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 2018
Ziggy McCartin Cole, Year 10, Evans River Community School
Ziggy 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, Ziggy!
Ziggy is an advocate for sustainable environmental practices in her home, school and community life. She has initiated projects with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and environment group. Projects that she has been a part of implementing include; organising special bins for bottle recycling and raise money for the SRC. Ziggy is involved in a Science initiative to clearly label all bins in the school especially the recycle bins. She is also very passionate about food scraps being used more effectively within the school. On the Peer support excursion to Morton Island, Ziggy organised the camp food and rubbish collection and at the same time raised awareness, for the younger students, about the importance of sustainability and caring for the environment. Ziggy lives and breathes this philosophy with enthusiasm and commitment and is an inspiration to both staff and students.
Runners Up 2018
LS2 Class, Murwillumbah High School
Class Members: Owen Findlay, Nimai Havey, Meghan Butler, Keshav Biswas, Kerry Clark-Arthur, Jessie Ross, Jayde Johnson, James Severs, Jack Latham, Christopher Hourn.
The LS2 class has completed a considerable amount of recycling in the school. They have established paper recycling in every classroom; used paper is shredded, the one sided paper is used to make note pads, all the cans and bottles are collected from around the school and recycled for the 10c refund program. This support unit class makes a significant reduction in the amount of rubbish that the school sends to landfill every week!
Award Winners from each High School 2018
(listed in alphabetical order of school)
Zoe Fairfull & Rose Christmas, Alstonville HS, Yr7. Zoe & Rose have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of environmental issues and raise money towards environmental programs for the school. They commenced a bottle recycling program this year! They are always there to help raise awareness of environmental issues, for example; clean up Australia Day and Earth hour. They were also both willing to get into the dirt whilst they were planting over 1000 trees this year along the school creek line.
Hayley Hill, Ballina Coast HS, Yr 10. Hayley is passionate about the environment. She participated in both Eco Studies and Marine Technology this year and demonstrated a willingness to learn in all activities. She completed work experience at Seabird Rescue where she continues to regularly volunteer. She has shown a commitment to learning sustainable strategies and teaching others about these strategies to care for the Earth! Hayley is actively involved in environmental care.
Summer Storm, Bellingen HS, Yr 10. Summer is an enthusiastic member of the Bellingen High School Environment Council. She has been involved in a range of programs, including river management classes during sports time where water quality is measured and monitored for Riverwatch and for the care of Bellingen River Snapping Turtles. She has been involved in clean up days, Landcare projects along local riparian zones, and Facilitator training for a Youth Leading the World Congress! She has also organised work experience with the Total Environment Centre in Sydney for 2 weeks in November.
Lucia Miles, Byron Bay HS, Yr10. Lucia is a dedicated student who is always keen to assist and contribute with enthusiasm. She is an integral part of the Positive Change for Byron High group and is a role model for other students as a custodian of the environment! Lucia has established a paper recycling team, coordinated with local businesses, collaborated with other students and educated the student body about waste issues.
Felix Egan, Coff Harbour HS, Yr 7. Felix has taken outstanding environmental action in 2018. In term 1 the school began a recycling campaign with the introduction of yellow recycling bins at the school, along with the Return and Earn Initiative coming to the region (Coffs Harbour). Felix has been a stand out recycler, each and every day he walks the school during recess and lunch with a milk crate and emu pickers picking up bottles and tetra packs and prompting his peers to recycle and add their waste to his collection. He has impressed the canteen manager with his dedication to the Return and Earn initiative which supplements our overhead canteen costs (keeping prices low and equitable for all students). Felix has also impressed out Environmental Representative Committee, principal and wider school community alike. He is a constant advocate for environmental sustainability, recycling and environment aesthetics. Along with this Felix also cares for and maintains the garden areas around the school.
Katie McGuire, Grafton HS, Yr 12. Katie has been a member of the Environmental Committee at Grafton HS for 6 years. She was the head of the Environmental committee of the Student Representative Council and assisted in the beautification of our old school by planting hedges and organising fundraising.
Ryan Adams, Maclean HS, Yr12. Ryan has a moderate cognitive challenge and is predominantly non-verbal. He is fundamental in his involvement in the Maclean High School Recycling program. Twice a week Ryan collects recycling from every staffroom and office in the school. He does this with the aid of a Learning Support Officer or his classroom teacher. He also cleans the playground with a "Pick-up and Reaching Tool". Ryan does this without fuss.
Zoe Arias-Walker, Mullumbimby HS, Yr11. Zoe has been a member of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Mullumbimby High School for several years, always encouraging environmental awareness. Zoe is an active member of a local organisation which does ongoing beach clean-ups.
Kai Prikulis, Nimbin HS, Yr10. Kai made a movie and ran a whole school assembly to promote recycling. Kai is a big influencer and a highly motivated student.
Cameron Mustard, Richmond River HS, Yr10. Cameron completed outstanding work in Agriculture and excellent research on bees and their contribution to a sustainable future.
Jasper Williams, Toormina HS, Yr7. Jasper collects food scraps from all of the staff rooms and common areas around the school in a large bucket and takes it to the Ag plot chicken coop. He also collects the eggs laid around the Ag plot because the chickens like to lay their eggs in some cosy places as well as in the coop. Jasper cleans the eggs and records the amount collected. At times he feeds the chickens and the sheep their dry food along with any food collected around the school. Since starting this program the chickens egg laying has increased and the quality of eggs has improved.
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
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!
