Wollombi, Branxton and Cessnock were a winning trio at the recent Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards.
At a ceremony dinner held in Murrurundi and attended by the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley and NSW Environment Protection Authority chair, Rayne de Gruchy, all three areas were recognised for projects that foster sustainability, heritage and community action.
Wollombi received a Heritage and Culture award for its historic cemetery. The application was made by Wollombi Tidy Valleys, a volunteer community group supported by Council that fundraises for environmental and historic projects in the Wollombi area.
Cessnock City Library was also recognised in the Heritage and Culture category, receiving an award for its historical record keeping. Cessnock Tidy Towns member and local resident, Deborah Barry nominated the library in support of its extensive local studies research, activities and programs.
In the Energy Efficiency Projects category, the Branxton Community Hall Committee, led by treasurer Helen Scott, received a Highly Commended award for the Branxton Community Hall solar panel project completed in 2019.
Cessnock City Mayor Bob Pynsent said it was a fantastic night of achievement and recognition of important community driven work in the Cessnock Local Government Area.
"It's always an honour working collaboratively with the community to achieve long term sustainable outcomes. Congratulations to the community members, groups and Council staff who have made these projects such a success," he said.
The Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards are a Keeping Australia Beautiful initiative that rewards the accomplishments of regional councils and their communities.
