Honour roll

Since 1999 the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Cassowary Awards have recognised recipients from a range of backgrounds including farmers, scientists, conservationists, artists and tour operators.

The diverse award recipients have all made an exceptional effort towards the protection and management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, often devoting many years of their life to their passion.

A full honour roll of all recipients since the inaugural Cassowary Awards in 1999 is available below.

Please note: this honour roll contains the names of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Honour Roll

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—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—People. Country. Culture. Award
Phil Staley—Community Champions Award
Gillies Range Road Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Project Collaboration Team—Local Government & Industry Initiatives Award
Jaragun NRM (Liz Owen and Dennis Ah-Kee)—Climate Change Leadership Award
Malanda Primary School—Young Cassowary Award
Allison Halliday—Chair’s Award

2017*

Rainforest Rescue & 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 & Tinaroo Environment Education Centres: School Science and Sustainability Enrichment Program—Education Award
Djunbunji Land and Sea Program—People. Country. Culture. Award
Liz Gallie & Gavin Singleton—Community Champions Award (joint winners)
Asha Mayberry—Young Cassowary Award
Cairns Regional Council’s Sustainability Team—Local Government & 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 & Rehabilitation —Thorsborne Award for community conservation
Malanda Falls Visitor Centre—Tourism & 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
Chair's Award—Ron and Pam Birkett

2012

Rhonda Brim—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
Dave Hudson—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—Unsung Hero
Margaret Freeman—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
Peter Hitchcock—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 & 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 & 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—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 & Jane Whytlaw—Nature-based Tourism
Eastern Kuku Yalanji Negotiating Team—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
Les Jackson—Government
David Leech & 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 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—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—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
Janeene Wallwork—Neighbour

2002

John Courtenay—Nature-based Tourism
Andrée Griffin (dec)—Arts
Graham Harrington—Community Conservation
Tony Irvine (dec)—Science
Davey Lawrence (dec) & Girramay Elders—Rainforest Aboriginal Culture
Annabelle Olsson—Unsung Hero
Ernie Raymont & 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—Conservation Advocacy
Virginia McGrath—Unsung Hero
Chris Rossi—Rural Landholder
Max Shepherd—Nature-based Tourism
Geoff Tracey (dec) & 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