NEWS - BIAV wins at Victorian Coastal Awards

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) has won the Education award at the 10th Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence.

Hosted by the Victorian Coastal Council and Coast Action/Coastcare, the 2009 awards attracted 38 finalists across 11 different categories, including biodiversity conservation, integrated coastal and catchment management, and coastal culture.

The award for environmental education initiatives in coastal areas was won for the Marine Pest Project undertaken by BIAV project manager, Karen Bennet, over the past 18 months.

BIAV said it was one of six finalists for the award that was presented by Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda.

Other finalists for the award included Shell, Greening Australia and the City of Greater Geelong for the Limeburners Link project, and Phillip Island Nature Park for its Marine Education program.
Three schools were also finalists: Kunyung Primary School for Fostering Local Coastal Stewardship, Bairnsdale Secondary College for its coastal education within the curriculum, and Lorne Airey’s Inlet College for its work at the 2008 Youth Coastal Conference.

Minister Jennings said the annual awards recognised and acknowledged outstanding contributors to protecting and enhancing the values of Victoria’s coast.

“This year’s awards honour work of significant and lasting improvements, typically made by schools and community-based groups working on very modest means,” said Jennings.

“Their successes will inspire others to be involved, so I congratulate all winners and runner-ups for their very worthwhile efforts,” he said.

BIAV president, Gordon Howlett, accepted the award and said the win was a great recognition for the pioneering work his organisation had done to educate the boating community in the battle against the spread of marine pests.

He said the field of finalists included some tough opposition and the award was welcome recognition of BIAV’s commitment and efforts in taking on a significant and successful project to protect the marine environment.