Winners of 2009 Banksia Awards Announced in Melbourne
MEDIA RELEASE
24 July 2009
MELBOURNE, 24 July 2009 – For its work providing volunteer researchers and scientists to Australia’s most deserving environmental projects, tonight the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Banksia Environmental Foundation have awarded EarthWatch Institute the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award.
The prestigious award was announced at the Banksia Awards 2009 Gala Dinner in Melbourne, where 17 individuals and organisations from around the country won a Banksia Award for their efforts preserving Australia’s environment.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition was awarded the Environment Minister’s Young Environmentalist of the Year Award for their work championing environmental issues on a local and global stage with the goal of making youths environmentally responsible.
Shai Agassi of Better Planet was recognised as the International Award winner for his world leading work developing electricity powered vehicles.
“The calibre of tonight’s Banksia Award winners is just outstanding. Shai Agassi of Better Place is leading the world charge by developing sustainable vehicle options with a goal of zero emissions driving,” said Graz van Egmond, executive director, Banksia Environmental Foundation.
While EarthWatch Institute, our Prime Minister’s Award winner, are ensuring the most worthy environmental projects are equipped with volunteer researchers and scientist to ensure the project outcomes are delivered to the highest standards.”
“The community groups, individuals and businesses who have each won a Banksia Category Award are also commended for taking environmental responsibility in to their own hands and leading the way in their communities to achieving an environmentally sustainable Australia.”
The Award winners are as follows:
Award
|
Winner
|
Achievement
|
| Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year |
EarthWatch Institute |
Providing volunteer researchers and scientists to deliver some of Australia’s most important environmental projects |
| Environment Minister’s Young Environmentalist of the Year |
Australian Youth Climate Coalition |
Championing environmental issues on a local and global stage |
| International Award Winner |
Shai Agassi, Better Place |
World leading development of electricity powered vehicles with the view to delivering sustainable transportation around the world |
| Origin Gold Banksia Award |
Fergusson Plarre Bakehouses |
World leading re-use of waste energy produced during the baking process to drastically reduce the environmental impact of its Melbourne bakehouses |
| Mercedes Benz Australian Environmental Research Award |
Dr Amanda Barnhard, CSIRO |
A very important approach to the study of the environmental risks of nano-materials that may enable modelling of specific risks for the expanding array of nano-materials |
| Agriculture & Food Award |
KRAFT Foods, Giving Vegemite a Sustainable Future |
An in-depth review of production processes has achieved waste reduction by more than 65 per cent, reduced energy consumption by 52 per cent and implemented environmental savings of $1 million |
| Built Environment Award |
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre |
Delivering the Southern Hemisphere’s first 6 star Green star rated public building |
| Education Award |
Monash University, The Green Steps Program |
Develops emerging young leaders to work as environmental ‘change agents’ within organisations and communities |
| Environmental Services Award |
Sustainable Living Foundation, Sustainable Events Platform |
The development of an online tool which equips event organisers with the knowledge and tools to reduce the environmental impact of their event |
| Indigenous ‘Caring for Country’ Award |
Kimberley Toad Busters, Kimberley Toad Buster Cane Toad Education Program |
Reducing Australia’s environmentally devastating cane toad population through community education and toad eradication programs |
| Land & Biodiversity Award |
Greening Australia Capital Region, ACT Land Keepers |
Engaging almost 4000 volunteers who work with 56 rural land managers to protect, enhance and re-establish native vegetation and control weeds throughout the ACT |
| Large Business Sustainability Award |
The CPT Group |
CPT Group seeks to purchase and create sustainable properties throughout Australia that secures future generations a safe and healthy community |
| SME Business Sustainability Award |
Fergusson Plarre Bakehouses |
World leading re-use of waste energy produced during the baking process to drastically reduce the environmental impact of its Melbourne bakehouses |
| Water Award |
Healthy Waterways Partnership, A Voice for Water |
A collaboration of 113 organisations focussed on improving the quality of South Eastern Queensland’s waterways. The group has implemented 500 management actions to see their strategy achieved |
| Banksia Community Grant Award |
MyPower |
Four NSW-based university students raising awareness Australia-wide of the need for greater environmental responsibility |
| Banksia People’s Choice Award |
Food Connect |
By eating food that is grown within a five hour radius of Brisbane, Food Connect members cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions and reduce their carbon footprint. |
Images of the Gala Dinner and award winners are available from the Banksia Environmental Foundation website,
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For more information or interviews, please contact:
Angela Cross, Mango
0412 92 93 97
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MELBOURNE, 24 July 2009
– For its work providing volunteer researchers and scientists to Australia’s most deserving environmental projects, tonight the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Banksia Environmental Foundation have awarded EarthWatch Institute the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award.
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The Foundation
Winners of 2009 Banksia Awards Announced in Melbourne 