Victorian Sustainability Awards winners announced

The winners of the 20th Premier’s Sustainability Awards were announced by The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Environment and Climate Action, at a ceremony in Melbourne on 20 September.

The 12 Victorian winners included packaging made from mushrooms, the transformation of a degraded grassy woodland into a functioning ecosystem, a community resale shed and clean energy solutions.

Premier Daniel Andrews personally selected the winners of the two overall awards — the Premier’s Recognition Award was awarded to Fungi Solutions and the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award was awarded to Euroa Arboretum.

This year’s Premier's Sustainability Awards were delivered collaboratively by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, along with the Banksia Foundation and Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria.

Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria’s Interim CEO, said this year’s entries demonstrated the sheer breadth of work being done in sustainability and congratulated all winners for their tremendous achievements.

There are two winners for each of the six categories, which were refreshed in 2021 to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Community Champion Award recognises individuals and small organisations, and the Industry Leader Award celebrates medium and large organisations driving a sustainable future.

The Premier’s Sustainability Awards Community Champion winners have a pathway to the national Keep Australia Beautiful awards program and all winners are eligible for the National Banksia Sustainability Awards.

And the winners are...

Circular economy innovation

• Industry Leader: City of Greater Bendigo
• Community Champion: Fungi Solutions

Future energy

• Industry Leader: Solar Thermal
• Community Champion: Euroa Environment Group

Healthy and fair society

• Industry Leader: Fire Rescue Victoria
• Community Champion: Alex Makes Meals

Thriving Environment

• Industry Leader: Darebin City Council
• Community Champion: Euroa Arboretum

Sustainable Places and Destinations

• Industry Leader: North West Program Alliance
• Community Champion: Warrnambool Community Garden

Waste and Litter Reduction

• Industry Leader: Rock Posters
• Community Champion: Anglesea Community House

Premier’s Recognition Awards

• Fungi Solutions
• Regional: Euroa Arboretum
   

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal