House on shortlist

By Lachlan Ellis

A local not-for-profit community centre has been shortlisted for a state award, with seven other groups also listed in its category.

The Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre has been nominated for an ‘EPA Waste Prevention and Reduction Award’, one of the categories in this year’s Tidy Towns & Cities Sustainability Awards.

Now in its 41st year, the Sustainability Awards recognise, celebrate and share environmental achievements and strong community spirit right across Victoria, and are run by Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria.

The Darley Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre has been shortlisted for its ‘Bacchus Marsh Circular Economy Community Hub’ project, a group of programs which coordinator Amber Kennedy says has saved more than 200 kilograms of recyclables from going into landfill.

“The project was sort of the overarching term we use for the Marsh Mender Repair Café, as well as the Mini Thingery we’re looking to start, and being a collection point for recyclable items. It encompasses everything we want to do with the project, and the Marsh Mender is one part of that,” Ms Kennedy said.

“The Thingery is like a mini tool library, we’re also taking in things like bread tags, bottle tops, and blister packs to recycle. So, the shortlisting is for all those things that are happening for a more sustainable world here in Darley.”

The Neighbourhood House also runs workshops focusing on sustainability, and repairing and repurposing items rather than throwing them out.

Ms Kennedy said the Neighbourhood House’s work was all about helping people out, but recognition with the shortlisting was fantastic, and winning the EPA Waste Prevention and Reduction award would be even more rewarding.

“With a project like this, helping one person or recycling one bottle top, sometimes it’s hard to see the bigger picture. So, recognition or awards can let you know you’re on the right track, or someone’s seeing it and it’s making a difference. If we did win, that acknowledgement of all the work or volunteers and staff are doing is being seen would be fantastic,” she said.

“It’d also be a chance for more coverage for people to see what we’re doing, and maybe want to be involved. We’re really appreciative of our volunteers, staff, menders, and the fantastic businesses in the area putting their hand up and supporting the project so far. We’d love to hear from other businesses who want to get involved, get their name out there, and share their skills.”

Finalists in each category will be revealed on September 13, 2023, and the winners announced at the prestigious Tidy Towns and Cities Awards Ceremony, to held at ZINC at Federation Square, Melbourne on October 23, 2023.

The event promises to be an evening of celebration and recognition, honouring the outstanding contributions made by these remarkable individuals and organisations. Tickets to the ceremony go on sale 13 September.

For more information on the 2023 Tidy Towns & Cities Sustainability Awards, visit www.kabvic.org.au/sustainabilityawards.