Best Friend Award

At the 5th Conference in 1991 the Best Friend Award was established. The criterion for the Award is: An outstanding contribution through exceptional dedication as a Friend.

This will usually involve constant honorary involvement in the work of the group over a period of at least ten years. Groups nominate and assessment is by an independent panel.

Three nominees are required including one representative of the land manager.

Nomination form: Click here

Recipients of the Award are:

2012

Maureen Bond, Healesville Environment Watch:
Maureen Bond has been the Secretary for Healesville Environment Watch for the past ten years, and has been a strong advocate for the group, creating and maintaining strong working relationships with the Healesville Primary School, the Council, Melbourne Water and the WaterWatch Program.

Phil Crohn, Friends of South Surrey Park
He has been on its committee for 14 of its 17 years, been President and Public Officer, planned and organized weekly and monthly working bees, attended seminars to learn about weeds, and put in several hours each week towards improving this little park.

Alfred and Ursula Klink, Friends of Kurth Kiln:
Alfred and Ursula Klink founded the Friends of Kurth Kiln in 1999 and have since been the driving force behind this very active and successful group. 

Peter Mauger, Friends of Hoddle's Creek:
Since this group was formed in 1999, Peter Mauger has steered it gently but strongly, encouraging achievable
projects which benefit the wider community.

2011

Eileen Collins, Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP
Eileen has been Convenor of the Friends group since 1993 and has co-authored books on the flora and birds in the park.

Jan Gillett, Friends of Edwards Point
Jan has been especially active in working to preserve remnant coastal ecosystems that enhance the chances for the survival of the Orange-bellied Parrot.

2010

Margaret Graham and Betty Witt, Friends of Bogong
Twin sisters Margaret and Betty have served on the committee for many years in executive capacities and have developed a database of the flora of the high plains.

Kevin Jones, Friends of Organ Pipes National Park
Kevin has been a volunteer with FOOPs for 32 years and was treasurer for 15 years. 

Judy Rutherford, Friends of the Yarra
Judy formed the group and became its first president from 1991. She and the group hand-weeded Galatea Point in a highly-focussed, strategic fashion until it is now classified as an area of State Botanical Significance.

Ian Wheeler, Friends of Maribyrnong Valley
Ian has been an enthusiastic worker on the group's planting sites and has served as President and Vice-President.

Tony Woolford, Friends of Buckley Falls
Through lobbying and regular clearing, weeding and revegetation, Tony has helped turn a near rubbish tip into a linear park on the banks of the Barwon River.

2009

David Barr, Friends of Wilson Reserve
David’s interest and care, over many years, in improving the health of the wetlands and billabongs along the Yarra River near Horseshoe Bend at Wilson Reserve has led him to be an active member of the Friends group for the past 10 years.

Ken Harris Friends of Morwell National Park
Ken, the founding member of the Friends group in 1985, has provided leadership and direction of an extremely high standard ever since.

Geoff Lacey, Friends of French Island National Park
Geoff has been a dedicated member of this Friend’s group since 1989.He has held every committee position over the years and now edits the F.O.F.I. newsletter providing an invaluable
source of interesting facts about the Island.

Wallace (Wally) Mortimer, Friends of Wonnangatta
Valley
A life-long passion for the Wonnangatta Valley began in 1965 and the Valley still
excites Wally’s interest and passion today.

2008

Robert Irvine, Friends of the Organ Pipes National Park

Maelor Himbury, Friends of the Organ Pipes National Park

2007

Sue Course, Darebin Parklands Association

Cyril Curtain, Friends of Brisbane Ranges

Judy Douglas, Friends of Werribee Gorge

Howard & Marie Hodgens, Friends of Wattle Park

Graeme Hume, Friends of Great South West Walk

Frances Overmars, Pinkerton Landcare Environment Group

Robert Reid, Friends of Werribee Gorge

Alan Trevorrow, Friends of Nyerimilang

2006

Doris Bevan, Friends of Sassafras Creek
A tireless worker since 1990, has participated in every aspect of the Friends' work.

Bill Goodall, Friends of the Point (Point Nepean)
Established the group in 1989 and manually removed tonnes of sand from the historic fortifications and established walking tracks.

Eric Mitche11, Friends of Braeside Park
Has played a leading role in the establishment of both the park and the group. Leadership over 16 years including editor of Newsletter.

2005

Zoe Hogg, Earth Care St Kilda
Founding member and either President or Secretary since 1988. Involved in numerous foreshore projects, particularly the Penguin colony.

Lance and Judith Lewis, Friends of Brisbane Ranges
Foundation members,  regular participants and group historians for 22 years. Dynamic 'grandparents' of the group.

