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 Tweed.
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. Please contact us for more details, or if you would like to donate towards the prizes.
Award Winners from each High School 2022
(listed in alphabetical order of school)
Kayden Rayward, Alstonville HS, Yr8. Kayden has been a driving force behind the student recycling that is happening at the school. He has an active interest in waste processes; is always keen to help with any initiatives; and encourages others to join in.
Lyrdhan O’Reilly, Byron Bay HS, Yr11. Lyrdham was a key organiser of the Byron Shire Student Strike for Climate 2022, helping liaise with police, council and insurance companies to create a safe and effective strike. As a proud Indigenous woman Lyrdhan delivered a powerful speech asking for change to protect the future of all living beings and a plea to seek the advice of the First Nations people of Australia.
Anton Saunders, Coffs Harbour HS, Yr9. Anton is a founding member of the school’s first Garden Club, started this year. He has been an integral member of the group, demonstrating excellent gardening skills, self motivation and application. Staff and students all over the school are benefitting from a greener and happier environment due to Anton’s work.
Mackenzie McDonald, Evans River Community School, Yr5. Mackenzie is an active member of the school’s Eco Warrior Group and Waratah Bud, participating in all activities with enthusiasm and dedication. She is a great advocate for the schools soft plastics campaign, including initiating a successful beach cleanup day to ensure our oceans are safer and healthier for all who live in them.
Lucas Gough, Kingscliff HS, Yr8. Lucas is a founding member of the school’s Bush Regeneration Team, where he has assisted in the development of the program, been pivotal in recruitment of peers and actively undertaken bush care initiatives in the local littoral rainforest. He is also a member of the school environment club Ecofriends, and part of their team who were finalists in the Green Innovation Award.
Rose Roper, Maclean HS, Yr12. Rose is the founding member of the school’s Climate Crisis Group, playing an integral part in coordinating meetings, members and guest speakers. Upon graduation she placed great importance on handing the reigns over to leaders in the years below.
Dune Care Team - Shanaki Lisson Yr8, Nathan Dutton Yr 8, Jaela Cossetini Yr8, Jye Hackwood Yr10, Murwillumbah HS. o The Dune Care Team have removed invasive weeds & replanting endemic species; cared for and demonstrated awareness of environment. They have been working as a group, developing excellent team work, and participated in a community activity.
Sabyah Ryan-White, Nimbin Central School, Yr9. Sabyah is an active proponent for environmental issues, and advocates on the SRC for greater environmental sustainability procedures and arrangements at the school. She was a keynote speaker at the regional climate change symposium, and has been a guest speaker promoting the Girls for Future documentary film in which she featured.
Isaac Dean, Toormina HS, Yr11. Isaac has been a committed student to our recycling efforts this year at school: supporting faculties by collecting paper for recycling; organising and delivering paper supplies to faculties; and coordinating group helpers to recycle large quantities in a professional manner.
Audrey O’Donnell-Parr, Wollumbin HS, Yr10. Audrey is an exceptional student who cares deeply about the environment. She has led the school’s Environmental Team, advocating for better recycling systems and strategies to minimise plastic waste. Audrey completed her Year 10 depth study for science on the breakdown of different types of plastic bags and has advocated for the greater use of bioplastics. She was also instrumental in a successful application for the Sustainable Schools grant.
Marami Arraiza, Woolgoolga HS, Yr11. Mimi has been actively involved in climate change youth activities in the Coffs Harbour region for the past 3 years. She has participated in Youth for Climate Change in a support and youth mentor capacity. She was elected Coffs Coast Climate Action youth representative to question touring politicians prior to the Federal election; has helped organised student led climate strikes in 2021 and 2022 including speaking to media; and successfully campaigned for local government to declare a Climate Emergency.
* Most photographs are from previous year winners. We are waiting for current winners to send us photos of their endeavours! If you are one of the 2022 WINNERS, please email us your photo NOW : )
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.
