AN environmental communication award at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2018 Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards recognised Muswellbrook Shire Council’s work with the Sustainable Futures Program.
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Council’s initiative includes a range of activities aimed at encouraging the community to choose more sustainable options.
The Sustainability Unit engages with residents on issues such as water, waste and environmental management and the program highlights how, when community groups and council work collaboratively, everyone wins.
“We are very happy to receive this award,” council sustainability officer Mick Brady said.
“We work with so many great community members and groups who are all trying to ensure a sustainable future.”
The Sustainability Hub, established in September 2017, has formed the central focus of activities.
It has become an accessible focal point for sustainability education, community engagement and empowerment – and hosts a variety of events including workshops and nursery activities.
Over the past 12 months more than 1800 community members have enjoyed in excess of 80 interactive events, mostly at The Hub.
“Teaming up with the Sustainability Hub has provided the Girl Guides with easily accessible, hands-on experience to explore sustainability in their day-to-day lives,” Muswellbrook Girl Guides unit leader 2A Sally Jackson said.
“It’s also allowed us to achieve our aim to empower girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting and responsible community members.”
A member of the Penguin Garden Club, Muriel Green, also praised the program.
“Having moved from North Queensland, for me, spending time at the gardens has enabled me to learn about composting, saving and planting seeds and growing plants in a cold climate,” she said.
“Working with others in the community has enabled me to meet some great people and make new friends, too.”
Pre-school teacher Stacey Goodall, from Goodstart Early Learning Centre, said it was important to include sustainability in their education programs.
“Through hands-on experiences we can give children an opportunity to explore and learn about the local environment,” she explained.
“Practicing sustainability empowers children to construct knowledge, explore values and develop an appreciation of the environment and its relationship to their worlds.”