2024 LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARDS
Presented by Kirsty Bevan | CEO of Conservation Council SA
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Bunna Lawrie |
Dr Bob Sharrad |
Fraser Vickery |
Patricia Thomas OAM
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JILL HUDSON AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Winner: YURI POETZL
Tree campaigner Yuri Poetzl’s nature photography inspires local communities to step up to the plate and fight for our state's incredible trees.
The proposed Victor Harbor overtaking lane is just one of many projects where Yuri’s photography kickstarted an effective community movement. His powerful images and the subsequent campaign ultimately convinced government that there were better ways to achieve road safety improvements than removing significant numbers of mature native trees.
Ever the humble and quiet achiever, Yuri has volunteered countless hour of his time photographing Adelaide’s big trees and inspiring SA community campaigns to protect our state’s precious tree canopy.
Finalists:
JULIA PEACOCK
As Nature Advocate for the Nature Conservation Society of South Australia, Julia Peacock has steadfastly campaigned against weakening environmental protections, and for much-needed improvements in state and federal nature laws and planning.
Julia's many accomplishments include her work to protect Whalers Way and the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren from development for a rocket-launch facility, and her contributions to proposed new biodiversity legislation for South Australia.
Despite persistent barriers and biases stacked against nature conservation, Julia has brought outstanding diligence, ambition, commitment, and collaboration to the fight to protect South Australia’s biodiversity.
SA NATIVE ANIMAL RESCUE INC
SA Native Animal Rescue is a non-profit volunteer organisation that rescues, cares for and (where possible) releases injured, sick, orphaned and displaced native wildlife.
Founded in November 2022, this group of dedicated volunteers have already rescued and rehabilitated 100s of birds and other wildlife, donating countless hours of service to field work, outreach and in-home care.
In addition to their important on-ground work, the group educates members of public on the importance of native wildlife and offers practical guidance on the care of SA’s most vulnerable creatures.
SHANE SODY
As President of the Adelaide Park Lands Association, Shane made an outstanding contribution to protection of the Park Lands in 2023, when he led the campaign against relocation of the SA Police Mounted Operations Unit to Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W).
As the public face of the Association, Shane spoke passionately to the media and campaigned tirelessly in support of the Park Lands and Mirnu Wirra.
After an intense campaign, in June 2023 Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a change of heart, stating that the Mounted Operations Unit would be built elsewhere - a victory for Shane and for our Park Lands.
GREEN ADELAIDE'S PELZER PRIZE
Winner: Dr Mark Ellis
Certificates of Commendation:
Bruce Baker, Certificate of Merit For Environmental Education
Carmen Bishop, Certificate of Merit For Marine And Coastal Education
Ron Bellchambers, Certificate of Merit For Community-based Restoration
Martin F. Breed, Certificate of Merit For Urban Ecological Research
Gerry Butler, Certificate of Merit For Landcare
Katja Hogendoorn, Certificate of Merit For Plant-insect Interactions
Jake M. Robinson, Certificate of Merit For Urban Forest Research
Adrian Shackley, Certificate of Merit For Grassland Recovery
Gerd Winter & Susannah Eliott, Certificate of Merit For Innovative Science Communication
CONSERVATION SCIENCE PRIZE
Winner: PROFESSOR SEAN CONNELL AND DR DOMINIC MCAFEE
South Australia has lost over 1,500km of oyster reefs since European settlement. Dr Dominic McAfee and Professor Sean Connell are working to restore these lost reefs to enhance SA’s coastal health.
Since 2020, the pair have co-authored 15 scientific articles on ecological and socio-political aspects of these restorations. Their research informs the timing, reef configuration, and strategy for constructing new reef restorations in SA, and is being applied to restoration projects overseas.
The team’s communication work, including public presentations, media and scientific articles, has engaged local and global audiences on this critical restoration program.
Finalists:
PROFESSOR PENG BI
World-leading climate change and health scientist Professor Peng Bi researches the health risks and associated healthcare costs of extreme heat and projections of disease burden due to demographic and climate changes.
Elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia in 2022, Professor Bi has developed evidence-based interventions for older people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and occupational settings.
By fostering collaboration between researchers, government, NGOs and service providers, Professor Bi's work has explored the complex and far-reaching impacts of extreme heat, translating scientific evidence into public health policy and practice.
DR ISABELLE ONLEY
On completing her PhD, Dr Isabelle Onley was awarded the University of Adelaide School of Biological Sciences Postgraduate Academic Achievement Award in 2022.
In her current role as a postdoctoral research fellow at University of Adelaide, Dr Onley has engaged with the Australian Antarctic Division to address information gaps on the transfer of non-native species, conducting research to inform policy development for the ongoing protection of Antarctica's vulnerable ecosystems.
Recently, during the summer of 2023-24, she participated in the ambitious deep field Denman Terrestrial Campaign in the Bunger Hills, Antarctica, living remotely for two months in a research community and conducting monitoring of seabird populations in a highly understudied area.
