Rewarding sustainability in Canada Bay
Winners of the City of Canada Bay's second annual Sustainability Awards were announced last night at a special event held at Dedes Restaurant, Sydney Rowing Club, Abbotsford.
Council's 2008 Sustainability Awards were presented to businesses, community groups and individuals who have achieved economic, social or environmental progress in the City of Canada Bay. This year, the Awards program was even bigger with the inclusion of awards recognising cultural contributions to the City, heritage contributions and an award acknowledging child friendly businesses.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said, "Congratulations to everyone who entered or were nominated in this year's awards. It's fantastic to see so many dedicated business people, residents, community group members and individuals in our City.
"These awards recognise businesses, individuals and community groups that help boost sustainability in the local area by working better, smarter or more productively, while reducing everyday environmental impact.
"The program is designed to encourage sustainability by rewarding efforts to revitalise local neighbourhoods and introduce environmental initiatives."
Awards were presented to businesses for Business Access, Disability Employer of the Year, Business Recognition and Business Environmental.
This year, the Business Access Award (businesses that provide fully accessible services for the whole community with consideration for special needs) was won by Middleton's Pharmacy in Wareemba. Runner up went to Wareemba Newsagency and Brigitte Academie de Beaute of Five Dock.
Disability Employer of the Year is an award that recognises businesses that employ and accommodate staff with disabilities. This award was won by Electro Skills in Rhodes for their commitment to providing employment for people with mental health disabilities. Runner up was Matisse Derivan of Mortlake.
The Business Recognition Award is for businesses that have been established for more than 25 years. Council recognises businesses providing long-term employment opportunities for local people. Awards were presented for 75 years of service toChilcott’s Butchery, Concord, est. 1933; 50 years of service toMervyn Jones P/L, Mortlake, est. 1958; 25 years of service to Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre, est. 1979, BNP Security, est. 1983, Civic Video, Five Dock, est. 1983, Leo’s Shoe Store, Five Dock, est. 1980 and North Strathfield Post Office, est. 1983.
The Environmental Business Award is open to businesses that have introduced environmentally sustainable programs such as boosting recycling, reducing waste and pollution or encouraging staff to use public transport and car pooling schemes. The award was won by Birkenhead Point Shopping centre, Drummoyne. Runner Up went to Matisse Derivan. Highly Commended went to Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre and the Encouragement Award to Gammosonics Institute for Medical Research.
Award categories for community groups and individuals include the Precinct Recognition Award, Environmental Community Organisation Award and Environmental Citizen Award.
Precinct Recognition Award is an award that recognises community leaders who have contributed to the main street programs and improvements across the city. Winners of this award are Five Dock Rotary and Melanie Rozsnyoi from Little Hip Boutique, Wareemba.
The Environmental Community Organisation Award recognises community groups and organisations that have implemented strategies towards enhancing and protecting our local environment. The winner of this award is Concord High School and runner up is Mortlake Public School ‘Gardening Committee’.
Environmental Citizen Award recognises individuals who have implemented strategies towards enhancing and protecting our local environment. This award went to Robert Verhey for his environmentally friendly house in Five Dock. Highly commended went to Dean Hart and special recognition to John Fuller.
Additional awards this year included those recognising heritage and cultural contributions and an award acknowledging child friendly businesses.
Best Conserved Heritage Precinct went to Creewood Street, Concord for the best example of a group of Californian bungalows that have lost very little heritage detail.
The award for Best New Development Involving Heritage was won by 4 Shipley Street, North Strathfield with highly commended going to 77 Alexander Street, Drummoyne.
Best Maintained Heritage Property Award was won by 129 St Georges Crescent, Drummoyne, a wonderful example of conservation work where the character and detail of the original house and garden has guided the work at all times. Highly Commended went to ‘Anembo’ at 14 Consett Street, Concord.
Special Heritage Work Award was won by Pam Liell who is writing a book on the history of Concord.
Child Friendly Business Award was won by Mips Media and Special Events for the Children’s Guide, City and Inner West 2008-2009, a guide that provides comprehensive information for parents of 0-12 year olds living in the inner west and promotes child friendly local businesses. Runner Up of this award was Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre.
Sustainable Cultural Award was won by the Drummoyne Art Society with the Special Project Award going to Joe Di Giacomo for his work on the La Famiglia statue and associated art exhibition.
