Keep Victoria Beautiful (KVB) has announced Greater Geelong as the overall winner of the Keep Victoria Beautiful 2021 Sustainable Cities Awards at a virtual event held on Thursday 2 December 2021.

Running in Victoria since 2005, the Sustainable Cities program sets out to recognise and celebrate positive actions taken by communities in urban areas to protect and enhance their local environments. They encompass initiatives as diverse as litter prevention, recycling, protection of the environment, preserving heritage and indigenous culture, community action, leadership, education and social well-being programs.

In 2021, the awards are proudly supported by Awards Online.

Sabina Wills, Keep Victoria Beautiful CEO, is very proud of the Sustainable Cities Awards’ history.

“This is KVB’s 16th annual metropolitan event, and we are excited to celebrate the fantastic achievements and spirit of communities and Councils, which remain strong during such difficult and challenging times,” said Ms Wills.

“These awards instil optimism and highlight positive outcomes even during times of hardship.

“This year’s Overall winner, Greater Geelong, demonstrated great collaboration with the local community, business and industry to deliver a diverse and exciting array of projects highlighting a very strong commitment to developing and implementing sustainable practices and strengthening their local communities well-being.”

Enzo Bruscella, Keep Victoria Beautiful board member, congratulated Greater Geelong on undertaking some exceptional projects, which foster and support not only the community’s growth, but also set a positive environmental legacy for future generations.

“It is fantastic to see the high-calibre of finalists hailing from metro areas all over Victoria, entering this year’s competition. It highlights the importance of both council and community action,” added Mr Bruscella.

Greater Geelong also won the Energy Award category (Council); Environment Award category (Council); and Waste Award category (Council).

A number of Community led projects in the Greater Geelong regions were also named winners in categories ranging from the Social Well-Being Award to Litter Award.

The inspiring Young Legends Award, which recognises a group or individual aged 25 years or younger who has shown outstanding commitment in taking action in environmental and community initiatives benefiting urban communities, was presented to Sam Higgins.

Through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, and the ABC, Sam’s trike riding has demonstrated the new heights that can be reached by young people with disabilities. ‘The Trike that Stops the Nation’ is a series of six digital interviews, with Sam talking to other young people with disabilities, giving them a voice and platform to show what they are capable of achieving.
The Sustainable Cities Awards judges were impressed by the high standard of Young Legends.

“The Awards bring to our attention the up-and-coming young people who are making a difference across a range of community endeavours. These young individuals are future leaders who influence their peers and community.”

Paula McIntosh, a teacher and waste educator at Melbourne Girls’ college, was presented with the prestigious Dame Phyllis Frost Award for her tireless work in creating a zero waste to landfill school environment and community.

This year, the Sustainable Cities program received 97 entries from 29 council areas. This included 122 volunteer groups that contributed a whopping 252,220 volunteer hours to their communities.