WORKING TOGETHER AWARD
Winner: AUSSIE BREAD TAGS FOR WHEELCHAIRS
Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs was started in Adelaide in 2018 by a small group of people keen to save plastic from landfill and to help those in need overseas.
Since then, it has grown into a large national community, achieving significant practical outcomes in terms of recycling and provision of wheelchairs, and bringing people together with beneficial social and educational outcomes.
The charity has set up a network of 500+ collection points where their recycling partners accept 250kg of sorted bread tags each month. Proceeds from these donations are retuned to Aussie Bread Tags, who use raised funds to provide wheelchairs to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.
Finalists:
MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE
Established in 1997, the Marine Discovery Centre has emerged as a beacon of marine science education in South Australia.
Today, with an annual visitation of 10,000 individuals through school and community visits, the Centre fosters environmental consciousness and cultural appreciation in South Australians.
Through engaging marine exhibits and workshops highlighting Indigenous knowledge, the Centre encourages scientific curiosity and instils a profound respect for the ancient wisdom of Australia's First Peoples in managing marine ecosystems.
SA FERAL DEER ERADICATION PROGRAM
The SA Feral Deer Eradication Program was launched in 2022 with the ambitious target of eradicating feral deer in South Australia within 10 years.
Since then, more than 12,000 feral deer have already been removed from the South Australian landscape in coordinated control programs – that’s more than 25% of the state’s total population.
This early success is the result of the hard work of dedicated staff and a successful collaboration between private landowners, government and environment organisations.
INNOVATION AWARD
Winner: SA GRASSROOTS ECOSYSTEM (SAGE)
Over the past year, the South Australian Grassroots Ecosystem (SAGE) has emerged as a driving force in environmentalism in SA, achieving significant milestones in its mission to foster sustainability through community collaboration and new technologies.
At the heart of SAGE's success lies its innovative approach to engagement, providing a platform for diverse voices to come together, share ideas, and take action.
By fostering a sense of ownership and agency among the next generation, SAGE is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable future, where the voices of youth are heard and valued in environmental discourse and action.
Finalists:
DUNNART PRODUCTIONS
DunnART Productions offers innovative, creative programming, and environmental stewardship awareness in wildlife education.
From pioneering approaches of 360 footage and chatbot characters to their unwavering commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, DunnART continuously connects with audiences to inspire environmental change.
DunnART's innovative learning programs have been rolled out across Australia, reaching metropolitan and remote regions, and leaving an indelible mark on thousands of children, families, and communities.
GERRY BUTLER AND ROSINA POSSINGHAM
Gerry Butler, Chairman of Butterfly Conservation SA, and Adelaide artist and creative producer Rosina Possingham have created Herding Caterpillars - an extended reality experience that explores the life cycle of the Chequered Copper butterfly.
Using motion capture technology at Flinders University, with animated content produced by a team of specialists including 3D modellers, riggers, animators and VFX artists, the story is brought to life through intricate concept art that guides audiences into vibrantly imagined insect worlds.
The project has been brought into the virtual world by extended reality guru Damien Rompapas and his team at Brewed Engagement Extended Reality Labs.
LEIF JUSTHAM YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD
Winner: GEMMA DAWE
Gemma is an extraordinary young leader involved in a wide breadth of conservation-related efforts, including in science, direct action, arts, and movement and community building.
While studying a Bachelor of Environmental science full-time, she has organised a formidable list of events and founded or co-founded key communities including Fossil Free UofA, Tarni Tarnanthi/Rising Tide Adelaide, SAGE (South Australian Grassroots Ecosystem), and many more.
Gemma is an inspiring role model who leads with fierce determination, a robust moral compass, and a strong resolution for climate and social justice.
Finalists:
GERRY BAIN AND AUSSIE REDDEN
Gerry and Aussie are nature and climate champions who have built a strong, resilient community while working collaboratively with local businesses and organisations.
They have recruited hundreds of volunteers to participate in land care through Breathe Easy Revegetation Projects, engaging and encouraging many who have no previous involvement or experience in environmental action.
In a world where the climate and nature crises can feel incredibly overwhelming, Gerry and Aussie provide clear, mindful and effective ways South Australians can participate in the fight for nature and climate justice.
DR ISABELLE ONLEY
Isabelle is a passionate young person with a multi-disciplinary approach to conservation through engagement with policymakers, stakeholders, and on-ground managers.
In 2022, she completed her PhD thesis on the adaptive management of the threatened greater stick-nest rat, with many of her findings directly informing conservation of the species both in South Australia and interstate.
Alongside her work as a science communicator, Isabelle provided pro bono scientific consultation for the development of an educational children's theatre production on native wildlife, collaboratively earning the Inspiring SA Arts and Science Grant for DunnART Productions.