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KEITH MUIR
Keith Muir, the director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness, has dedicated his working life to nature conservation, particularly the protection of wilderness in NSW. Thousands of hectares of some of the state’s most magnificent wild places will continue to evolve free of human impacts thanks in no small part to his tireless, passionate and creative campaigning, as evidence by the recent Kowmung Adventure and the Gardens of Stone: In Focus photographic competition. Keith is an avid bushwalker who loves to share his passion for the Australian bush, and mentoring young conservationists.
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MARK SELMES
Mark Selmes has been a dedicated volunteer for the environment for many years. He dedicates his days to caring for wildlife, advocating for the conservation of nature and educating young minds to think about the natural world. Mark is well known for this alter ego, Cranky Koala, who has fronted picket lines, MP offices and community events across the state. His creative campaigning style often attracts media interest and draws attention to important environmental issues.
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GROUNDSWELL GLOUCESTER
Groundswell Gloucester has a strong local membership and committees working on events, protests, policy, media, research and strategy. These committees consist of committed local volunteers delivering a high-impact campaign to protect the Manning Valley from CSG and to shape NSW policy debate. Groundswell Gloucester’s achievements include:
- organising 17 community protest walks;
- securing Mid Coast Water and Gloucester Council opposition to coal seam gas;
- empowering hundreds of locals to take action and make a difference;
- challenging AGL’s exploration project, exposing the problems, and forcing several government and independent investigations;
- exposing AGL’s failure to safely dispose of fracking flow-back water;
- researching AGL’s political donations to political parties during the Gloucester gas project approval process;
- championing sustainability, conservation, transition away from coal and CSG;
- leading public debate and dialogue for a diverse and sustainable local economy including beef, dairy, horticulture and a multi-million dollar tourism industry.
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BILL RYAN
Bill Ryan, 93, has a long record of environmental activism that has taken new direction over the past few years when he took a leading role in the battle to save Leard State Forest from the Maules Creek coal mine, travelling to the state’s northwest there several times. He also travelled to Bulga in the Hunter Valley to support the community’s fight against Rio Tinto's plans to expand a coal mine. Bill has been involved in other campaigns, including the Newcastle Port blockade with Climate Warriors, the push for banks to divest of fossil fuel projects, and last year’s Walk for Water. He has been a regular member of the protests against AGL's CSG operations at Gloucester and Camden, making the trip from the Sutherland Shire to AGL’s North Sydney headquarters each week.
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ANNE REEVES
Since coming to NSW in the mid-1980s, Anne Reeves has been a vigorous and highly effective advocate for the environment, and has held numerous positions on the executive committees of the Nature Conservation of NSW and the National Parks Association of NSW. Anne has been a conservation representative on a multitude of statutory bodies, including the National Parks Advisory Council, and has made significant contributions at many levels in the fields of nature conservation, and fire and water management. Anne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1985 for services to local government, conservation and women's affairs in South Australia.
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THE UPPER MOOKI LANDCARE GROUP
The Upper Mooki Landcare Group (UMLG) has mounted a case in the Land and Environment Court against Shenhua and the NSW Government for failing to properly assess the impacts on a local koala population of the proposed Watermark coal mine near Breeza in the state’s northwest. The case, which is being run by the Environmental Defenders Office, is attempting to halt the mine, which would result in the destruction of hundreds of hectares of koala habitat. Campaigning and fundraising activities have included a 100 Mile Dinner in their local hall showcasing local produce; a rally outside the Land and Environment Court that achieve excellent media coverage; and the Paddock to Plate Father's Day Feast in Sydney’s Centennial Park. UMLG has worked closely with Land Water Future and forged connections with other farmer alliances facing similar threats.
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BELLINGEN ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
Bellingen Environment Centre is celebrating its 25th year and continues to enjoy widespread community support. BEC has a proud record of achievement, including the creation of the 3,000ha Bellinger River National Park in 1996; addition of the Brinerville property to the New England Wilderness; the protection of Cameron’s Corner wetland on Waterfall Way from destruction for a road realignment; working with the Nature Conservation Council and National Parks Association on the campaign to create the Great Koala National Park; conducting plant fairs; and hosting many gatherings by the environment movement over the years, including several NCC Regional Conferences.
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HARRISON BURKITT
Harrison Burkitt has taken a leading role in the fight to save Cliefden Caves in the central west, nearby fossil deposits and thermal spring. While still completing Year 12 studies, Harrison took on the role of secretary of the Save Cliefden Caves Association and juggled campaign management and his studies. Harrison quickly mastered the social media and digital aspects of the campaign, establishing a supporter database and petition via the NationBuilder platform, as well as creating an active Facebook and Twitter accounts. In 12 months, about 7,000 people signed petitions opposing the flooding of the caves and more than 5,000 people now follow the campaign’s social media accounts. These lists have been used to generate more than $12,000 in donations that are funding scientific research to strengthen case for the site’s conservation.
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