MARINE biologist and ‘Mermaid’ Alice Forrest has taken out Manly Environment Centre's 10th annual ECO-AWARD
The 26-year-old received the award from Manly Mayor Jean Hay at Manly Sea Life Sanctuary last week, in front of a crowd of enthusiastic supporters and noisy Fairy Penguins.
Alice was chosen from a record 31 nominations for her passion, dedication and leadership qualities.
She has made a huge contribution to the conservation of Manly's environment, played a key role in many local campaign including No Shark Cull, Save our Marine Sanctuaries, Cash for Containers, the anti-CSG campaign Our Land Our Water Our Future, the Two Hands Project and Plastic Pollution rallies.
“Alice is an inspiring young woman, particularly in public forums," Cr Hay said. "Her contagious energy encourages and inspires other people to join in and be part of protecting the environment. And she is also a ‘mermaid’! She has a tail and is a member of The Mermaid Society with her own blog."
The Eco-Award judging panel was impressed by Alice's knowledge, energy and the diversity of her skills.
It was not an easy choice with many eco-warriers nominated for the award, including Dr Alicia Lloyd , Allyson Jennings, Angela van Boxtel, Anne Edwards, Aunty Frances Bodkin, Bram Nieskens, David Tribe, Diane Dean, Dirk Nagel, Franka Simkin, Hayley Brown, Howard Gilmore, Isabel Dreyer, Jake Tagg, Jenny Wilson, John Turnbull, Jools Farrell , Kate Leven, Loani Tierney, Mari Swinburne, Michella Burgers, Nicholas Vale, Patricia Griffen, Phyllis Brice, Rosanna Perillo-Boutin, Sarah Avci, Sue Mathews, Sharnie Connell, Stacey Randell and Wendy Ashmore.
Alice was presented with a painting by Mark Budd, a well known Manly artist whose exuberant works can be seen at the Manly Environment Centre and in many local restaurants and bars.
Pictures: Collages of all prize winners, Alice Forrest with other award nominees; nominee Sharnie Connell congratulates Alice on her win; Alice and dignitaries; Manly Mayor Jean Hay; Sharnie, Alice; food and drinks served by ICMS students; previous winner Silke Stuckenbrock and Andy Vogt; wait staff team from ICMS; nominee Angela van Boxtel; and Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay Carmen, Janine and Wendy. Thanks to Dave Thomas and Silke Stuckenbrock for photography.
