Tidy Towns Winner 2022

Euroa, Victoria (Town Winner)

In 2022, Euroa, located in Strathbogie Shire, celebrated its first-ever Tidy Town win, an achievement that followed multiple awards at the 2022 Premier’s Sustainability Awards in partnership with KABV.

The residents of Euroa have worked tirelessly to enhance their local environment, implementing sustainable solutions, including recycling programs, energy-efficient initiatives, and water conservation measures, which led to them taking home four awards at the 2023 National Keep Australia Beautiful awards.

Their Tidy Towns win included a number of impressive projects and accomplishments including the Euroa Arboretum. This destination not only secured the top spot in the Thriving Environment category but also received the prestigious Premier’s Regional Recognition Award. Additionally, Euroa’s commendable energy project, led by Euroa Energy, successfully installed a solar panel on a parking pergola.

These remarkable initiatives are just a glimpse of the numerous inspiring sustainable projects underway in Euroa. They serve as a beacon of inspiration for other towns and communities, showcasing the positive results that can be attained through collaborative efforts and a shared vision.

Euroa Arboretum: 2022 Winner – Thriving environment

The 2022 Premier’s Sustainability Awards categories reflect the current focus of sustainability activity in Victoria and align with global best practice. There are 6 categories, with 2 award types per category.

These are the 2022 Premier’s Sustainability Awards category winners and finalists. The winners were announced at an in-person awards ceremony on 20 September.

The Euroa Arboretum was little more than a degraded paddock when a team of volunteers took on the challenge of restoring it to its pre-colonial state as a grassy woodland.

Now, the thriving green space is home to 60 different grasses, daisies, lilies and peas, as well as insects, birds, reptiles and gliders.

The restoration efforts have been embraced by the local community, from 5-year-olds at bush kinder assisting with seed collection and butterfly studies, to faithful volunteers who enjoy collecting, cleaning and then sowing seeds back into the site.

Taungurung Traditional Owners have also played an important role in this project, working collaboratively with the project team to manage the restoration of the grassland.

Premier’s Regional Recognition Award
Winner: Euroa Arboretum

Premier’s Regional Recognition Award: Euroa Arboretum, acknowledging the work of a team of volunteers to transform the Euroa Arboretum from a degraded paddock and restoring it to its pre-colonial state as a grassy woodland. 

Community Champion Award: Euroa Arboretum, Euroa

Congratulations to all the staff and volunteers who have contributed to creating such a stunning grasslands, head out there to take a walk along the paths!