MEDIA RELEASE
3 September 2018
Conservation legends and young achievers honoured at SA Environment Awards
2017 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Sue Colman Haseldine was awarded the 20th annual Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection at a gala ceremony at Tandanya last night.
Ms Colman Haseldine, a proud Kokatha-Mirning woman and respected Elder, was recognised for a lifetime of work to protect and care for country. Her campaign to defend land and people against nuclear testing culminated in the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize as part of ICAN - the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
“Sue’s experience, attributes and values deeply align with those acknowledged by the Jill Hudson Award, and she is a continuing mentor and inspiration to many,” said Dave Sweeney from the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Young Achievers and Unsung Heroes also took centre stage, with Kahlia Clarke from Australian Youth Climate Coalition taking out the Young Achiever Award, and Phil Gillet from Friends of Para Wirra named Unsung Hero of the Year.
"Many environmental activists and conservationists go for years without recognition. Last night was our opportunity to honour the work that these great South Australians do on behalf of all of us,” said Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive of Conservation SA.
South Australia’s nature legends were also honoured in the second annual Lifetime Achiever Awards: Conservation SA’s first female President Betty Fisher; Great White Shark advocate Rodney Fox; Hindmarsh Island protector Richard Owen; legendary anti-nuclear campaigner Eileen Wani Wingfield*, and Heysen Trail visionary Warren Bonython AO*. (*awarded posthumously)
“South Australia is blessed with so many wonderful people looking after our environment. It is such a thrill to acknowledge and celebrate their enormous contribution,” said Mr Wilkins.
"This year, being the 20th anniversary of the Jill Hudson Award, was particularly special. It was a delight to gather previous winners, and remind ourselves again of what they have given the community over the last two decades,” he said.
The Honourable David Speirs, Minister for Environment and Water was among the special presenters for the evening. The event was hosted by Conservation SA and sponsored by the Department for Environment and Water, Adelaide Cemeteries Authority and Gemtree Wines.
Full list of winners and finalists:
Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection
Winner: Sue Colman Haseldine
Finalists: Cristel Chambers, Limestone Coast Protection Alliance
Young Achiever Award
Winner: Kahlia Clarke
Finalist: Student leaders of Aberfoyle Park Primary School
Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Phil Gillet
Finalists: Alan Dandie, Mary-Ann Van Trigt
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Betty Fisher
Rodney Fox
Richard Owen
Eileen Wani Wingfield (awarded posthumously)
Warren Bonython AO (awarded posthumously)