Banksia Environmental Foundation
The Banksia Environmental Foundation is an Australian organisation created in 1989 to support and confer recognition on individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to the environment. The Foundation launched the annual Banksia Environmental Awards in the same year. The awards are seen to be one of the "most prestigious environmental awards in Australia".[1][2]
History
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The Banksia Environmental Foundation was created in 1989 by a diverse group of 44 Australians who shared a common goal – to do more to support and recognise members of the community for their positive contribution to the environment.
To this end, they joined forces to launch a national environmental awards program, from Melbourne, that same year. Each of the original members devoted their time, skills and, in many cases, finances to get the Banksia Foundation and its awards program off the ground. After lengthy deliberation, the name Banksia was chosen because a Banksia tree cannot be destroyed. Even in fire it regenerates by re-seeding.
Their commitment and enthusiasm was such that, just seven weeks after the Foundation was formed, more than ninety nominations had been received for the inaugural Banksia Environmental Awards, which were presented at a gala dinner in Melbourne.
From the outset, the Banksia Environmental Foundation has remained an apolitical and non-confrontational organisation that endorses a cooperative approach to finding environmental solutions.
In the award program’s inaugural year in 1989, over ninety nominations for the awards were received.
The Banksia Awards
The purpose of the awards is to recognise and reward individuals, community groups, businesses and government organisations for environmental excellence, raising awareness and encouraging others to follow the example set by the finalists and winners.
Timeline
- 1989 - the Awards began with 5 Category Awards.
- 1991 - the first International award was presented.
- 1993 - the Inaugural Gold Banksia Award was presented.
- 2001 - the Prime Minister of Australia became the Chief Patron of the Banksia Awards and the Foundation expanded its award program to include The Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award.
- 2006 - the DaimlerChrysler Australian Environmental Research Award DaimlerChrysler Australian Environmental Research Award was presented.
- 2007 - the Banksia People's Choice Award was started.
- 2008 - the Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year Award was started.
- 2010 - two new category awards were introduced for "Clean Technology - Harnessing Opportunities" and "Transportation, Warehousing & Logistics Award - Mindful Movement"[3]
- 2011 - the Sydney Theatre Company for Leading in Sustainability. The STC's work on developing sustainable principles and integrating them into theatre-making, as well as inspiring audiences to play their part at home, was recognised as the most comprehensive environmental program of any performing arts organisation in the world.[4]
References
- ↑ This year’s Banksia winners Ecos, August–September 2007, p. 138.
- ↑ Forests NSW Banksia Award finalist Bush Telegraph Magazine, Spring 2006.
- ↑ Banksia Category Awards, retrieved 22 April 2010
- ↑ STC receiving the Banksia Award
