Page 118 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 8 February 2022

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The second award, the ACT Environmentalist of the Year for 2021, was awarded to John Ive. John has dedicated over 40 years to developing, demonstrating and promoting the importance of environmental enhancement for achieving agricultural production objectives on his family’s property. John has increased native vegetation and conservation areas, excluding domestic livestock from more than 30 per cent of the property, and conserving key ecosystems within the region, both on his property and in neighbouring areas. Congratulations, John.

I would also like to acknowledge the other nominees for this award, Millie Sutherland Saines, Jean Casburn, Dr Brook Clinton, Kirsty Young, Dr Don Fletcher, Dr Janet Salisbury, and Linda Groom, who received a highly commendable certificate for her integral role in the campaign to protect Kosciuszko National Park from the impacts of introduced horses. Congratulations to you all.

I know that there were many deserving groups for the last award, Conservation Council Member Group of the Year, but the recipient for 2021 was 350 Canberra. 350 Canberra has been active since 2014, working to promote climate action through their divestment, StopAdani, Artivism and Fridays4Future campaigns. The group consists entirely of volunteers who have met weekly since 2014. Their main focus is to slow the extraction and burning of fossil fuels until the fossil fuel industry is replaced with renewables and other energy industries. Congratulations to 350 Canberra and all of your members.

All of the winners and nominees for the ACT Environment Awards 2021 showed great dedication and commitment to protecting our environment. It is wonderful to be able to acknowledge their significant efforts which make such a difference. But they are not alone. I would also like to acknowledge the important work of many hundreds of other people who also volunteer their time, effort and expertise to preserve our precious environment here in the ACT. This may be individually or as part of a friends group, land group or other association. Without their valuable efforts to pull up weeds, pick up litter, plant trees, preserve paths, count and monitor wildlife and many more tasks—without these significant efforts by so many—our environment would be much poorer and less diverse. Thank you all for making such a difference.

Mr Victor Marillanca—Ohtli Award

MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra—Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Minister for Human Rights and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (5.13): I rise to speak briefly this evening to recognise the recent incredible recognition that a well-known community member, volunteer, supporter and friend to many in this place, Mr Victor Marillanca, recently received.

On 30 November 2021 Victor received the Ohtli Award. This is an annual award from the Mexican government, administered through its Department of Foreign Affairs, which recognises the contribution that a citizen not living in Mexico has made in giving assistance to Mexican nationals or promoting Mexican culture. The Ohtli Award is the highest honour granted by the Mexican government to those individuals


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