Record Number of Finalists in Banksia Awards as NSW Edges Past Vic for the First Time

2012 has produced a record number of finalists, an overall 18% growth. “It reflects the high quality of projects and programs that are being undertaken in Australia at this time” says Graz van Egmond Executive Director of the Banksia Environmental Foundation.

This year New South Wales has broken Victoria’s dominance with the highest number of finalists. There are 21 finalists representing New South Wales compared with 18 representing Victoria. Queensland has 10 finalists, Tasmania four, Northern Territory and Western Australia three and South Australia one. 

More than just an acknowledgement, the Banksia Awards are an opportunity to highlight what is possible and what is being achieved to the wider Australian community. Whilst views about climate change, the environment and everyone’s role are more diverse than they have been at any time over the past ten years. The record number of finalists indicates that there are still many Australians, doing amazing things in their everyday lives to enhance Australia’s environmental sustainability.

 “Today when everyone is cutting back, the Banksia Awards are more important than ever. It brings to the public’s attention a positive message - ‘things are happening more and more sustainably’”, continues Graz van Egmond, “and more importantly it provides inspiration for future excellence and innovation”.

This year’s finalists are representatives from a diverse array of groups and corporations.
The Leading in Sustainability - Setting the Standard for Large Organisations Award category is represented by some leading Australian organisation such National Australia Bank, Treasury Wine Estates, Spotless Group, Interface, Qantas, Melbourne Water, Monash University, Sunshine Coast Council and Woolworths Limited.

There are finalists such as Zoos Victoria's Wipe for Wildlife use humour to engage the community with Australian fauna species, calling on families to switch to recycled toilet paper to help local wildlife. Other finalists are from areas not traditionally associated with water conservation such as abattoir owners R Radford and Son looking at abattoir waste, water recovery and reuse. It is fascinating to learn that CHEP has a program to deliver a sustainable food supply chain not just from paddock to plate but back again.

Winners will be announced on 26 October 2012 at the gala presentation held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and featured at the public Banksia Forum on 27 October 2012.