With a record number of entries from Holroyd in the 2004 Regional Environment Awards, environmentalists from the small council cleaned up this year.

The 2004 Regional Environment Awards recognise environmental excellence and best practice under the categories of Community Groups, Schools and Individuals. The Awards are sponsored by the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Holroyd and Parramatta Councils and have a combined prize pool of over $10,000.

Picking up the prize for best individual for Holroyd was Matthew Saunderson of Greystanes who has been the driving force behind bush regeneration in Alpha Park and Windermere Reserves in Greystanes. Matthew has dedicated well over 200 hours to caring for the local environment over the past 12 months.

This year's school award went to Cerdon College, Merrylands. Maxene Borg, teacher at the school said, "The students love getting involved with the environmental program, the students really drive the program themselves. We are a member of the community based water-testing program, Waterwatch. We have done a number of Bush regeneration days and community days as well. I think for many of the students the environment is a very significant part of their lives".

Holroyd's own Greystanes Creek Management Committee not only won the best community group in Holroyd and across the four council areas, they were also selected as the best entry over all winning the 2004 Diamond Award. The group has been working along Greystanes Creek in Toongabbie for the past 10 years and have planted over 20,000 since 1999.

Dr Stephen Lees, Executive Officer of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust said, "All the groups who nominated should be very proud of the work they have been able to achieve. It is just a shame that we can recognise more winners. We had over 40 nominations this year, which shows how committed our community is to preserving, protecting and enhancing the environment".

Clr John Brodie, Mayor of Holroyd City Council said, "Congratulations needs to go out to all the groups in Holroyd that nominated. It was a bumper year for us. It is fantastic to see Greystanes Creek Management Committee as the recipient of Holroyd's first Diamond Award. As a council we should be very proud of this achievement".

Each of the winners for Holroyd City Council received a $250 prize which will be spent on future environmental projects.