The Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns National Awards are set out to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by individuals and groups in rural communities, and share these best practices and ideas to improve Australia’s vibrant rural towns. An online event was held on the 14th October 2020.
Traditionally, the 2019 Overall Winner, Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte), Northern Territory, would have hosted this year’s awards event. Due to the unprecedented circumstances brought on by COVID-19 pandemic however, the 2020 Awards Ceremony was held online.
The Territory’s finalist, Nhulunbuy was the winner in the Heritage and Culture and the Young Legends – Group categories.
Australian Sustainable Communities – Tidy Towns judge Gail Langley acknowledged Nhulunbuy’s strong focus on preserving, sharing and educating people about the community’s rich culture and history.
“Through the use of art; nature; reconnection with language, land and culture, together with protection of historically significant artefacts, Nhulunbuy celebrates its proud heritage of Yolngu and Macassans people, as well as the town’s military history, mining and European settlement in the area that was of importance to Nhulunbuy’s Indigenous people,” commented Ms Langley.
“The Nhulunbuy Town Board has also amended its Constitution to include a member from the local Yolngu Indigenous clans to ensure decisions reflect and support the traditional custodians of the town.
“The Young Legends – Group category winner, The Nhulunby Youth Council, also reflects this strong and proud connection to history, heritage and culture by demonstrating positive leadership mentoring to the young environmental and cultural champions in their local schools,” added Ms Langley.
Download the full media release and list of winners here: