Community Initiatives Recognised In Tidy Towns Awards

Orange has scored a number of wins in this year's Keep Australian Beautiful NSW Tidy Towns Awards presented in Bathurst.

The ceremony saw awards presented in 12 categories as well as for the overall Tidy owns Prize.

While Parkes won the main Tidy Towns prize and will go on to compete at the national awards in May next year, Orange took out the NSW overall Tidy Towns prize in the category for larger regional cities with a population more than 23,000 people.

Orange also took out awards in a number of subject categories:

• In the Circular Economy section, Orange's new 'Return and Earn' centre run by Wangarang Industries was the winner for larger regional cities.
• In the Community Spirit & Inclusion category, the Orange United Sports Club picked up a Highly Commended Award
• In the Liveable Towns category Orange's City Council's Community Vegetable Garden initiative won the prize for larger regional cities.
• In the Waste Avoidance category Orange High School's Don't Be Trashy waste campaign was the winner for larger regional cities.
• In the Heritage and Culture section, Orange's City Council's 'The Local Fallen' campaign won the prize for larger regional cities.

The 'Local Fallen' initiative saw forty street banners displayed along Summer Street in the lead up to Anzac Day this year to remember the sacrifice of local servicemen who were killed in action while serving in the armed forces during wartime.

Orange Mayor Tony Mileto has congratulated the local winners.

"There are so many brilliant community initiatives happening in Orange that contribute to what makes Orange such a fantastic place to live," Cr Tony Mileto said. "I was pleased to attend the awards ceremony in Bathurst and hear some of the stories behind these awards."

"We'll be looking for an opportunity to bring the award winners together in Orange to thank them and present some certificates."