Environmental Excellence Awards
We acknowledge and reward high school students for excellence in "sustainability" and "environmental action and awareness". Watch the video.
Starting our first awards at Maclean High School over 25 years ago, we now offer these annual awards across the North Coast of New South Wales, from Coffs Harbour to Murwillumbah.
Each participating high school is eligible to win at least one award, and a Regional Leadership Award is presented to the most outstanding student overall. We have also rewarded an outstanding university student from Southern Cross University each year for over a decade. Please contact us for more details, or if you would like to donate towards the prizes.
Regional Leadership Award 2017
Samual Gribben, Bellingen High School, Year 9.
Sam is our Regional Leadership Award winner this year. This award is provided to the student who excelled amongst all the other school award winners. Way to go, Sam!
This year, Sam has been involved in environmental activities both in and out of school over the last two years. He was part of the Youth Congress with the MyRiver, OzGreen program and our School Environment Council (SEC). He is a member of the RiverWatch team that records and monitors water quality and riparian zone vegetation. This program was established after a mass die-off event for the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). He has also worked alongside the Office of Environment and Heritage staff to record details of the endangered turtle and attach tracking devices for their monitoring.
Sam was also chosen as our electorate's representative in the Children's Parliament with the Advocate for Children and Young People (AYC). Here he met with NSW Greens Treasurer Justin Field and then to spoke to Parliament. His audience included the Member for Coffs Harbour, the President of the Upper House and six other MP's. The issues he discussed were the push for a ban on plastic bags and the logging of the Tarkeeth forest. Sam has now identified himself as a student leader for the BHS SEC 2018!
Runners Up 2017
Ruby Reeve, Byron Bay High School, Year 9.
Ruby has been instrumental in leading a group of Year 9 students in establishing a sustainable approach to managing single use plastics and waste paper in our school. Through her leadership the school has progressed in drafting a waste management plan for 2018. Ruby worked with local stakeholders such as Local Council, waste groups and school admin, Positive Change for Marine Life, completed a Waste audit of the school canteen and investigated alternatives to single use plastics.
Yee Ming Goh, Maclean High School, Year 12.
Yee Ming is one of the most community minded young ladies to attend Maclean High School. By her own example Yee Ming continually demonstrates her willingness to help the community she lives in. By volunteering she ensures she is doing her part so that we are all a part of a sustainable future. She is actively involved with Rotary through the Interact Club. Yee Ming has volunteered for Relay for Life, World Vision 40 Hour Famine, Polio Campaign, Leukemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave. Maclean Library Volunteer and Book Sales fundraiser. She has graduated from the Rural Fire Service Cadet Program. Yee Ming leads by example and headed Maclean High's Clean Up Australia Campaign.
Award Winners from each High School 2017
(listed in alphabetical order of school)
Lily Christmas & Charlotte Lopes, Alstonville HS, Yr 9. Lily and Charlotte have shown continual effort and commitment to the environmental group within their school. They have actively participated in planting trees, weeding gardens, general rubbish collection, raising money for environmental charity groups and advertising environmental issues eg. Earth Hour, National Plant a Tree Day.
Keshav Biswas, Murwillumbah HS, Yr 11. This year Keshav has participated in a program that has allowed him to work with the school cleaners to help clean the school yard during the afternoon. This has allowed Keshav to work closely with other people to make a difference in the school environment. He is a most enthusiastic and happy person who loves mixing with the students and staff as he moves around the school. Keshav always has a kind word to say to people and he loves spreading the word that he is doing a great thing for the school environment.
Neem Solomon, Nimbin Central HS, Yr 9. Neem has shown dedication towards and is an advocate of environmental issues. Neem has an awareness of global environmental issues, is a supporter of local environmental causes, was strongly engaged in the school Eco-Grant project, and is an active participant in organic gardening as part of Agricultural Technology Course.
Alyssa McDonald, The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore Campus, Yr 9. Alyssa has demonstrated a strong passion for environmental research and educating others about the ways in which environmental problems in third world countries particularly impact upon women and children.
Elkan Novak, The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River HS, Yr 8. Elkan is a keen and active environmentalist not only in school but also in the local community. Elkan has participated in the schools National Tree Day and Clean Up Schools Day with great enthusiasm.
Decklyn Brown, The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River Campus, Yr 8. Decklyn consistently works in a positive manner towards environmental and sustainable practices. He did some great work at this years "Clean Up Schools Day" and "Schools National Tree Planting Day" as well as through other school activities in agriculture and animal husbandry.
Rachel Holm, Toormina HS, Yr 9. Rachel had an outstanding contribution to creating a sustainable future at Toormina High school, she has shown leadership with a composting initiative at the school and has a keen and active interest in animal welfare and gardening by permaculture principles.
Jessica Adwinkle-Tait, Woolgoolga HS, Yr 8. Jessica has contributed to and shown leadership in environmental awareness and action through 'Ban the bag' and 'Stop Adani' campaigns. Jessica has consistently led discussions and promoted action on environmental issues, and is strongly engaged in a range of student leadership activities.
Criteria for these awards are that students have shown demonstrable interest, leadership, passion and commitment towards environmental excellence and sustainability through actions, programs or effort either in school time and/or out-of-school hours. Prizes for the winners from each school include cash (!), publicity, and a printed award. The Regional Leadership Award includes mentoring by the Sustainable Futures team and a scholarship for The Joyality Program.
This environmental award is now acknowledged by most participating high schools as a key student award, presented alongside more traditional academic, sporting and citizenship awards. Recipients have used it effectively in resumes for employment and submissions for university and other tertiary placements.
Past Winners
2016
Regional Leadership Winner
Edward Hubbard, Murwillumbah HSSchool Winners:
Bella Rubbo-Fairbairn, Byron Bay HSBenjamin Soden Maclean HS
Edward Hubbard, Murwillumbah HS
Kai Prikulis, Nimbin Central School
Damon Cook, The Rivers SC, Richmond River High Campus
Elkan Novak, The Rivers SC, Richmond River High Campus
2015
Jake Fitzpatrick, Byron Bay HS
Morgan Koekemoer, Grafton High School
Braydon Connor, Maclean High School
Freya Hughes, Mullumbimby High School
Kaliah Fletcher, Mullumbimby High School
Jason Williams, Murwillumbah High School
Megan Lee, Nimbin Central School
Joel Mudge, Wollumbin High School
2014
William Sykes, Ballina High School
Nickolla Clark, Byron Bay High School
Taylah Holwerda, Coffs Harbour High School
Annabel Green, Grafton High School
Tayla Letts, Lismore High School
Besse Groves, Maclean High School
Lily Bullock, Mullumbimby High School
Romany Claringbull, Mullumbimby High School
Rhiannon Hayes, Murwillumbah High School
Jessie Kenneally-Clarke, Nimbin Central School
Jesulin Duray, South Grafton High School
Jake Kennedy, Wollumbin High School
2013
Daniel Martenet, Ballina High School
Ruby Tavener-Graham, Coffs Harbour High School
Matilda Lynch, Dorrigo High School
Bethany Bayliss, Evans River K-12 School
Melissa Picone, Grafton High School
Jakira Toniello, Lismore High School
Benjamin Pilcher, Maclean High School
Charlotte Higgins, Murwillumbah High School
Kudra Falla-Ricketts Trinity Catholic College Lismore
Luacy Vieria-Silva, Trinity Catholic College Lismore
Samuel Cook, Wollumbin High School
2012
Jack Norris, Ballina HS
Jack Christian, Byron Bay HS
Joel Ashworth, Byron Bay HS
Tiarne Hely, Coff Harbour HS
Grace Jones, Dorrigo HS
Briony Moore, Grafton HS
Maddy Braddon, Lismore HS
Robert Baker, Maclean HS
