The Western Sydney Aboriginal Landcare Group snared the highest honour in the 2005 Regional Environment Awards sponsored by the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Parramatta and Holroyd Councils.

The group won the Diamond award and $5,000 for a future environmental project for their 'Koories caring for Ropes Creek' project.

Earlier in the night this group won the overall Community Group category and $1,000 for the most outstanding community group across all council areas. They also won the Community Group category in the Blacktown City Council area. Group member, Margaret Bottrell, said:

"The project is the first Aboriginal Landcare project initiated in Western Sydney, making it a leader and role model for the Aboriginal communities in the region. It is also unique in its attempt to tackle a difficult and diverse area that contains threatened species."

The indigenous group is working to regenerate the bush and remove rubbish along a section of Ropes Creek at Minchinbury. They are also using Aboriginal art in the vicinity of the creek to educate the community about the environment.

Seven Hills resident Wayne Olling took out the Individual category award for Blacktown and jointly won the category across the four council areas. These awards recognise his contribution to environmental education, activism and hands-on projects in the Blacktown area.

29 nominations were received from across the region for this year's awards. Diane Beamer, the Minister for Western Sydney attended the awards ceremony at Old Government House in Parramatta Park on 2 June 2005. Councillor Leo Kelly, Mayor of Blacktown City Council, presented the Blacktown awards on behalf of his Council.

Dr Stephen Lees, Executive Officer of the Trust said:

"The Awards recognise the importance of community action to protect vegetation and waterways in the Catchment. The health of our waterways depends upon community minded individuals and groups doing the right thing in their own neighbourhood."

Pictured are the joint overall category winners - Tom Yelland (l) and Wayne Olling (r) receiving their awards from Blacktown City Councillor, Barbara Gapps.