Why Should Not for Profits Enter the Premier’s Sustainability Awards?

New research commissioned by Sustainability Victoria shows that over 90 per cent of Victorians want government, business and industry to be involved in environmental projects and to tackle climate change.

Sustainability Victoria chief executive, Stan Krpan says the Premier’s Sustainability Awards provide a channel for passionate individuals, communities and businesses to share their great work with all Victorians.

“One of the great ways that sustainable Victorians in the not-for-profit sector can demonstrate their commitment is by entering the annual Premier’s Sustainability Awards,” he said.

“With 10 categories in this year’s program, there’s an opportunity for a range of organisations to celebrate their sustainability leadership with the wider Victorian community.”

Previous finalists from the community sector say their involvement in the awards has led to improved staff morale, acknowledged green credentials with their customers and stronger relationships in their communities.

Voice of the Valley won the Environmental Justice category in the 2016 awards. Formed in the wake of the 2014 Hazelwood mine fires, the group continues to be a voice for their community across a range of issues.

Spokesperson Wendy Farmer said that the Premiers Sustainability Award helped open doors to meaningful and productive discussions with key stakeholders, in government, enterprise and community areas.

“Entering the awards was an easy process, support was always available if assistance was needed. The formal recognition of the awards brought the Voices of the Valley team closer together by being recognised for what we had done towards environmental justice and what our community needed,” she said.

“Networking at the event, plus learning from and about the innovative projects that were presented by other nominees was rewarding and instructive. We were able to take some of the ideas back to share and use as reference points with productive meetings with NGOs and government and other interested community groups.

“The Premier’s Sustainability Award assisted us in gaining a seat at the table.”

AMES Australia and partner Parks Victoria were finalists in the 2016 Environmental Justice category for supporting asylum seekers and refugees through the establishment of their productive, commercial, multi-cultural Werribee Park community garden.

Marketing and communications manager at AMES Australia, Peter Kelly says that entering the Premier’s Sustainability Awards was a “terrific way to promote community integration and social inclusion”.

“This project is a great example of how AMES Australia engages our clients from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds with meaningful activities, provides them opportunities for work experience and helps them build connections with local communities,” he said.

Each year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards promotes the success stories of businesses, organisations, community groups and social enterprises that have introduced sustainability into what they do, providing great role models for all.

“People all over the not-for-profit sector are doing really fantastic and innovative things in sustainability,” Krpan said.

“With community support for climate change action at a record high, now is the time for you to enter your sustainability project in Victoria’s most high profile environmental awards program and be recognised for your contribution.”

As well as awards in each of the 10 categories, the Premier will select two overall winners for the Premier’s Regional Recognition and the top award, the Premier’s Recognition Award.

Entries close Wednesday 21 June 2017.

For more information about how to enter the awards, get hints and tips on what makes a compelling entry, to hear from other previous winners and finalists or to book for a free information session, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au