Margaret Medley, Friends of French Island
Honorary Treasurer since foundation of the group in 1984. Has obtained many grants and attended all activities.  Years of hard work.

2004

Geoff Durham, Friends of Wyperfeld National Park
Geoff  has led or participated in virtually all the group¹s activities since 1976. He authored 'Wyperfeld- Australia¹s First Mallee National Park' for the Friends.

Max Sargent, Friends of Merri Creek
Max provided outstanding leadership in various campaigns, notably that against the Merri Creek Freeway, whilst normal activities of planting and litter clean-ups continued.

Marion Taylor, Friends of Coolart
Since the Group¹s inception in 1979, Marion¹s on-going commitment as to Coolart wetlands and homestead has been truly extraordinary.

2003

Robert Bender, Friends of the Organ Pipes National Park
Has been a tireless volunteer in the park for over 20 years and has painstakingly documented the activities of the group and the local history (natural and otherwise).

Jack Brooks, Friends of Mt Worth State Park
Played a major role in establishing the park, founder of the Friends Group and has attended almost every monthly activity since 1981.

2002

John Munday, Friends of Woodlands Historic Park

Ian Pratchett, Friends of Woodlands Historic Park
Known as the Shadow Brothers, John & Ian have worked together on many Friends projects for twenty years and have rarely missed a project day. An inspiration.

Gladys Sweetten, Friends of Woodlands Historic Park

John Sweetten, Friends of Woodlands Historic Park
John & Gladys have been regular participants since 1982 and for 15 years have shown remarkable dedication as volunteer guides to Woodlands Homestead.

2001

Marshall Baillieu, Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
Advocacy for the gardens predates formation of the group in 1991. A crucial role in opposing an arterial road through the gardens. Dedicated and thorough involvement.

Nola Haines, Friends of Brisbane Ranges National Park
Convenor for ten years and outstanding as an organiser and a regular and reliable participant. Convenor of Friends publication - Wildflowers of the Brisbane Ranges.

Millie Howell, Friends of the Prom
Has attended nearly every activity for 20 years. Has served as Joint Co-ordinator, President, Newsletter Editor and leader of the Nursery Program

1999

Elizabeth Doery, Friends of Wyperfeld National Park
Active with the group since it formed in 1976 and as Convenor from 1980 to 1997 was responsible for all facets of its operations. Her dedication and enthusiasm an inspiration.

Vivien Freshwater, Friends of Sherbrooke Forest
A committee member of the group since its formation in 1980, holding every office with distinction and dedication. Produced two books. A tireless worker and advocate.

Eddie Kleingeerts, Friends of Bogong & Friends of Mt Buffalo National Park
Founding member of both groups formed in 1984. Mainstay of Friends of Mt Buffalo until 1998 and on-going with Friends of Bogong. Convenor 1989 to 1993.

1998

Des Quinn, Friends of French Island
Des initiated the Friends Group in 1984 and as its first Convenor and enthusiastic member made any trips to French Island. He has particular knowledge of its birds.

1997

Carl Rayner, Friends of Organ Pipes
Actively involved since 1977, Carl became Secretary and Convenor. He played a leading role in the conservation and restoration of Keilor Plains flora.

Sam Bruton, Friends of the Great South West Walk
Sam is esponsible for the concept of the Great South West Walk, and in 1984 instigated the formation of the Friends Group. Continuous involvement and unbridled enthusiasm.

1996

Tom Burchell, Friends of the Brisbane Ranges National Park
A foundation member of the Group (formed 1982) Tom has been a stalwart until recently, missing only a few Project Days and making many other visits to the park.

1995

Gerry McKay Friends of Gellibrand Hill
The instigator of the Group in 1982 and longtime active member, Gerry was also its representative on the Park Advisory Committee. He died in September 2001.

1994

Margaret Witherspoon, Friends of Blackburn Lake
Tenacious was the word used to describe Margaret's contribution which included being secretary of the Cootamundra Walk Committee for 14 years.

1993

Bill Golding O.A.M., Friends of the Great South West Walk
Bill advanced the concept and rallied support for the Great South West Walk, and has been a key person and worker within the Friends Group since it formed in 1985.

Barry Kemp, Friends of Organ Pipes
Barry made an immense contribution to the restoration of Keilor Plains flora in Organ Pipes National Park from 1972 to 1988 through his botanical expertise and devotion.

1991

Don Marsh, Friends of Organ Pipes
Formed in 1972 and nurtured by Don, his group became the model and inspiration for all groups. In accepting the Award, Don's message was: More, do more.