Sustainability awards

Indigo Sustainability Awards 2011

The winners of Indigo Sustainability Awards for 2011 were announced at the ceremony held Friday 14 October at the Department of Primary Industry’s Rutherglen Research Station. The event was well attended, with a lot of excitement in the air. 

Guests and nominees enjoyed a sustainable supper that featured local produce, as well as local organic wine and cider.  A presentation, A Meaningful Environment, by guest speaker Dr Scott Rawlings from the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability was a highlight of the night.

The distinctive trophies were designed and made by Osbornes Flat artist Ali Rowe, who used timber from a large red gum that blew over on her property and silver and gold wire to represent Indigo’s heritage.

The winners were:

Agriculture

Brimin Lodge – Philippa & Simon Noble

Philippa and Simon’s property is located in Brimin, just north of Rutherglen.  Their operations integrate production of trees for sawlogs with many other elements on their property including Murray Cod aquaculture, with the effluent produced used in the production of trees.

Business

1860 Luxury Accommodation – Gina Bladon & Matt Pfarlert

This accommodation is located in Beechworth and has been constructed by salvaged materials.  The building itself is 150 year old rescued mountain hut sourced from farm at Taggarty.  The truss timbers and kitchen benches are from an old Albury warehouse, with many other building elements being recovered with local provenance.

Highly Commended

Rubens of Beechworth - Shannan Smith

In an industry typified by use of harsh chemicals – Rubens offers 100% Ammonia free hair and beauty services.  Ammonia is an extremely toxic chemical added to colour to help process artificial pigmentation – it causes skin irritation, damages hair, dries eyes and skin and is an environmental pollutant. 

Community

Yackandandah & District Historical Society - Brett McClellan (Vice President) & Susan Reynolds (President))

Following a fire in December 2006 that gutted the museum building, the Committee decided that it had a responsibility to members and community to operate in more sustainable manner, with rebuilding providing the ideal opportunity.  Grants were received from Sustainability Victoria and YCDCo that enabled a range of energy efficiency initiatives implemented.  This included installation of 1.55kW PV to provide a substantial amount of the electricity requirements.

Education

Yackandandah Primary School - Kathy Petzke (Principal) and Brendan Hogan (Vice Principal)

In recognition of the need for new teaching and learning spaces as a result of significant increase in enrolments over past 10 years, the school participated in the Victorian Governments ‘Building Future' program. The new buildings have a suite of sustainable development design features including passive hydrothermal air-conditioning systems, soaring windows designed for solar penetration and ventilation.

Household

Highly Commended

Simone Engdahl

Located just outside Yackandandah Simone’s straw bale house has lead her on quite a journey.  The straw bale home built using many local materials with a view to have a small footprint and be energy efficient.  The house is solar passive with north facing living areas, has double glazed windows, second-hand bridge timber in doorways sourced from a local bridge builder, floor timber from Mt Beauty salvaged from mountain ash post '03 fires and many, many more sustainable features.  In addition, all domestic waste processed through worm farm septic systems with worm enhanced water pumped onto orchard and is off-grid, using a stand alone solar 1.8kW to power the house.