BY JARROD McALEESE
THE Casey Environment Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Friends of Cardinia Creek founder Judy Smith at a civic reception held by the City of Casey on 3 June to coincide with World Environment Day.
Mrs Smith was commended for her work in preserving and developing Cardinia Creek Bushland Reserves, particularly the Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna reserve, on a night that celebrated the conservation work of individuals and groups within the community.
The Friends of Cardinia Creek group was formed in 1998, with Mrs Smith and six other founding members still involved in volunteering today.
Working alongside her husband Ralph and other volunteers, the group holds monthly working bees in which they conduct maintenance including the removal of weeds and replanting of thousands of indigenous plants funded through grants.
The group also organises Clean Up Australia Day events throughout Berwick and Beaconsfield, while Mrs Smith herself picks up rubbish twice a week in the area.
Mrs Smith attributed her continued service to two of her long-standing passions.
“I love the environment, I really do and I love volunteering as well, I have been doing it for over 40 years,” Mrs Smith said.
She praised the ongoing contributions of her fellow Friends of Cardinia Creek members and said the group had been a blessing to her.
“I have made lovely friends along the way, who are great volunteers and they help me greatly,” Mrs Smith said.
