Environmental activism awarded

ORGANISATIONS and individuals from across the Geelong region have been lauded for their work towards protecting the environment.

This year’s Community Environment Awards recipients have all done remarkable work in their own neighbourhoods, leading groundbreaking and impactful campaigns to protect nature and diversify the environment movement while working with very limited resources.

Environment Victoria presented the awards in Melbourne yesterday (Thursday, October 23).

Geelong Renewables not Gas (GRNG) and Friends of Anglesea River each received the impact award (group).

(GRNG) was formed in response to Viva Energy’s proposal to build a gas terminal in Corio Bay in 2021. The group has run a community campaign with the ACF, Geelong Sustainability and Environment Victoria.

GRNG focuses on advocating for renewable energy and electrification, educating the local community, and fighting against proposed gas terminals.

It has built up a diverse member base that includes residents directly affected by the proposal, individuals passionate about fishing and boating, and people concerned about pollution and the climate crisis

Friends of Anglesea River is using citizen science and a community organising approach to tackle the multiple, complex threats facing the Anglesea River, including acidification and fish kills.

The group has held ongoing cultural awareness raising events including arts and music elements drawing diverse community engagement to the threats facing the river, and driving a record 170 community submissions and petition signed by 1,700 community members to the Victorian Water Minister opposing Alcoa’s plans.

GRNG and Australian Conservation Foundation Geelong community organiser Lauren Dillon was lauded with the impact award (individual).

Within this space, she organised a panel event focused on Australia’s gas problem and the safety and dredging concerns associated with gas terminals.

She is also the co-founder of an Ecological Justice Alliance between 10 schools and has been involved in environmental advocacy since high school, and is passionate about mobilising community support for policy change.