In December, we got together to celebrate the winners of our 2024 Environment Volunteer Awards.
One of the award categories was for Rise & Shine, the city’s longest-running environmental clean-up program. It was first established in 1986, following the actions of one community member who exemplified the spirit of Rise & Shine.
In 1986, at the age of 70, the late Basil Ryan collected 110 bags of rubbish from a spot near his home in West Wollongong. Using his ingenuity to use a rope pulley system to lift and load the bags for removal, he managed to clean up his community and inspire a volunteer program that continues to this day.
Over the years, Rise & Shine has seen hundreds of community volunteers and organisations roll up their sleeves to protect their environment. It has also inspired other Council-run volunteer programs such as Bushcare, FiReady and Dunecare, which work together to rally the community to solve environmental issues.
The 2024 award recipients are:
Rise & Shine Awards
- Basil Ryan Award: Dilys Hoser, Rotary Club of Corrimal Environment Group
Dilys' work in coordinating the clean ups undertaken by Corrimal Rotary is second to none. Each week Rise and Shine support her work as she conducts weekly (at least) clean ups all over the Wollongong LGA.
- Community Group Business Award: Yours and Owls
The relationship with Yours and Owls started in 2018 and has led to numerous plantings and clean ups events across the Wollongong area. They have been committed to environmental outcomes since their formation and have brought a new generation of volunteers along to Rise & Shine events as well as Bushcare events. - Citizen Award: Rosemary Bowden
From raising funds as part of the Wollongong Doll club to contribute to schools and hospitals, to supporting community gardens within schools Rosemaire does so much for the community. This award recognises her efforts in coordinating and supporting Rise & Shine and Clean Up Australia Day events for the past 23 years. - Silver Award: Craig Morris
Craig coordinated a clean-up of the Mt Keira and Mt Kembla areas that saw over 5 tonnes of waste removed including 237 tyres. - Silver Award: Bellambi Dunes Bushcare Group
The Bellambi Dunes Bushcare group to continue to excel in not only protecting the natural environment through Bushcare but being a huge contributor over many years, in removing waste throughout the dunes and foreshores area of Bellambi. - Silver Award: Georgia Watson
Georgia created partnerships over the year with the Surfers for Climate Illawarra youth summit in May and organising the hugely successful World Ocean Day clean up on North Wollongong Beach. Her passion for the environment has led to her harnessing the efforts of the broader community in assisting the Rise and Shine program and coordinating clean ups of our beautiful foreshores to make Wollongong a cleaner and more beautiful place.
FiRewards
- Golden Trowel / FiReady Volunteer of the Year: David O’Brien
David began volunteering with the Natural areas program, through Garden Ave Bushcare before joining his neighbours to support the FiReady group in the adjoining reserve over a decade ago. He is an efficient and hard-working volunteer who contributes monthly to the group, in addition to general maintenance and oversight around the clock. David’s objective has always been to enhance community bushfire safety, with an ecologically sensitive approach. A true caretaker of the reserve, treating weeds, reducing bushfire hazards, planting trees and removing large volumes of rubbish from the creek line and bushland areas.
Bushcare Awards
- Golden Trowel / Bushcare Volunteer of the Year: Ian McKinlay
A member of our Bushcare community that attends more than their fair share of Bushcare groups. Not satisfied with supporting his own group as a coordinator he also assists other groups throughout the Bushcare community. His ability to involve community and connect people with their site is outstanding. Recently visiting their group, not only were there so many volunteers but they were all so happy and engaged. At times a challenging Bushcare site to navigate at Hewitts Creek, he continues to work towards restoring and conserving our natural areas across the LGA.
- Anders Bofeldt Award: Daniel Pritchard
This award is in memory of Anders Boefeldt, a talented and self-trained botanist. Daniel is a worthy recipient for his commitment to Bushcare volunteering and emerging as a leader within the bush regen community with his career. - Community Spirit Award: Banksia Bushcare
The group continues to foster amazing community support and involves students, international travellers and the wider community in their site. A mix of conservation and art the site is a must visit.
Dunecare Awards
- Dunecare Volunteer of the Year: Jan Arrone
Her passion for the dune vegetation community is infectious and she supports a midweek group that continues to grow and target Bitou bush amongst others weeds throughout Puckeys. When I first met with Jan onsite at Puckeys I had no idea the impact that that interaction would have throughout the Puckeys Dunes vegetation community. From dense thickets of Bitou to now stable Acacia and Banksia vegetation, her efforts are to be commended.
Many of Council's services rely on the support of volunteers. Watch the below video to hear from some of the great people who volunteer their time in different way.
To get involved with any of these programs, visit Volunteering page or contact the team on 4227 7111.