Environment Awards

Environment Awards  (Facebook Post (Square)).png

The annual Environment Awards celebrate excellence and sustainability practices within our community by showcasing our local champions who have demonstrated a substantial environmental impact.

The 2024 Environment Awards were presented at the council's inaugural Environment & Sustainability EXPO on 15 June 2024 at the Burnside Civic Centre.

Congratulations to our 2024 Winners

Major Environment Award Winner - Rose Park Primary School

Rose Park Primary School have been doing a lot of work for the environment with various projects and initiatives listed as part of their nomination.

Rose Park Primary School has a wonderful ‘Green Thumbs Garden’.  The Garden plays an important role in the education of their students and also has a positive impact upon the environment in Burnside. The Green Thumbs Kitchen Garden is a sanctuary for those students experiencing learning and sensory issues.  It provides a happy and safe place where they can connect with the natural environment and experience success.  These students are given the opportunity to share their gardening knowledge and love of the environment with others.

Rose Park Primary School has undertaken a major project at Gurney Reserve thoroughfare and streetscapes around the Rose Park Primary School. Including Establishing a new garden bed in Gurney Reserve, planting out four garden beds that were largely bare, with approximately 28 native plant species. They bring the community together for public planting days, they connect the garden and the species planted to the children’s curriculum outcomes and their work supports the improved natural productivity of the area for the local bird populations and biodiversity. Michelle Morris, the chair of Rose Park Primary School Environment and Facilities was highlighted as the person spearheading a lot of this work on behalf of the school.

Runner up Award Winners

1. The Australian War Widows SA Inc.

In a measure to inform and educate on the destruction of our natural resources by the blight of 'Fast Fashion' the Australian War Widows SA Inc have put together a program and aligned it with a 'clothing swap'. The initiative was so well received by their members they are now running it on an annual basis.

The organisation also work on educating as many organisations as possible particularly Ex Service organization's like RSL clubs, as well as Government both local and federal on the negative impact on the environment of micro plastics in the form of green foam (oasis) commonly used in floral tributes at commemorative services.

2. Rose Park Child Care Centre

Rose Park Community Childcare embed sustainability into everyday practice. They have a community garden, on the street verge, in which the general public can source herbs for their own use. As part of their commitment to sustainability, they educate children about the importance of sustainability and the impact that humans have on the environment both positive and negative. Their families are given fresh eggs from their chickens and they also have a compost bin system with a worm farm for children to use in gardening projects. Resources we provide for play are upcycled and natural where possible reducing the use of plastic products. Children have a sound knowledge of bin systems, gardening, composting, caring for country, we acknowledge environmental concerns through days such as world environment day, world oceans day, educators plan learning around themes and the UN sustainability goals.

3. Botanica Enviros Club

The Environs Club led by David Everett commenced developing a substantial understory project beneath the trees in Banksia Park, Banksia St, Glenside. With sustained care the initial area has matured into a successful advanced state, almost self-sustaining now.

The Botanica Enviros Club are seeking to extend the understory now that the next building at this development has been completed. "Banksia Park" will end up being the focus green space area for hundreds of new residences. Congratulations on your work in this area.

Contact

Please contact Council’s Events and Sponsorship Coordinator with any questions on 8366 4171 or email burnside@burnside.sa.gov.au.