Rainforest Rescue Supporters Shine at the 20th Cassowary Awards

Anniversary years are a reason to celebrate in more ways than one.

For Rainforest Rescue, turning 25 has allowed us to look back and recognise the wonderful supporter community that has driven a quarter of a century of action for rainforests.

But we’re not the only ones reaching a milestone. It’s also 25 years since the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) – the organisation responsible for managing the World Heritage Area that Rainforest Rescue calls ‘home’ – first bestowed its Cassowary Awards on worthy recipients who contribute to the region’s environment.

In fact, this year’s awards were the 20th edition, adding an extra sparkle to a prestigious accolade. The WTMA Cassowary Awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge and champion the dedication and hard work being done in the region, often away from the limelight in remote areas and challenging conditions.

 

The 20th Cassowary Awards Winners. ©WTMA

Community Celebration

Awards nights are a fascinating opportunity to experience how disparate people come together for a common purpose. The Cassowary Awards are no exception.

There is a great sense of community spirit amongst diverse backgrounds and roles that unite as advocates for the Wet Tropics. Rainforest Rescue spent time amongst academics, grass-roots fundraisers, labourers, politicians, Traditional Owners and volunteers – all with a passion for the natural environment and its unique aspects that have given it World Heritage status. In fact, the Cassowary Awards are the only one of their kind in Australia.

Each category of the Awards brings a different facet of the stewardship of the Wet Tropics to the fore, showcasing conservation, protection and awareness-raising by individuals and organisations in relation to: Climate Change Leadership; Education, Research and Innovation; Industry Excellence; People, Country and Culture; Community Champions; Conservation and Rehabilitation; Presentation and Storytelling; Young ‘Cassowaries’.

 

Worthy Winners

Rainforest Rescue is very proud to share that two of this year’s Cassowary Award Winners are part of our growing ‘family’ of active supporters.

 

Martin Stringer with his World Heritage Presentation Cassowary Award. ©Martin Stringer

World Heritage Presentation Award Winner – Martin Stringer

While Martin was unable to attend on the night, our CEO, Branden, accepted the Cassowary Award on his behalf. For over a decade, Martin Stringer’s imagery and videography has been synonymous with Rainforest Rescue’s conservation and restoration work in the Daintree Rainforest.

We’re thrilled that Martin received this award, as testimony to his dedication to sharing the stories of the rainforest and its unique flora and fauna. Martin recently created this video with Rainforest Rescue, which documents 10 years of habitat regrowth at Baralba Wildlife Corridor.

In Martin’s words on receiving the award, “Growing a rainforest community is more than just planting a rainforest, it’s about reconnecting through culture, nature, and each other.”

We agree Martin, and it’s your incredible storytelling that is fostering this reconnection.

 

Tyler accepting his Young Cassowary Award. ©WTMA

Young Cassowary Award Winner – Tyler Smith

This award recognises young people who are contributing to the Wet Tropics region and Tyler Smith, a long-time volunteer and Rainforest Rescue tree planter was the well deserving winner. Tyler’s achievements to date were a feature of a recent story in our 25th anniversary series, and he’s one of a dedicated group who were at the very first restoration tree planting at NightWings Rainforest Centre. Thankfully, he didn’t have dirty hands when he collected his award!

Tyler shared his thoughts with us after he stepped out of the awards spotlight: “Thank you for the recognition of my involvement in rescuing the Daintree – I love where I live and hope more kids get involved in caring for the environment or engaged in our community.”

We’re right with you on this, Tyler. It’s great to see our emerging generation actively involved in caring for the surrounding environment and involving others in seeing the benefits of doing so.

 

Also nominated in the Awards were: Rainforest Rescue CEO, Branden Barber (Climate Change Leadership); Dr Alexander Cheesman, Rainforest Rescue Tropical Plant Ecophysiologist & Restoration Advisor (Education, Research and Innovation); Annie Shoneberger, NightWings Rainforest Centre (Thorsborne Award for Conservation and Rehabilitation); and Daisy Cox, Rainforest Rescue’s Junior Ambassador (Young Cassowary).

A hearty congratulations from all of us to everyone who was nominated and won an Award.

For Rainforest Rescue, these Awards are a special way to acknowledge our part in the continual management of the Wet Tropics. But more than this, they’re a means to realise that stewardship of the environment is down to people leaning in and caring deeply, and when they do, a united community emerges with a common purpose that can make amazing things happen.

We’re going to need a whole lot more of us doing so in the years to come.

 

For a full list of the winners in each category, visit the website of the WTMA Cassowary Awards.

If you’d like to see more action from the Awards night, check out the photo galleries from WTMA.

 

 

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