By JESSE GRAHAM
OVER three decades of commitment to Mount Evelyn has been celebrated by the Yarra Ranges Council, as the Environmental Achiever of the Year award goes to not one recipient, but a couple.
Jean and David Edwards were given the Environmental Achiever of the Year award in this year’s Australia Day Awards, which was run out of Yarra Glen Memorial Hall on Sunday 26 January.
The couple received their award for their powerful campaigning over the years to keep Mount Evelyn’s environment in pristine condition and to protect the aqueduct land.
The pair’s involvement in the aqueduct began in May 1979, when they became aware that the land would be sold off for development.
Jean and David founded the Friends of Aqueduct Park group, which organised petitions and, ultimately, ensured that the land was retained and that the council fulfilled its management plan for the land in 1991.
“When we heard, we immediately stopped work and got petitions going,” Jean said.
The pair told the Mail that their award was a complete surprise, but that they were appreciative of being recognised by the council.
“It’s always nice to have your work appreciated,” David said.
The pair cites their greatest achievement in the area as the establishment of the Mount Evelyn Aqueduct Walking Trail, which is popular for those traversing the area.
Jean is a member of the Yarra Ranges Environmental Advisory Committee and a representative on the Community Reference Group for Cave Hill and is involved in the Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association.
The pair runs a sustainable home which uses recycled materials and low amounts of energy, as well as maintaining a 15-acre block of land that they say has environmental significance.
The Mail would like to congratulate Jean and David Edwards for their Environmental Achiever of the Year award.
