2022 winners

Crown Land Manager Excellence Award

Oberon Showground Land Manager oversight the reserve, which includes sheep and cattle yards, horse stables, trotting tracks and rodeo/camp draft yards, and a multi-purpose hall. Recent installation of sensor security lighting throughout the grounds, establishing online booking, employing a full-time cleaner and installing new water taps in the camping area have seen an increase in users. A community Facebook page keeps the local area up-to-date.

Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award

Jone Pavelic is the Chairperson of Temora Showground Land Manager. Temora Showground is a multi-use community facility comprising traditional showground activities and a camping area. Jone is the point of contact for all facility bookings and site bookings for the Caravan Park. Jone undertakes the role of onsite manager making daily visit to ensure facilities are well managed and stakeholders are looked after.

Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award

Ku-ring-gai Council is the CLM for 36 Crown reserves, including the St Ives Showground. Council has shown strong commitment to the principles of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and encourage a variety of uses for this significant regional recreational reserve. Council actively promotes and supports activities on the reserve including sport, outdoor recreation, cultural and heritage community events, while considering environmental values. Council also implemented a new booking system, funded upgrades, and opened new features such as the Treetops Adventure Park in November 2021.

Congratulations to all winners!

2022 Awards Finalists

The finalists in the 2022 Community Achievement Awards have been selected for the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award, Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award and a new category this year Council Crown Land Manager Excellence Award. The Awards are all about the passion of people who are committed to making NSW a thriving place to live, work and raise a family.

The diverse Crown reserves in NSW make a positive contribution to the social, economic, environmental and cultural fabric of our state. These reserves are home to our showgrounds, racecourses, surf lifesaving clubs, parks, sporting venues, foreshores, caravan parks, recreational trails and halls.

The Awards will recognise three winners; a Crown land manager that exemplifies outstanding community service ethos, dedication and commitment to their communities, an individual volunteer involved in the management of Crown land and a Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award.

The finalists in the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award are:

Ashby Community Centre And Public Recreation Reserve Land Manager provides a central community hub for some 600 residents. The new volunteer board has improved accessibility, installed solar, reinvigorated the monthly markets, held community events and uses Facebook to engage the whole community. They have recently introduced the Ashby Nature Discovery project, which involves approximately 100 locals in conservation workshops and a nature trail.

Glenreagh Public Recreation Reserve Land Manager Board have made significant improvements to amenities for campers including two new toilet/shower blocks and established a beer garden for entertainment. The improvements have led to an increase in the visitation to the reserve across the equestrian, camping and "grey nomad" users.

Oberon Showground Land Manager oversight the reserve, which includes sheep and cattle yards, horse stables, trotting tracks and rodeo/camp draft yards, and a multi-purpose hall. Recent installation of sensor security lighting throughout the grounds, establishing online booking, employing a full-time cleaner and installing new water taps in the camping area have seen an increase in users. A community Facebook page keeps the local area up-to-date.

Bobin School Of Arts Inc. manages the hall used by the community for small gatherings and functions. The hall is a central place for the community and is regularly utilised by multiple user groups. They utilise digital marketing and a bimonthly newsletter to the local community to promote the hall and its uses. The hall is used by the local SES team for training and is the operations centre during crisis.

The finalists in the Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award are:

Debbie Coddington is the Secretary of the Bectric Hall committee, a group of volunteers responsible for keeping the hall in pristine condition. The hall is the last standing Pise Hall (utilising rammed earth building techniques), originally constructed in 1904. The site has also recently opened to campers. Debbie has tirelessly applied for grants which enabled the construction of the Camp Kitchen and the restoration of the hall’s roof.

Glenda Chapman is the current Treasurer for the Freemans Reach School of Arts Hall, a place used by social, sporting and family groups. Glenda manages the day-to-day finances of running the hall, taking bookings, and regularly maintains the hall. In 2021, she successfully submitted and obtained a grant to renovate the hall. This included building improvements, new fencing, and electrical and plumbing work.

Jone Pavelic is the Chairperson of Temora Showground Land Manager. Temora Showground is a multi-use community facility comprising traditional showground activities and a camping area. Jone is the point of contact for all facility bookings and site bookings for the Caravan Park. Jone undertakes the role of onsite manager making daily visit to ensure facilities are well managed and stakeholders are looked after.

Mathew Casey is a member of the Goulburn Golf Course Land Manager Board, which manages the Goulburn Golf Course Reserve. He was instrumental in getting the reserve back up and running after March 2021 when 70% of the reserve was impacted by a major flooding event. He successfully applied for insurance that enabled the rectification works to be undertaken and took the opportunity to introduce more sustainable practices to the course.

The finalists in the Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award are:

• Blue Mountains City Council
• Ku-ring-gai Council
• Shellharbour City Council

Previous winners and finalists

2021 winners and finalists

2020 winners and finalists

2019 winners and finalists

Earlier years - visit the Awards Australia website for details.