Courtney Bailey, Mullumbimby HS
Vanamali Hermans, Murwillumbah HS
Haven English, Murwillumbah HS
James Smykowsky, Richmond River HS
Rachael Payne, South Grafton
Genevieve Payne, Trinity Catholic College
Bridget Lea, Trinity Catholic College
Zak Thomas, Wollumbin HS
2011
Ellyssa McGinley, Ballina High School
Zeb Branton, Byron Bay High School
Juliette Kidston, Coffs Harbour High School
Teegan Ellis, Dorrigo High School
Reba Blake, Grafton High School
Maddy Braddon, Lismore High School
Kyah Hurrell, Maclean High School
Courtney Bailey, Mullumbimby High School
Monique Orell, Murwillubah High School
Hayden Cridland, Murwillumbah High School
Brianna Morris-Grant, Murwillumbah High School
Peter Macklin, South Grafton High School
Amelia Telford, Trinity Catholic College Lismore
James Lea, Trinity Catholic College Lismore
Kurtis Foulkes, Wollumbin High School
2010
Penny Skehan, Alstonville HS
Guy Luckenby, Coffs Harbour HS
Ryan McCallum, Grafton HS
Alice Batcheldor, Maclean HS
Jessica Bohan-Jensen, Murwillumbah HS
Soraya Quaine, Murwillumbah HS
Luke Asi, Nimbin HS
Sapote Hudd, Nimbin HS
Mahalia Jackson, Nimbin HS
Liam Dudgeon, South Grafton HS
Mikayla Robinson, Toormina HS
Madilyn Brady, Toormina HS
Haynard Maynard, Wollumbin HS
Megan Vynne, Southern Cross Uni
2009
Kel Gale, Alstonville HS
Henry Garrad, Bellingen HS
Sarah Trende, Byron Bay HS
Matt Flanders, Coffs Harbour HS
Katherine Sangster, Dorrigo HS
Tegan Morgan, Grafton HS
Gwen Palmer, Kyogle HS
Maree Dibella, Maclean HS
Chi Chi Mester, Mullumbimby HS
Jessica Bohan-Jensen, Murwillumbah HS
Jasmine Russ, Murwillumbah HS
Eileen Hodgkins, Murwillumbah HS
Soraya Quaine, Murwillumbah HS
Andrew Attwater, South Grafton HS
Alethea Cotmore, Wollumbin HS
Gwenaella Anne Seznec, Southern Cross Uni
2008
Zoe McClure, Lismore HS
Sasha Hunt, Lismore HS
Jake Farrell, Wollumbin HS
Matthew Skelton, Toormina HS
Kaitlin Cowan, South Grafton HS
Oli Landreth, Nimbin HS
Rowan Campbell, Murwillumbah HS
Kirsty Sheridan, Mullumbimby HS
Nikki Gibson, Maclean HS
Lucy Barker, Kadina HS
Alice Lane, Grafton HS
Kymbalee Tarran, Dorrigo HS
Shiloh Mignot, Byron Bay HS
Jacob Rodney Daley, Southern Cross Uni
2007
Keeghan Silcock, Alstonville HS
Cooper Dames, Byron Bay HS
Kymbalee Tarran, Dorrigo HS
Lucia Botta-Stanwell, Lismore HS
Karlee Gosewisch, Lismore HS
Erin McKenzie, Lismore HS
Alana Hutchison, Lismore HS
Jessica McLachlan, Maclean HS
Natasha Allen, Mullumbimby HS
Leanora Collett, Murwillumbah HS
Rennie Mitchell, Richmond River HS
Craig Evers, South Grafton HS
Ian Francis Hayes, Southern Cross Uni
2006
Sorelle Warzecha, Ballina HS
Chester Pierson, Byron Bay HS
Adele Finch, Coffs Harbour HS
Leah Varley, Coffs Harbour HS
Brianna Parbery, Dorrigo HS
Emma Quinlivan, Grafton HS
Lara Casson, Grafton HS
Tegan Morgan, Grafton HS
Alyson Hewett, Kadina HS
Victoria Jenkins, Kingscliff HS
Brendan Bedding, Kyogle HS
Reid Shipway, Murwillumbah HS
Angus McDowall, Maclean HS
Tenielle Joyce, Mullumbimby HS
Jeremy Hill, Richmond River HS
Crystal Jongen, South Grafton HS
Andrew Carroll, Wauchope HS
Adrian Peter Woodman, Southern Cross Uni
2005
Tim Murphy, Southern Cross Uni
2004
Kieran Searle, Maclean HS
Tiffany Keenan, Byron Bay HS
2002
Marika Tyas-Tunggal, Maclean HS
2001
Sue Jeong, Maclean HS
Sasha Kerr, Maclean HS
Frankie Sergeant, Maclean HS
Michael Schilling, Maclean HS
Scott Urquart, Maclean HS
2000
Marika Tyas-Tunggal, Maclean HS
1999
Marika Tyas-Tunggal, Maclean HS
Isabelle Nicoll, Maclean HS
Josh Dinham, Maclean HS
Jessica O’Connell, Maclean HS
Previous winners ... lost in the mists of time!
