#GreatNewsThursday – Violet Town shortlisted in the 2023 Victorian Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks has congratulated the Violet Town community on its fantastic submission to the Keep Australia Beautiful 2023 Victorian Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainability Awards.
The township entered in all ten of the award categories and were recently announced as shortlisted entries for seven of these categories.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said she was very proud of the community’s efforts in their application.
“I know this can be a challenging process after preparing the national entry for Euroa last year after it was successful in winning the 2022 Victorian Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainability Awards – therefore putting Euroa into the running against all other states at the national competition,” Cr Binks said.
“It is a real credit to Rebecca Cole who drove the entry for Violet Town and we wish the township all the very best for the next announcement on September 13 when Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria will reveal the finalists.
“I’m so thrilled the community was inspired to take on entering this year and congratulate her for doing all the hard work of compiling the entries!”
The next step in the judging process will involve seven community members undertaking 20-minute online interviews.
“I was energised and inspired by Euroa’s impressive results and thought that Violet Town had some amazing things to offer too,” Rebecca said.
“I was able to easily infect a team of community members with my enthusiasm and within the two weeks and many hours work, we had the 10 submissions ready.
“A big thank you and shout out to Robbie Rae, Karen Russo, Bruce Hunt-Hughes, Hank Bakker, Marg Crawford, Bruce Cummings, James Howden, Jo Spring and Mayor Laura Binks. Without their knowledge and skill, the entry would not have been possible.”
“We are so excited to have 7 entries shortlisted and now have 7 community members undertaking 20-minute interviews with the judges online, as the next step in the judging process.”
Karen Russo, who also played a huge role in the submissions, said the St Dunstan’s Hall Film Society was delighted be short-listed for the Tidy Towns and Cities Sustainable category Indigenous Culture.
“Our free NAIDOC Week film screening, A boat with no name, was all about connecting community while educating it about indigenous culture in an authentic theatre environment,” Karen said.
This year, Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) received a total of 132 entries and from that 70 projects were shortlisted across the 10 categories, highlighting the remarkable efforts of communities, organisations, individuals, and councils in creating a more sustainable, resilient, and beautiful Victoria.
According to KABV, Shortlisted entries include initiatives tackling waste reduction, energy efficiency, wellbeing, positive Indigenous outcomes, and community engagement, exemplifying the innovative and impactful approaches taken to promote sustainability across the state.
The shortlisting process was conducted by a panel of 10 expert independent judges who meticulously reviewed each entry in their assigned category, considering environmental impact, innovation, and community involvement.
“This year’s submissions have blown our sustainable socks off!” Said Olivia Lynch, CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria. “From creative community gardens that could make veggies tap dance to waste reduction initiatives that could convince the fussiest koala to compost, these projects have left us in awe! So, let’s give a round of applause to all the dedicated communities who poured their hearts and souls into these transformative sustainability projects!”
For more information about the shortlisted entries, visit https://www.kabvic.org.au/keep-australia-beautiful-victoria-announces-shortlisted-entries-for-the-2023-tidy-towns-cities-sustainability-awards/