Two Peninsula residents win environment awards
Two Peninsula residents have won awards from the regional environment group, the Community Environment Network.
They are community activist and ACF Central Coast group president Mr Mark Ellis and Mingaletta elder Ms Coral Roberts.
Both won "Be a Team", or BAT, awards at the organisation's annual Networking Night on Friday, November 17.
Mr Ellis won the 2023 Best 12th Man or Woman Award as "somebody who has worked quietly in the background to support others in the from line and help keep them afloat".
Network deputy chair Mr John Asquith said the awards used the terminology of cricket to emphasise the importance of teamwork and showing up when working to protect nature and advocating for sustainability.
Mr Asquith said: "Mark Ellis has been quietly ever-present at community meetings, council meetings, rallies, workshops, drop-in sessions and community consultations.
"His main interest has been the Wamberal seawall, a campaign he has been a part of since the 1990s.
"He is convenor of ACF Central Coast and a member of many other committees, working groups and community environmental initiatives.
"Mark is not a grandstander.
"He works consistently and quietly and is deserving of being this year's 12th Man."
Mr Asquith said the 2023 Rookie of the Year Award winner was Ms Coral Roberts.
He said the award went to a newcomer to the conservation movement who had contributed to the improvement of the region's environment and sustainability.
"Coral has pulled out all stumps to campaign to protect the trees in Austin Butler access at Woy Woy," he said.
"She has letterbox dropped, handed out flyers at train stations, gathered thousands of signatures on a petition, lobbied the local MP, attended events, spoken at council meetings and even spontaneously interrogated the Council Administrator over tea and bickies.
"You name it, she has done it.
"She is truly a Champion of the Austin Butler trees."
SOURCE:
Media release, 23 Nov 2023
Jackie Pearson, CEN