CCWA’s annual Conservation Awards acknowledge individuals and groups in the community who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Western Australian environment.
These awards are about rewarding those people in the voluntary environment and sustainability community whose passion and dedication have contributed to the protection of our precious environment. They are Western Australia's community conservation heroes.
The Conservation Awards are given in five categories. Click on the links below to find out about each award.
2011 Conservation Award winners
Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award – Margaret Owen
A simple, modest and very knowledgeable women; Margaret delights in being in bushland, quietly observing the relationships between native plants and animals. For over a decade she has helped others appreciate the unique and intrinsic value of urban bush remnants, isolated islands of nature in an expanding sea of urban development.
Margaret has a particular interest in the Underwood Avenue Bushland, a 38 hectare remnant of Banksia, jarrah and tuart woodland in Perth’s western suburbs. She is a leading figure in the preservation of local threatened species and led the charge in preserving urban habitat for the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.
A leading figure in the early West Australian conservation movement, in 1922, Bessie Richbieth was part of a deputation to have a woman included in a delegation to the General Assembley of the United Nations. After travelling nearly 2000 miles to see the Prime Minister of the time, Billy Hughes, he said “You can go on your way rejoicing, the Government has agreed to include a woman in the delegation.
CCWA patron Josh Byrne, Bessie Richbieth award winner Margaret Owen and WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion at the awards night.
Len Howard Community Group Award – Waterbird Conservation Group
Based in East Fremantle, the Waterbird Conservation Group was formed in 1984 in response to an outbreak of botulism in waterbirds at Thomsons Lake. Initially WCG rescued sick and injured waterbirds, while this continues the emphasis is now on protecting and rehabilitating habitat.
WCG has advocated for the development and implementation of strong wetland policies, as well as providing training and educational courses for waterbird carers. They successfully campaigned to end recreational duck shooting in WA, achieved in 1992.
WCG has no paid staff. All coordination, spraying, planting, fence removal and general management is undertaken by members and supporters. So far this year 38 volunteers working 1,100 hours have re-vegetated two large areas of reclaimed land.
This award was established in honour of Len Howard, who founded one of WA’s most successful conservation groups, Peel Preservation Group, which he led for 20 years. The recipient of this award is a community group which has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and success in the conservation of the Western Australian environment.
Young Environmentalist Award – Basha Stasak
Fremantle resident Basha Stasak co-founded the WA branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. She has overseen the growth of AYCC from a team of 6 volunteer staff members in November 2010 to over 60 volunteer staff members currently. Through growing AYCC Perth Basha has already empowered dozens of young people through providing leadership opportunities, training and mentoring and support, all as a volunteer putting in dozens of hours each week.
This award is for an individual 25 years of age or under who has demonstrated their ability for empowering, organising and mobilising individuals and groups (particularly young people) to be involved in environmental projects, advocacy or campaigning.
CCWA Honour’s List:
The CCWA Honour’s list recognizes members, employees or volunteers of conservation groups who have made a constant and invaluable contribution to their group, and have displayed qualities of integrity, reliability and commitment.
Michelle Crisp
Michelle was nominated for her work with the group ‘Locals for Esperance Development’ which has already forced significant tightening in the license conditions for nickel exports and continues to press for complete containerization of nickel-sulphide concentrates through the Esperance Port. Michelle has also been of great assistance to CCWA in running the Bush Canaries program.
Tony Fowler
Tony has been involved in environmental activism for 21 years. He has been the stalwart of CCWA affiliated group Nature Reserves Preservation Group, maintaining the group committee and serving as a base of knowledge and history for the group, which has outlasted numerous councils and staff.
John Vukovich
John has been involved in the environment movement in both NSW and WA for 30 years. Over the last 10 years he has influenced a wide cross-section of the Greater Bunbury area with his maintenance and preservation of bushland, participation in community activism and through the creation and posting of videos on websites. He was recently awarded lifetime membership of CCWA Member Group the South West Environment Centre.
Della Rae Morrison
Della has been the Chairperson of the West Australia Nuclear Free Alliance during 2010 – 2011. She has organized meetings, fundraisers, gigs, protests, meeting with politicians, public meetings and road shows to inform and educate the community and bring together Aboriginal communities from across WA. Her generosity with her time, energy and calming presence are greatly appreciated by the Anti nuclear movement in WA.
Jo Vallentine
Once listed as one of the 100 most influential people in WA , Jo has played a pivotal role in keeping Western Australia nuclear free and continues to provide inspiration for a new generation of environmental and peace activists. She is part of many groups, including the Anti Nuclear Alliance of WA and People for Nuclear Disarmament. She works closely with environmental and social justice groups and often gives her time to speak at events and hold non-violence workshops for groups.
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