AMES Australia from Werribee won the Environmental Justice Award for their Working Beyond the Boundaries program at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2019 held on the 10^th of October.

The Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas, said the local organisation, AMES Australia along with Parks Victoria, demonstrates how Victoria is home not only to leading international sustainability thinkers, but also everyday people working at a grassroots level who share their skills, knowledge and experience.

The Working Beyond the Boundaries program has provided Werribee with economic, social, physical and mental health benefits through its work to regenerate an historic garden at the Werribee Mansion. The program has benefitted more than 500 refugees in their involvement, and case workers report lower levels of mental health issues among refugees since the garden’s inception. Working Beyond the Boundaries has also benefitted many younger members of the community who have secured employment in local market gardens as a result of their volunteer work experience.

“AMES Australia should be very proud of their achievement and are terrific local ambassadors for sustainability,” he said.

Now in their 17^th year, the Premier’s Sustainability Awards are Victoria’s most high profile sustainability awards program across business, government, health, education, volunteering and community.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, congratulated all winners and finalists across each of the awards’ eleven categories, saying ‘It’s inspiring to see such passionate and inspirational people, dedicated to delivering social, economic and environmental benefits for Victoria.”

The Premier’s Recognition Award was won by Enable Social Enterprises for helping disadvantaged Victorians connect with their community and environment to gain employment.

The Premier’s Regional Recognition Award was awarded to Kia Ora Merino, a family farm based in Warrnambool, for their sustainable wool production.

For more information on this year’s finalists and winners, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au