Celebrating our people

Every year we recognise individuals who have given an outstanding or meritorious contribution, service or assistance to advancing our mission and vision through our Staff, Landholder and Volunteer Awards.

Our 2016 award winners were recognised at a ceremony in Melbourne on the 15th of November. These were:

Cumberland Dodds Award: Mick Durant
Mick has been an integral part of our South Australian team for fifteen years during which he has worked across a diverse portfolio of projects. He is able to see the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, taking these into account when developing and delivering projects. Mick has an extensive knowledge of the local landscapes which he readily shares with others. He is passionate about empowering staff by helping them to understand ecological processes and focus on big-picture outcomes.

Mick Durant

New Leader Award: Glen Steven
Glen is a Project Officer in the South West of Western Australia who goes above and beyond in all his work. He is a leader in direct seeding technology, leads the use of Geographic Information Systems and is helping to manage three of our properties in the Gondwana Link. With his self-help approach, ability to problem solve and unwavering good humour, Glen is leading by example.

Glen Steven

People and Culture Award: Suzanne Branchett
Suzanne has been an integral part of our Brisbane team. She has worked in a number of roles, but most importantly she has always been committed to team culture and had continued focus and attention to heath, wellbeing and safety.  Suzanne has demonstrated accountability and commitment to the Health and Safety goal of “everyone goes home safely everyday”.

Suzanne Branchett

Volunteer Awards

Muzna Aishath
Muzna has been an invaluable asset to our Pilbara team for over six years and is a hardworking, tireless and dedicated volunteer. Everyone who comes into contact with Muzna is infected with her positive and caring attitude. She has assisted with a wide range of tasks including cooking meals for events, helping in the nursery, manning market stalls, and collecting and cleaning seed.

Trevor Bendall
Trevor is a committed volunteer with a wealth of knowledge and a diverse skill set. During his thirteen years with our Townsville team, Trevor has used his mentoring and leadership skills to assist younger participants through programs such as Work for the Dole, helped to establish many partnership programs, and played a core role in the hub winning the Inclusive Communities Award in 2011.

John Sutton 
John is a retired farmer, who has been volunteering with our Canberra team for over a decade. He is now in his late eighties, but still joins the Green Team every week whenever he can to help with planting. John approaches all tasks with a smile and willingly helps out new volunteers and shows them the ropes.

Dave Watson
Dave, described by our as Adelaide hub as “indispensable”, has been working with Greening Australia for over seven years.  During that time, he has had a hand in producing high quality seedlings every year, as well as fixing or building anything the hub requires. Dave is a committed and reliable volunteer who brings a wealth of experience to his work.

Meg Cook
Meg has been a valuable member of our Adelaide team for over seven years, during which time her contribution has been of a consistently high standard. Each year she assists with our annual tree planting day, as well as in the nursery where she has cultivated over 100,000 plants. Meg is a kind-hearted volunteer who always ensures that new volunteers feel welcome and supported.

From left to right: Meg Cook, Dave Watson, Muzna Aishath and John Sutton.

Chris Jones Land Stewardship Award: David Franklin
David is one of Australia’s great restoration innovators who has been working for years to establish native seed production areas on his property on the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Most notably, he has implemented a method of producing high volumes of native grassland seed. His pioneering work is increasing opportunities for the restoration of local grasslands and wetlands which provide critical habitat for many endangered species.

David Franklin

Click here to view our 2016 Life Members.