This environmental award is now acknowledged by most participating high schools as a major 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
2021 (details here)
Indigo Horn, Ballina Coast HS, Yr9
Ella Whan, Byron Bay HS, Yr12
Minyarni Isaac-Fisher, Evans River Community School, Yr9
Maddison Carlton, Grafton HS, Yr11
Saoirse Chu, Kingscliff HS, Yr12
Ember Edie, Maclean HS, Yr12
Dune Care Team - Kerry Clark-Arthur Yr12, Jade Tatum-Lube Yr9, Jye Hackwood Yr9, Shanaki Lisson Yr7, Murwillumbah HS.
Sabyah Ryan-White, Nimbin Central School, Yr7.
Bridie Shepherd, The Rivers Secondary (Richmond River) HS, Yr9.
Freyja Giese, Toormina HS, Yr10.
Audrey O’Donnell-Parr, Wollumbin HS, Yr9.
2020 (details here)
Regional Leadership Winner:
Tosh Perrow, Yr10, Byron High School
School Winners:
Rose May Christmas, Alstonville HS, Yr9
Garry McKenzie, Ballina Coast HS, Yr9
Heidi McClure & Isabelle Wicks, Evans River Community School, Yr7
Taya Clark, Kingscliff HS, Yr11
Bailey Guy Yr10, Jye Hackwood Yr8 & Savannah Juniel-Shepherd Yr10, Murwillumbah HS
Aliya Cassel, Nimbin Central School, Yr11
Montana Loader & Kaya McCoy, Orara HS, Yr7
Chelsea Boucher & Tahlo Nicholson-Moss, The Rivers Secondary (Richmond River) HS, Yr10
Eden Cunningham, Toormina HS, Yr12
Eliose Briley, Woolgoolga HS, Yr8
2019 (details here)
Regional Leadership Winner:
Stella Rees, Bellingen High School
Runner Up:
Vindi Ferguson, Byron High School
School Winners:
Coen Acret, Alstonville HS
Hope O’Connor, Ballina Coast HS
Charlotte Penhall, Coffs Harbour HS
Sunny Gillespie, Evans River Community School
Oskar Robertson, Grafton HS
Mia Taylor, Kingscliff HS
Eva Macnamara, Maclean HS
LS2 Class, Murwillumbah HS: Jack Latham, Jade Tatam-Lube, Jayde Johnson, Jye Hackwood, Meghan Butler, Nimai Havey, Tahliya Bennett.
Kai Prikulis, Nimbin HS
Belle Crowe, Orara HS
Abbey Bailey, The Rivers Secondary (Lismore) HS
Bowen Law, The Rivers Secondary (Richmond River) HS
Megan Elliot, St Johns College
Eleonor Logan-Cole, Trinity Catholic College
Jazmine Cooke, Tweed River HS
Tahlia-Belle Janetzki & Ella Curtis, Wollumbin HS
Taryn McCarthy, Woolgoolga HS
2018 (details here)
Regional Leadership Winner:
Ziggy McCartin Cole, Evans River Community School
Runners Up:
LS2 Class, Murwillumbah High School: Owen Findlay, Nimai Havey, Meghan Butler, Keshav Biswas, Kerry Clark-Arthur, Jessie Ross, Jayde Johnson, James Severs, Jack Latham, Christopher Hourn.
School Winners:
Zoe Fairfull & Rose Christmas, Alstonville HS
Hayley Hill, Ballina Coast HS
Summer Storm, Bellingen HS
Lucia Miles, Byron Bay HS
Felix Egan, Coff Harbour HS
Katie McGuire, Grafton HS
Ryan Adams, Maclean HS
Zoe Arias-Walker, Mullumbimby HS
Kai Prikulis, Nimbin HS
Cameron Mustard, Richmond River HS
Jasper Williams, Toormina HS
2017 (details here)
Regional Leadership Winner:
Samual Gribben, Bellingen HSRunners Up:
Ruby Reeve, Byron Bay HSYee Ming Goh, Maclean HS
School Winners:
Lily Christmas & Charlotte Lopes, Alstonville HS
Keshav Biswas, Murwillumbah HS
Neem Solomon, Nimbin Central School
Alyssa MacDonald, The Rivers SC, Richmond River High Campus
Elkan Novak, The Rivers SC, Richmond River High Campus
Decklyn Brown, The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
Rachel Holm, Toormina HS
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
Haydn 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!
