The NSW Government is calling for award nominations to recognise outstanding volunteers who devote their time to help manage Crown land reserves on behalf of their communities.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Crown Lands is sponsoring two categories of the 2021 Community Achievement Awards for Regional NSW & the ACT.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said nominations are open for another three weeks for the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award for outstanding community boards; and the Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award to honor outstanding individual volunteers.
"We are very fortunate in NSW to have more than 34,000 Crown reserves covering about 3.1 million hectares," Mrs Pavey said.
"They provide green open space for recreation, parks and walking trails, and homes for showgrounds, racecourses, surf lifesaving clubs, caravan parks and various community groups.
"We are indebted to thousands of Crown land manager volunteers who devote their time to help manage reserves to provide social, environmental and economic benefits to their local communities.
"These awards are a chance to share the many fantastic stories of regional achievement that are taking place in communities each day. If you know someone that deserves recognition for their efforts in making regional NSW and the ACT great, then I encourage you to make a nomination."
The Community Achievement Awards acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses make. Category winners will receive $2,000 worth of prizes, including an airtime package on PRIME7, along with a trophy, while every nomination receives a certificate of achievement.
Last year, the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award was won by Cobargo Showground which provided a community safe haven during the New Year's Eve fires on the Far South Coast.
The Individual Excellence winner was Kim Macdonald who is Vice President of the committee that manages Bobin Hall on the Mid North Coast. Ms Hall and her partner lost their farmhouse in a November 2019 bushfire, but fought to protect the hall using just a garden hose. The hall served as a community recovery centre.
To submit a nomination for the 2021 awards, visit Community Achievement Awards and select 'Nominate Now', or call 1300 735 445 and pass on nominee details.
