Congratulations to our 2020 Award Winners!
A celebratory online event was held on 5 November to announce the winners of the 2020 NSW Environmental Education Awards. AAEE NSW Patron, Costa Georgiadis and The Hon. Matt Kean MP, Minister for Energy and Environment lent their support to the event.
The following winners and highly commended nominees were announced:
Tertiary Educator of the Year Award and Overall 2020 NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award
Winner - Professor Lesley Hughes, Macquarie University
Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award
Winner - Ashleigh Spillane, Bradman Road Early Education Centre
Highly Commended:
- Rachel Altenbacher, Earth Angels Childcare Service
- Katie Vander Donk, Explore & Develop Annandale
- Fay Knibbs, KU Children's services
Community Educator of the Year Award
Winner - Guido Verbist, The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre
Highly Commended:
-
Chay Khamsone, Impact Environmental Education
Government Educator of the Year Award
Winner - Julia Strykowski, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Highly Commended:
- Tracy Ward, Muswellbrook Shire Council
- Michaela Beattie, Campbelltown City Council
- Anni Griffiths, Central Coast Council
Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year Award
Winner - Christopher Yates, Ryde Secondary College
Highly Commended:
- Julie Rogers, Lucas Heights Community School
- Jill Bell, Royal National Park EEC
- Tim Bellamy, Petersham Public School
- Michael Halliday, Mater Maria College
Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Winner - Julie Rogers, Lucas Heights Community School
Highly Commended:
-
Tamara Jurinic, Prestons Public School
Sustainable Schools NSW School of the Year Award
Winner - Dapto High School
Highly Commended:
- Lucas Heights Community School
- Goolmangar Public School
- Bronte Public School
Take Me Outside NSW Excellence Award
Winner - Seaforth Public School, Garden Frog Pond Project
Highly Commended:
-
Lane Cove Council, Lane Cove Bush Kids Program
Read more about each of the winners here
A series of articles and case studies will be developed over the coming months showcasing the work of the 2020 award nominees and winners.
About the 2020 Awards
In 2020, the AAEE NSW Environmental Education Awards will comprise of two suites of awards:
- The 2020 Environmental Educator Excellence Awards
- The 2020 Program Excellence Awards
The 2020 Environmental Educator Excellence Awards Suite
The Environmental Educator Excellence Awards recognise individual educators from a range of sectors who have exhibited leadership and made notable achievements in their sector to further environmental education.
The Overall NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award is awarded to one of the winners in this suite. Nominees may self-nominate (but must provide a supporting referee). If a nomination is made on behalf of someone else, the nominator must advise if the nominee knows they are being nominated.
The 2020 Environmental Educator Excellence Awards Suite has 6 awards:
- Community Educator of the Year Award
- Government Educator of the Year Award
- Tertiary Educator of the Year Award
- Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award
- Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year Award
- Overall NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award (chosen from one of the five sector award winners)
All individuals nominated must predominantly carry out their work in New South Wales
The 2020 Program Excellence Awards Suite
The 2020 Program Excellence Awards is a new suite of awards recognising excellence in environmental education delivery across a range of core AAEE NSW programs and partnerships.
The 2020 Program Excellence Awards Suite has 3 awards:
- Take Me Outside NSW Excellence Award
Recognises a registered Take Me Outside NSW project that has been delivered with excellence.
- Sustainable Schools NSW School of the Year Award
Recognises a school who has shown excellence in embedding sustainability within their school and in the broader community in line with the values of Sustainable Schools NSW.
- Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Recognises a teacher, student, parent or community volunteer who has helped embed the Return and Earn program into their school.
All schools, organisations or individuals nominated must be located in New South Wales
Key Dates
11 June - Nominations for all awards open
14 August - Nominations for all awards close
5 November - Award winners announced at online awards event
2019 Award Winners
Congratulations to our 2019 NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award winners!
- Jenny Hill, Blue Mountains City Council, was the winner of the Government education category and overall winner for 2019!
- David Giblin, Chifley College Bidwill Campus, was the winner of the Formal education category; and
- Lisa Wriley, Kariong Eco Garden, was the winner of the Community education category.
All Past Overall Winners
2020 - Professor Lesley Hughes
2019 - Jenny Hill
2018 - Nikki Dixon
2017 - Nick Carson
2016 Owen Dunlop
2015 Judy Christie
2014 Jem Hansen
2013 Susan Mayo
2012 Phil Smith
2011 Nell Graham
2010 Rosemary Hadaway
2009 Grahame Collier
2008 Syd Smith
2007 Helen Tyas Tunggal
2006 Helen Scott
2004 Bill Dixon
2002 Stuart DeLandre
2001-2 Cameron Archer and Colin Mondy
2000 No Award (due to dissolution of the AAEE State Executive)
1999 Christine Prietto
1998 Sue and Col Lennox
1997 Alan Fox
1996 David Goldney
1994 Joan Webb
1993 Max Maddock
1992 Beryl Strom
1991 Ken Schaefer
1990 Carolyn Pettigrew
1989 Geoff Young
1988 Neil Dufty
1987 Kevin McDonald
1986 Peter Metcalfe
1985 Di Collins
1984 Jack Sinclair
1983 Brian Gilligan
1982 David Tribe
1981 Allen Strom
