Tidy Towns in targets as judges visit South West

Shire Waste Education and Project Officer Jackie Dickson said judges Peter and Rhonda Ashton spent Monday touring the region.

“We started in Cowaramup and enjoyed the Cowaramup Primary School assembly where we had a sneak peak of this year’s Deja Moo festivities and then a wet wander through the cows to have a chat with other community members about the great things happening in the town,” said Ms Dickson.

“Margaret River was the next stop with a look at an Adopt a Spot project with Nature Conservation followed by lunch and coffee at the Organic Gardens Open Coffee Club.

“Community volunteers came out to talk about all the amazing work that is happening with Transition Margaret River. We finished our visit with a guided tour of the volunteer managed gardens.”

Margaret River was an overall state finalist in last year’s awards and took home the WA title for Environmental Sustainability.

Mr Ashton said the personal visits to each town entered allowed the judges to see first hand the effects of sustainable projects in regional communities. 

“It’s very promising to see so many different concepts being put into place around the State,” he said.“As judges we also spend time connecting towns with each other – one region may have embarked on a similar project and can advise another shire on the pitfalls and experiences they’ve had.”

The day trip finished in Augusta, where the group took an educational walk through the Donovan Street Bushland with members of the Environmental Research Group Augusta. 

“The judges thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the region and are keen to come back on a Saturday morning to visit the Fix it Café at the Organic gardens, check in on the new projects happening at the Cowaramup Men’s Shed and see the wildflowers in full bloom down in Augusta.”

Category winners will be announced at the State Awards on September 21.