Banksia Environmental Foundation

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The Banksia Environmental Foundation is an Australian organization created in 1989 to support and confer recognition on individuals and organizations that make a positive contribution to the environment. The Foundation launched the annual Banksia Environmental Awards in the same year. The annual Banksia Awards are seen to be the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia.^[1]

1 The Banksia Award
- 1.1 History
- 1.2 Timeline
2 References
3 External links

[edit] The Banksia Award

The purpose of the awards is to recognise and reward individuals, community groups, businesses and government organisations for environmental excellence, raising awareness and encouraging others to follow the example set by the finalists and winners.

[edit] History

The Banksia Environmental Foundation was created in 1989 by a diverse group of 44 Australians who shared a common goal – to do more to support and recognise members of the community for their positive contribution to the environment.

To this end, they joined forces to launch a national environmental awards program, from Melbourne, that same year. Each of the original members devoted their time, skills and, in many cases, finances to get the Banksia Foundation and its awards program off the ground. After lengthy deliberation, the name Banksia was chosen because a Banksia tree cannot be destroyed. Even in fire it regenerates by re-seeding.

Their commitment and enthusiasm was such that, just seven weeks after the Foundation was formed, more than ninety nominations had been received for the inaugural Banksia Environmental Awards, which were presented at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

From the outset, the Banksia Environmental Foundation has remained an apolitical and non-confrontational organisation that endorses a cooperative approach to finding environmental solutions.

In the award program’s inaugural year in 1989, over ninety nominations for the awards were received.

[edit] Timeline

In 1989 the Awards began with 5 Category Awards.

In 1991 the first International award was presented.

In 1993 the Inaugural Gold Banksia Award was presented.

In 2001 the Prime Minister of Australia became the Chief Patron of the Banksia Awards and the Foundation expanded its award program to include The Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award.