benz Australian Environmental Research Award (separate entry required).
Each of these awards have separate entry kits.

2. Download an entry kit

a. the Award Entry Kit should provide you with all the information you require such as:
- submission requirements including entry format and supporting documentation;
- category criteria and
- entry form.
b. You will need to register your information with us when you download any Award Entry Kits.
It is important to register for our email newsletter also as this is our method of communicating with you during the Award period to advise of any changes, deadlines or other important information.

3. Make sure you are familiar with the Award timelines.

4. Attend the free Banksia Award Entry Information Sessions which are run nationally in May 2011.

a. the sessions are designed to assist you with preparing your entry providing useful tips.
b. it is a useful forum to get questions answered.

5. Check out the FAQs section

6. If after steps 1 to 5 you have any further questions please contact us.

Back to Quick Find

Contact Details

For all award queries
p: 03 9684 4667
e: award query email
a: Level 1, 40 Albert Road, South Melbourne 3205

Back to Quick Find

2011 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Winner

Bill Thomas

"Through his work with Bentleigh Secondary College, for 23 years Bill has been able to both effect change in reducing the impact of the school, and inspire the next generation of Australians to achieve real action against climate change. Bill is a passionate individual who is making a difference and educating not only the students but local community, and assisting with other schools' environmental journeys. Judges were impressed with Bill's well expressed understanding of, and linkage between, the operational activities at the school and broader educational and community outcomes now and into the future."

Bill Thomas has been a member of the teaching staff at Bentleigh Secondary College since 1985. In his capacity as Head of Sustainable Practice he has led the development and installation of many sustainable projects at the college and has willingly made himself available to assist other schools with their own sustainability journeys. Bill's achievements are remarkable in their scope and in their ongoing nature. He was awarded the 2010 National Savewater! Australian Achiever award that "recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to water conservation through initiative and leadership". He has led the development of the Urban Forest also from concept to completion. He was a finalist in the 2011 United Nations World Environment Day Awards for Individual Excellence and was the winner in the Excellence in Sustainable Management of Water Award. Queen's Birthday Honour 2011 Public Service Medal for "outstanding public service and exceptional contribution as a leader in sustainability education" Bill's contributions, achievements and leadership over an extended period of time are outstanding and represent significant and wide-ranging changes both within and outside our community.

2011 Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Finalists

Peter John Andrews OAM

For the past 40 years, Mr. Peter Andrews has worked tirelessly to develop and scientifically validate a system of "enviro-agriculture" appropriate to Australian conditions. The shorthand name for his methods is Natural Sequence Farming ("NSF") and it is now recognised as not only applicable to Australia but for all dryland farming regions throughout the world. Mr. Andrews has observed the efficiencies of the original Australian landscape functions and applied them to agricultural systems thus creating greater productivity, maximum water retention, a decline in salinity, an increase in biodiversity and optimum nutrient recycling. He has travelled the nation, speaking with farmers, Landcarers, conservationists, scientists and politicians to unanimous acclaim. Wide adoption of NSF will result in greatly enhanced soil carbon sequestration, cooler landscapes and the availability of water and nutrients to the root zone of all plants resulting in enhanced productivity and long term sustainability.

Natalie Isaacs

Natalie Isaacs, a suburban mum and businesswoman with no long-term career background in science or environmentalism, over the past 5 years has led the creation of a dynamic new social enterprise: the women-focused climate change action campaign 1 Million Women (1MW). The vision of 1MW is a national mass movement of women and girls getting on with practical action on reducing carbon pollution and living more sustainably in the households, workplaces and communities of Australia. In the two years since the campaign was formally launched, it already has built to nearly 50,000 members and about 24,000 on Facebook, making 1MW one of the nation's largest dedicated climate action organisations. The long-term goal is 1 million women engaged in the campaign, coming from every part of Australian society, collectively committed to cutting 1 million tonnes of CO2 pollution and changing to more environmentally friendly behaviours.

Sid Plant

Sid Plant is a farmer acknowledged even by climate scientists as having an exceptional grasp on climate science, pioneering its application in practical decision-making over many years. He is also a highly gifted and effective communicator, freely sharing his knowledge and passionately advocating for action on climate change. Since 2003, (years before Al Gore) he has created and voluntarily presented over 100 'Climate Change in a Nutshell' presentations, each targeted to the audience and climate at that location. Now a sought-after speaker on climate issues, his audiences have ranged from small groups of farmers, community and landcare groups to the UN, WMO, international scientific conferences and the Woodford Folk Festival and encompassed over 10,000 people. Respected by scientists, industry, policy-makers and community, Sid has been effective in explaining the science to various groups. His efforts have influenced and inspired others, leading to direct actions and greater momentum addressing climate change.