Our National Coordinator, Lindsay Soutar, last week won the Environment Minister's 
Young Environmentalist of the Year 2011 from the Banksia Foundation.
Young Environmentalist of the Year 2011 from the Banksia Foundation.This is an important award that recognises young Australians who affect change at a local, national or international level. Previous awards have gone to the founders of Beyond Zero Emissions, Australian Youth Climate Coalition and the Centre for Sustainability Leadership. We're delighted that Lindsay's getting the kind of recognition she deserves for all the hard work she's done to build the 100% campaign. These are some of the judges' comments:
"Lindsay showed great courage in quitting her job and pursuing the 100% Renewable Community Campaign on her own with no guarantees. Through good community engagement, an inspiring commitment to her beliefs, aligned with a strong methodical approach and a very good strategy, Lindsay was able to tackle a significant issue and mobilise a grassroots movement effectively. Judges were impressed by the campaign's ability to connect communities from all around Australia together for greater influence, consultation and important dialogue."
But a point that was lost in the judge-speak is that without all the work done by the 'grassroots movement', Lindsay's work wouldn't amount to very much at all.
It's pretty clear that Lindsay wouldn't have received the award if it wasn't for the fantastic work of all the people who have contributed to the campaign. The 15,000 conversations around renewable energy, the meetings with and calls and emails to politicians, the media coverage generated in local papers all around the country... All of this work was what clinched this award and it was all work that was undertaken by committed people in local communities.
What the judges recognised was that right now Australia needs a strong movement of empowered citizens to drive the national debate on what kind of energy future we want in Australia. And that's what we've helped to achieve.
So, congratulations to Lindsay and thanks to all of you for all the work you've done as part of the 100% campaign so far.
Top: Lindsay in front with Sen. Matt Thistlewaite and Nicky Ison and Jenny Curtis, NSW Regional Organisers.
Bottom: Lindsay accepts the award.
