• • Boyup Brook the winner of the Environmental Education Award and finalists in the Young Legends, Heritage and Culture and State categories
  • Greenbushes finalists in the Community Action and Wellbeing, Environmental Sustainability and State categories
  • Shire of Augusta Margaret River finalists in the Environmental Education Heritage and Culture categories

This year, 28 communities competed across the seven categories of litter prevention, general appearance, environmental education, sustainability, preserving heritage, community action and youth leadership.

Boyup Brook

Boyup Brook was announced the winner of the Environmental Education Award, following the Boyup Brook CRC collaboration with numerous community groups to undertake a range of sustainability and waste reduction initiatives, with their recycling hub diverting 235kg of waste from landfill alone. Volunteers from the local Lions Club operate the Boyup Brook refund point with senior students from St Mary’s Catholic School assisting in the creation of a second recycling drop-off point at the school.

Boyup Brook was also announced as a Tidy Towns State Finalist, with those recognised including St Mary’s Catholic School (Young Legends category) and Boyup Brook District High School yarning circle (Heritage and culture category).

The revitalisation of the billabong area and railways precinct through community cleanups, weed removal and vibrant art murals painted by artist Sobrane in a live watch event has rejuvenated the underutilised space. The project demonstrated impressive community engagement between the Shire, the Tourism Association, Blackwood Basin Group, Community Resource Centre, St Mary’s, Lions and volunteers.

The Boyup Brook District High School yarning circle was created to acknowledge the traditions of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and allows students to gather, share stories and to create a sense of connection. The Boyup Brook Blooming Wild Weekend was a hive of activity and engagement, with art and craft collections open to the public.

Greenbushes

Greenbushes was recognised as a Tidy Towns State Finalist, and those recognised include Greenbushes Folk Club (Community Action and Wellbeing) and the ‘Green Day Out’ (Environmental sustainability category).

Greenbushes was the state winner in 2016 and continues to be a strong state contender.

Greenbushes hosted a range of environmental and social activities, including the inaugural ride-on lawnmower race. The Litter Blitz saw 60 bags of litter removed in one day, and the Containers for Change initiative, managed by the school, collected the 10c refunds on drink bottles and returned the money to the community.

The Greenbushes Art Trail & Exhibition allowed local artists to exhibit and sell works, with the money raised used to install public art. This year, a mural was commissioned to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia. Visitors were encouraged to have their bodies checked for cancer, while visitor attractions were depicted in the ‘golden triangle’ of towns – Greenbushes, Balingup and Nannup.

Additional projects carried out in Greenbushes included the installation of interpretive panels and picnic facilities at The Public Mine Lookout, the Viet Aussie Garden was opened to visitors in Autumn and Spring, raising money for the primary school, the Folk Club was established, providing both music and mental health support to the community, and employees of the Talison lithium mine, students and environmentalists attended a tree-planting day.

Margaret River

The Undalup Association in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River was recognised as a finalist in two categories for their cultural fire workshops – fire stick farming (Environmental education category) and the Undalup Bunuru Festival 2021 (Heritage and culture category).

The Undalup Association hosted three cultural fire workshops in 2021, to support the community to people better manage their land, local ecosystems, and reduce bushfire risk. The controlled burn land management practice, called fire stick farming, was traditionally used on Country by Wadandi people during the Djeran (fire) season in April–May. Wadandi Rangers, Elder Dr Wayne Webb and custodian Iszaac Webb shared their knowledge at the workshops.

The Undalup Bunuru Festival was held in at Prevelly Beach, in Margaret River, with the smoke and alcohol-free event encouraging a sense of unity and belonging. Volunteers worked together to promote harmony, inclusivity and respect. The Festival showcased the importance of local community culture as well as traditional Wadandi traditions, bringing together families and individuals for music, craft, dance, education and celebration.

Comments attributed to the Member for Warren-Blackwood, Jane Kelsbie:
“I am so proud of the winners and finalists in my electorate of Warren-Blackwood.

“These awards recognise the hard work of volunteers, community groups and local schools and organisations to keep our community connected, sustainable and litter free.

“It’s great to see the inter-generational connection and community collaboration within these projects and I congratulate Boyup Brook, Greenbushes and Augusta Margaret River for their outstanding efforts.”