The Community Environment Network has recognised the “quiet achievers” who work to protect the sustainability and environment of the Central Coast at its 2022 Be A Team (BAT) Awards.
Ann and Stephen Parsons from the Pearl Beach Crommelin Native Arboretum took out the Most Outstanding Allrounder category.
CEN Deputy Chair John Asquith said the pair became members of the Crommelin Native Arboretum when they settled permanently at Pearl Beach in 2009.
“Anne joined a Coastal Hazards Committee and was instrumental in getting the Pearl Beach Lagoon being within the remit for the study of lagoons on the Central Coast and contributed strongly to the subsequent ecological studies of the lagoon,” Asquith said.
“She was instrumental in obtaining a grant of $20,000 from the Commonwealth Government for a project to promote native bee conservation and examining the feasibility of re-introducing koalas into the Brisbane Water area.
“The project was refocussed to one ensuring habitat support for both koalas and native bees in the Arboretum.
“Stephen has been a member of Pearl Beach Bushcare since 2009 and has superbly led the team for almost 10 years.
“He has also been a member of the Arboretum Management Committee.
“Stephen has organised and run Clean Up Australia since 2010 and also removes litter all year round from the local roadsides in and around Pearl Beach.”
Asquith said the couple had participated in local environmental activities including CEN and Arboretum working bees, arranging guest speakers, managing environment focussed functions and fund raisers and encouraging others to join the Arboretum, Bushcare and Cleanup days.
The Best 12th Man or Woman award for someone who has worked tirelessly in the background to help others in the front line went to Ellen Jean (EJ) Kidd for her Land for Wildlife volunteer work.
Lesley Harvey of Grow Urban Shade Trees (GUST) was named Rookie of the Year and the Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA) as Most Outstanding Community-Based Organisation.
Source:
Media release, Dec 6
Community Environment Network