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Bindi Irwin has received the first ever ‘Young Achiever’ Award at the 2015 Queensland Premier’s Sustainability Awards presentation dinner in Brisbane.

The presentations, which showcase leaders in sustainability innovation, practice and promotion, also saw the Nambour Rugby Union Football Club presented with the ‘Community’ Award for turning an old landfill site into an organically-certified sporting field.

Club representatives were presented with their Award at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the club on the award and its commitment to embrace change by giving an old landfill site a second chance.

Commenting on Nambour RUFC's achievement, Queensland Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles stated “thanks to some visionary thinking this small sporting club has not only created a healthier playing environment, it's saving money on expensive herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers and has also reduced the need for irrigation.

"Nambour RUFC has gone even further in its move towards economic, social and environmental sustainability with energy saving LED field and security lighting, rainwater tanks, instant gas for hot water showers and a program to recycle and sell aluminium drink can waste."

The ‘Young Achievers’ award category was added to the Premier’s Sustainability Awards list for the first time this year in the interest of acknowledging the exceptional work and leadership by Queensland’s emerging sustainability champions.

Recognised for her leadership and efforts to promote sustainability and environmental conservation, Bindi Irwin impressed judges through her inspirational work with her family and their non-profit charity, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, in engaging younger generations to be actively involved in the conservation of wildlife and wild places.

She continues to spread her conservation message far and wide while in the USA working on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars season 21, promoting all things Queensland.

Unable to attend the presentation dinner, Irwin was thrilled to have won such an esteemed award.

She explained “this is such an honour, I am truly touched to receive this award.

“On behalf of myself and my family, we will continue to dedicate our lives to do everything that we can for wildlife and wild places worldwide.”

Almost 120 nominations were received across the Awards’ 10 categories, a strong sign that Queenslanders are embracing sustainability not just in business, but as an everyday, essential way of life.

Each category winner received a handsome trophy designed and created by Queensland artist Mick Zalesky using recycled materials to symbolise new beginnings for sustainable growth.

Winners also received $2500 to support ongoing sustainability projects.

List of winners:

• Premier’s Award – Teys Australia – Major multi-site renewable energy development and wastewater upgrade 
• Minister’s Award for Leadership in Sustainability – Alby Wooler – Capricorn Coast Junior Landcare Passport Program 
• Community Award – Nambour Rugby Union Football Club – giving an old landfill a second chance 
• Built Environment Award – Robert McVicker – The Vicker Ridge 
• Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award – Southern Oil Refining – Northern Oil Refinery 
• Rural Award – Mt Pleasant Station – Purpose Driven Not Profit Driven 
• Business Eco-efficiency Award – Teys Australia – Major multi-site renewable energy development and wastewater upgrade 
• Sustainability in Education Award – Hilder Road State School – The Fish Creek Project 
• Young Achiever’s Award – Bindi Irwin – Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors 
• Sustainable Heritage Award – Hanworth House – Extensive restoration of Hanworth House
• Small Business Award – Twisted Gum Wines – Sustainable Dry Land Vineyard 

For more information go to www.ehp.qld.gov.au

12th June 2015 - SUNSHINE COAST PROMOTION TO FOCUS ON ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS

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