Conservation Council WA December News 📫
View this email in your browser  Best wishes for the festive season from all of us here at CCWA, and thanks for all of your support this year and in the years to come. We couldn’t do it without you!We’ve got one last newsletter to wrap up the year with a recap of our most recent events and a couple of actions you can take today to support WA’s environment. Check it out. End of Year Celebration and Community Conservation Awards  On November 25 we held our End of Year Celebration and Community Conservation Awards at Kidogo Arthouse in Walyalup (Fremantle). It was wonderful to celebrate all that our movement has achieved this year together and recognise the outstanding contributions of some of the incredible members of our community!The winners of the 28th Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) Community Conservation Awards were announced as part of an evening of celebrations recognising the contributions of groups and individuals to environmental conservation. The awards selection committee received many nominations across eight separate categories.The honour of being the first person to receive the Dr Nic Dunlop Conservation Science Award went to Bruce Ivers, a volunteer with the WA Landcare Network, Bicton Environmental Action Group, and Friends of Ken Hurst Park. Mr Ivers runs his own small business, Trees Australia, through which he works with with students and young people to explore the science of tree planting. His work has seen more than 450,000 new seedlings planted by 6,000 school students!Other winners on the night included Kelly Ann Howlett (Outstanding Volunteer Award); Dylan Storer (Young Environmentalist Award); Jo Bussell and Urban Revolution (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award); Donna Chapman (John Oldham Conservation Employee Award) and the Denmark Environment Centre (Len Howard Community Group Award).Two new members of the CCWA Honours List were also unveiled, recognising an exceptional and sustained commitment to the Western Australian environment and which is open to employees or volunteers of CCWA and its member groups. Paddy Cullen and Anthony Collins were both recognised for their long-term contributions in their respective fields.Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you to our committed, inspired and courageous community, for all that you have done this year for conservation, climate action, and community building.Incoming CCWA President James Eggleston said “The CCWA Community Conservation Awards provide a fitting occasion to reflect on the year’s successes and struggles which are part and parcel of the work to protect WA’s natural environment. Our conservation sector is driven by the work of groups and volunteers who dedicate themselves to campaigning for the protection of the things that make WA such a special and unique place. It is hard and often demanding work which can span years, even decades. It is a privilege to be able to recognise those people and their enormous contribution to Western Australia.On behalf of CCWA, I would like to thank all the staff, member groups and volunteers for all their efforts in 2022 and to wish them a very happy and restful Christmas.” New CCWA President appointed CCWA is pleased to announce the appointment of James Eggleston as the new CCWA President following the 2022 Annual General Meeting in November.He steps into the role following the departure of long-standing president Dr Carmen Lawrence, who served the maximum-allowed two four-year terms under the charitable trust’s constitution.James brings a wealth of experience in the fields of conservation, technology, policy and research and has served on the CCWA Executive Committee for six years. He is also a councillor with the Australian Conservation Foundation, and describes himself as a dedicated conservationist. This passion for the protection of the natural world enthuses his pursuits in both his working and personal life – James can often be found hiking the Bibbulmun track on a weekend!“It’s a real honour to be able to step into the role of CCWA President, particularly following on from the incredible leadership of Carmen Lawrence, who has been exceptional as president for the past six years,” said James.“The importance of CCWA as the peak body for environment and conservation in our state has never been greater. Across Western Australia, the threats to our iconic flora and fauna, the fabric of what makes our state so unique, are multiplying by the day.“The impact of indiscriminate mining, industrialisation, emissions and the large scale destruction of our natural places is alarming and CCWA has a vital role to play as an independent, apolitical and not-for-profit body, committed to standing up for our environment.“This organisation has a proud track record of success, taking an active role the establishment of new environmental protections, national parks, marine parks, the commitment to ban native forest logging and much more. Alongside the Executive Committee and the Executive Director and CCWA staff, I look forward to meeting the many challenges and continuing this organisation’s key role in our state.”Alongside James, the 2022 CCWA AGM saw the election of a new executive committee, including five new members: Tim Clifford, Sophie McNeill, Katherine Helps, Jessie Parish and Felicity Bairstow. Lillian Ryan and Jason Parish remain as Vice President and Honorary Treasurer respectively, while committee members Caroline Perks and Paul Jarvis have stepped down to pursue other projects and commitments. Long serving Honorary Secretary Lou Scampoli has also reluctantly stepped down from his position with a new secretary to be appointed in 2023.“I would like to express my sincere thanks, on behalf CCWA, for the hard work and dedication Caroline, Paul and Lou have shown as members of the Executive Committee.” said James. “Each of them have been incredibly generous in giving their time and expertise to help guide this organisation and in support of its important work. “All committee members are volunteers who dedicate their spare time to the role and I know I speak for the many involved in conservation across our state that their efforts and hard work are greatly appreciated.”The full committee list can be found here:SEE THE LISTDanjoo Koorliny Social Impact Summit CCWA spent two incredible days from November 30th – December 1st at the at the Poolgarla Parklands in Kings Park for the Danjoo Koorliny Social Impact Summit. Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together is a large-scale, long-term, systems-change project designed and led by Aboriginal leaders to help us all walk together towards 2029 (200 years since colonisation in Perth) and beyond.The summit is an annual event that brings people together to inspire a large-scale systems change, designed to help us all become better carers of everything through shifting cultural, social, environmental and economic outcomes.It’s hard to find the words to describe how inspiring the summit was. This year’s theme was Caring for Boodja, By Us, For Us, With Us. We heard from many of the incredible Aboriginal organisations, Elders, scientists, rangers, volunteers and youth that are caring for Country across our beautiful state. A common theme was that our relationship with Country needs to be a personal one and we should care for Country like we care for our kin. The importance of long-term plans, strategies and partnerships were also highlighted, and country, community and culture should be our forever goals. Two-way learning (western science combined with Indigenous knowledge) is key to bringing about transformative change, and it’s essential that we learn from Traditional Owners about how to engage and come on Country.Two days packed with knowledge sharing, connecting, bird song and many emotions. The highlight for our team was the youth panel, the Boorloo Young Working Party – truly inspiring, passionate and connected emerging leaders!Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) Retreat We are very excited to announce CCWA and WELA are partnering to launch a new leadership program tailored for women and gender diverse people working for positive change to meet the climate and environment crises we face. Applications are now open!WELA’s leadership programs support participants to identify their own approach to leadership, to recognise and step into their power to influence, and to overcome the barriers they face. These barriers are as diverse as the women who do our programs, including personal, organisational, family, cultural and systemic barriers. Following the program, participants are empowered by the lessons they’ve learnt and inspired by the transformative experience and relationships forged through it.The event will bring together 20 women and gender diverse people from Friday, 3 March to Monday, 6 March 2023 at Anapana Ridge retreat centre in the Perth Hills. This year’s program is specifically designed to support those working across different sectors tackling the big environmental issues facing WA.The WELA Leadership Intensive for CCWA is a unique opportunity made possible through philanthropic support. Please circulate this information to your colleagues and networks who you think are ready to grow their leadership capacity for our planet. Do you know a woman or gender diverse person in your community who’s ready to bring their unique leadership approach to the biggest environmental challenges we face? You can share this exciting opportunity with them, or apply below!APPLY NOWTogether We Can book launch Our final event for the year was the Together We Can book launch held on December 8 at the atmospheric Chesterfield Lounge in Fremantle. We had a fantastic turnout for this event where Claire O’Rourke spoke about her exciting new book Together We Can – sharing inspiring stories about people around Australia who are taking action on climate change.Claire spoke at length about how to have more productive conversations around difficult topics such as climate change, and how taking action via land-care, building community resilience, emissions reductions, cleaning up democracy and more can offer personal and communal relief in the face of the climate emergency.Claire was also joined by renowned marine scientist Dr Julia Reisser (one of many inspirational features in Claire’s book), co-founder of ULUU – a company aiming to eradicate global plastic pollution via its compostable, biodegradable, seaweed-derived polymer.The intimate conversation with Claire and Julia was a wonderful way to end the year. With an overriding sentiment of optimism and courage, those in attendance heard numerous stories of how people have overcome climate grief, communal tragedy, loneliness, and individualism to become part of the swathe of the non-heroic, citizen-led contributors we need to overcome our environmental and social predicaments.Have your say on plans to expand the 10c Container Deposit SchemeThe State Government is welcoming comments from West Aussies about plans to expand the 10 cents Container Deposit Scheme – also known as Containers for Change. Under the plans, seven new types of containers could be accepted at Container For Change refund points across WA. These will include:Grape wine and spirits in glass bottles 150ml to 3LGrape wine in plastic containers 250ml – 3LGrape wine in sachets 250ml – 3LGrape wine in casks 1-3LWater in casks 1-3LConcentrated fruit and vegetable juice and flavoured milk 1L to 3LCordial 150ml to 3L in all containersThe WA Government estimates the proposal would see an extra 140 million containers available for refund each year. CCWA has welcomed the plans, but wants to see more investment in recycling across our state – including improving and expanding the network of Container Deposit Scheme sites.For more information and to have your say, click here:HAVE YOUR SAYAnd that’s a wrap!Thanks so much for all that your support – we’ll see you in the new year.We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians and first storytellers of the land this newsletter was created on – the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and acknowledge the important role First Nations people play in caring for country and advancing a more sustainable Western Australia.Copyright (C) 2022 Conservation Council of WA. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to our news updates. Our mailing address is: Conservation Council of WA2 Delhi StWEST PERTH, WA6005AustraliaAdd us to your address bookWant to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe |