Established in 1999, the Wet Tropics Management Authority's Cassowary Awards were Australia's only awards program dedicated to recognising community contributions to the management and protection of a World Heritage Area.
Over more than two decades, the awards celebrated the individuals, organisations and communities whose passion, leadership and commitment helped conserve, protect and promote the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Recipients reflected the diversity of people who care for the Wet Tropics, including Traditional Owners, conservation advocates, tourism operators, farmers, educators, scientists, artists, students and community volunteers. While their contributions varied, they shared a common goal: ensuring this extraordinary place is protected and valued for future generations.
The Cassowary Awards leave a legacy of recognising excellence in World Heritage stewardship. Building on this legacy, WTMA is developing new ways to celebrate the people and partnerships that help protect and manage the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, with exciting opportunities for recognition to be unveiled in the future.
Honour roll
Please note: this list contains the names of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
2024
- Cairns and Far North Environment Centre—Climate Change Leadership Award
- Annette Ryan, Whitfield State School—Education Research Innovation Award
- Cassowary Conservation Management Plan, Department of Transport and Main Roads—Industry Excellence Award
- Madjaybana Rangers—People Country Culture Award
- Ingrid Marker, Cassowary Keystone Conservation—Peter Hitchcock Community Champion Award
- Cathy Retter, Kuranda Envirocare—Thorsborne Award for Conservation and Rehabilitation
- Martin Stringer—World Heritage Presentation Award
- Tyler Smith—Young Cassowary Award
2022
- Kylie Freebody—Thorsborne Award for Community Conservation and Rehabilitation
- Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours—Tourism and Presentation Award
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy—Innovation and Research Award
- Melissa Brolese—Education Award
- Jumbun Limited—People. Country. Culture. Award
- Tony Rossi—Community Champions Award
- Geoff Onus and NQ Land Management Services—Government and Industry Initiatives Award
- Professor Susan Laurance—Climate Change Leadership Award
- Chloe Cristaldi, Nya Seuili and Chloe Tully (White Rock State School)—Young Cassowary Award
- Cairns Regional Council (for Climate Change initiatives)—Chair's Award
2021
- Lisa O'Mara—Thorsborne Award for Community Conservation and Rehabilitation
- Kuranda Visitor Information Centre—Tourism and Presentation Award
- Dominic Chaplin—Innovation and Research Award
- Jodie Creek—Education Award
- Barry Hunter —People. Country. Culture. Award
- Adrian Watson—Community Champions Award
- Tablelands Regional Council Community Revegetation Nursery—Government and Industry Initiatives Award
- Tropical Mountain Plant Science collaboration—Climate Change Leadership Award
- Mission Beach State School—Young Cassowary Award
- Tourism Tropical North Queensland—Chair’s Award
2019
- Bonadio Partnership—Thorsborne Award for Community Conservation and Rehabilitation
- Mandingalbay Ancient Indigenous Tours—Tourism and Presentation Award
- Dr David Westcott—Innovation Award
- Mia and Sylvia Conway (Children for Change)—Education Award
- Elizabeth 'Betty' Cashmere (dec)—People. Country. Culture. Award
- Phil Staley—Community Champions Award
- Gillies Range Road Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Project Collaboration Team—Local Government and Industry Initiatives Award
- Jaragun NRM (Liz Owen and Dennis Ah-Kee)—Climate Change Leadership Award
- Malanda State School—Young Cassowary Award
- Allison Halliday—Chair’s Award
2017*
- Rainforest Rescue and Dr Karen Coombes—Thorsborne Award for Community Conservation and Rehabilitation (joint winners)
- Small World Journeys—Tourism and Presentation Award
- Distinguished Professor William F. Laurance—Innovation Award
- Holloways Beach and Tinaroo Environment Education Centres: School Science and Sustainability Enrichment Program—Education Award
- Djunbunji Land and Sea Program—People. Country. Culture. Award
- Liz Gallie and Gavin Singleton—Community Champions Award (joint winners)
- Asha Mayberry—Young Cassowary Award
- Cairns Regional Council’s Sustainability Team—Local Government and Industry Initiatives Award
- Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT)—Chair’s Award
*2017 Awards were postponed and held in March 2018.
2016
- Kuranda Envirocare Conservation and Rehabilitation —Thorsborne Award for community conservation
- Malanda Falls Visitor Centre—Tourism and presentation
- Australian Quoll Conservancy—Innovation
- Dr Miriam Goosem—Education
- Jabalbina Ranger Program—Rainforest Aboriginal People - Our Country
- Peter Rowles —Community champions
- Douglas Shire Council (Planning Framework)—Local government
- JCU Sustainability Club—Young Cassowary Award
- Ron and Pam Birkett—Chair's Award
2012
- Rhonda Brim—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Dave Hudson (dec)—Conservation
- Keith Smith—Government
- Helen Underwood—Education
- Gordonvale State School and Gordonvale State High School (Excelsior Program)—Young Cassowary Award
2011
- Peter Ogilvie—Government
- Alan Gillanders—Community Conservation
- Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC)—Community Conservation
- School of Field Studies—Education
- Margaret Moorhouse (dec)—Unsung Hero
- Margaret Freeman—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Peter Hitchcock (dec)—Outstanding contribution
- CSIRO Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants—Science
- Steven Nowakowski—Arts
- Millaa Millaa State School—Young Cassowary Award
2010
- Mike Trenerry—Arts
- Tableland National Park Volunteers—Community Conservation
- Tina Alderson—Government
- Keith and Lindsay Fisher—Nature-based Tourism
- Suzanne Smith—Neighbour and Landholder
- Prof. Richard Pearson—Science
- John Ridd (dec) and Elaine Ridd—Unsung Hero
- Vince Mundraby (dec)—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Feluga State School—Young Cassowary Award
2009
- Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Tours—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Oliver Schreiber (Wooroonooran Safaris)—Nature–based Tourism
- John Beasley (dec)—Community Conservation
- Keith McDonald—Government
- Sandra Charlton—Education
- Pam Tully—Unsung Hero
- Prof. Nigel Stork and Prof. Steve Turton—Science
- Mike Prociv—Arts
- Peter Salleras—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Gordonvale State School (Excelsior Program)—Young Cassowary Award
2008
- Leonard Andy—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Mike Berwick AM—Conservation
- Daryl Dickson—Arts
- Angela and Peter Freeman—Nature Based Tourism
- Hambledon State School—Young Cassowary Award
- Barbara Lanskey—Community Conservation
- Stella Martin—Government
- Neville Simpson—Education
- Linda Venn—Unsung Hero
- Walker Family Tours—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Dr Steve Williams—Science
- Wonga Beach State School—Young Cassowary
2007
- Frederick Michna—Young Cassowary Award
- Tim Anderson—Unsung Hero
- Sandy Clague—Conservation
- Wendy Cooper—Science
- Bruce Corcoran—Community Conservation
- Kym Dungey and Jane Whytlaw—Nature-based Tourism
- Eastern Kuku Yalanji Negotiating Team—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Les Jackson—Government
- David Leech and Wally Coutts—Community Conservation
- Peta and Jon Nott—Wet Tropics Neighbour
2006
- Bloomfield River State School—Young Cassowary Award
- Marcus and Tiffanie Bulstrode—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Daintree Rainforest Foundation—Community Conservation
- Dawn (dec) and Cliff Frith—Arts
- Assoc. Prof. Betsy Jackes—Science
- Deborah Pergolotti—Unsung Hero
- Ravenshoe Visitor Centre—Conservation Education
- Phil Rist—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Annie Wonga (dec)—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
2005
- Shayne Allanson—Government
- Willie Brim—Nature–based Tourism
- Stanley Breeden—Arts
- Daintree Discovery Centre—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Dr Andrew Graham—Science
- Allison Halliday—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Bob Jago—Community Conservation
- Victor Maund—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Jenny Maclean—Community Conservation
- Steve Russell—Unsung Hero
- Wonga Beach State School—Young Cassowary
2004
- Helen Adams (dec)—Unsung Hero
- Maisie Barlow (dec)—Arts
- Jax Bergersen—Community Conservation
- Milton Brim (dec)—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Margit Cianelli—Unsung Hero
- Russell Fry—Neighbour
- Dr Mike Hopkins—Science
- Terry and Cathy Maloney—Nature-based Tourism
- Allen Sheather—Community Conservation
- Bill Sokolich—Government
2003
- Dr Joan Bentrupperbaumer—Science
- Ruth Berry—Arts
- Russell Boswell—Nature-based Tourism
- Ruth Lipscombe (dec)—Community Conservation
- Charles Morganson—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Rupert Russell—No category
- Dr George Skeene OAM (dec)—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Janeene Wallwork—Neighbour
2002
- John Courtenay (dec)—Nature-based Tourism
- Andrée Griffin (dec)—Arts
- Graham Harrington—Community Conservation
- Tony Irvine (dec)—Science
- Davey Lawrence (dec) and Girramay Elders—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Annabelle Olsson—Unsung Hero
- Ernie Raymont (dec) and Ngadjon–Jii Elders—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- John Winter—Landholder
2001
- Alexandra Bay School—Community Conservation
- Sibby Bresolin—Government
- George Davis (dec)—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Hazel Douglas (dec)—Nature-based Tourism
- Sally Driml—Science
- Rosemary Hill—Conservation Advocacy
- George Mansford—Unsung Hero
- Peter Stanton—Science
2000
- Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Rangers—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- George Patterson Bates—Philanthropy
- Bill Cooper (dec)—Arts
- C4 – Mission Beach—Community Conservation
- Sue Fairley—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Mark Heaton—Government
- Aila Keto (dec)—Conservation Advocacy
- Virginia McGrath—Unsung Hero
- Chris Rossi—Rural Landholder
- Max Shepherd—Nature-based Tourism
- Geoff Tracey (dec) and Len Webb (dec)—Science / Conservation
1999
- John Donaghy—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Anna Graham—Nature-based Tourism
- Ernie Grant—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
- Skyrail—Nature-based Tourism
- Margaret Thorsborne (dec)—Community Conservation
- Nigel Tucker—Government
- Errol Wiles—Wet Tropics Neighbour
- Joan Wright (dec)—Community Conservation
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026