SAVEWATER! AWARDS

Now in their seventh year, the savewater! Awards® are a way in which water-saving stars from around Australia can be recognised and rewarded for their outstanding efforts. The awards program showcases innovation in water conservation by businesses, government, schools, local communities and individuals.

The prestigious savewater! Awards® is regarded as the leading water sustainability awards in Australia, with the 2009 program attracting over 700 entries. The first ever international category – Product Innovations – saw a number of eligible entries from the UK, USA, Africa, India, New Zealand and Canada.

Winning a savewater! Award® has helped many companies and individuals spread the water conservation message and assisted other members of the community to use water more efficiently. Some companies have even had business and funding opportunities develop as a result of winning an award.

This year was the first year savewater!® has held the awards ceremony outside of Melbourne. The gala black tie dinner was held in Sydney at Darling Harbour’s Doltone House, on October 9.

Winners

Built Environment & Gardens
Jerry Coleby-Williams

This award acknowledges the role of design and construction in achieving a long-term sustainable water system. It focuses on completed building developments and gardens (either residential or commercial) that have incorporated water saving features and are achieving water savings.

Business Award
Small Business (less than 50 staff) – Dugine Native Plant Nursery
Large Business (more than 50 staff) – ManheimFowles Pty Ltd

The business award recognises outstanding water savings achieved by businesses. This category targets demonstrated innovation and achievement in the reduction of water used.

Community Action
Croydon Tennis Club/Joseph Gauci & John Ball

Recognised in their community as a leader in water conservation, the winner of this award will have achieved outstanding water savings and demonstrate a long-term commitment to efficient water use.

Educational Institutions
Ecolinc Science and Technology Innovations Centre, Bacchus Marsh

Education tools and programs in schools play a vital role in achieving long-term attitudinal and behavioural change to water and the way we use it. This category is open to schools and other educational institutions that have exhibited and implemented water conservation tools and programs in their school or institution.

Government
Water Corporations – Western Water
Other Utilities – Melbourne Market Authority

Acknowledges achievement and a strong ongoing commitment by a local authority, state or federal government agency/department, to reducing its own or community water use.

International Product Innovations Award
Australian Product – Davey Water Products
International Product – Dry Planet Ltd (UK)

This category rewards the development and commercialisation of innovative products that minimise water consumption. Products can include (but are not limited to) domestic appliances, consumer products, commercial equipment, washing systems, water storage, irrigation etc.

Young Achiever
Leon Harvey – Melbourne Water

This award recognises an individual, less than 30 years of age, who has made outstanding contributions to water conservation. The individual does not necessarily have to work in the water industry; they could be an environmental advocate at their workplace who has implemented water saving programs. Young engineers, communication and marketing practitioners, and anyone who feels they have made a significant contribution to water conservation were encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity for aspiring leaders to be recognised.

Photographic Award
Primary – Hannah Mossop, Bacchus Marsh Primary School
Secondary – Georgia Wiggs, The peninsula School (equal first); Suzanne Mackie, Charlesville State High School (equal first)
General – Annette Blattman, NSW

The photographic award is designed to recognise creative digital talent by capturing water conservation imagery as the key focus.

Visit:

www.savewater.com.au