Hawkesbury-Nepean volunteers win big at state awards

Hawkesbury resident Erin Rowe won gold as the Young Landcarer of Year, while Friends of Bungan Landcare Group based at Newport also took out gold in the Coastcare category.

Another three silvers and two bronzes went to Hawkesbury-Nepean volunteers.

"This is great recognition for our environmental warriors in the catchment and a really significant achievement," said John Klem, Chair of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA).

"These volunteers give so much of their spare time and energy to restoring our creeks, wetlands and bushland. We should all be proud of them and it is great to see them being rewarded at a State level."

Last year alone, the 125 landcare groups in the catchment contributed over $3 million of labour to environmental works through their 2,700-strong army of volunteers.

"Erin Rowe has made an outstanding contribution leading many Green Teams in western Sydney," said Mr Klem.

"Ms Rowe is a natural leader who has encouraged and inspired so many young people to do their bit for the environment.

"Friends of Bungan have been working since 1992 to manage and conserve a 7.5 hectare coastal dune system. They have played a vital role in the conservation of this large urban coastal reserve since that time," said Mr Klem.

Silver award winners in the catchment were Broken Bay Oysters from Mooney Mooney in the Primary Producer category and Robin Woods from the Hawkesbury Rainforest Network in Landcarer of the Year Award.

"The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority was also very honoured to win a silver award for our contribution to supporting landcare groups across the catchment over the past five years," said Mr Klem.

Picking up bronze awards also were the Northern Beaches Roadkill Prevention Committee and Ingleside Scout Camp.