The Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award is our most prestigious award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the WA environment, and who has had the courage to challenge government and non-government decision makers.

2022 - Geoff Evans

2021 - Dr Marie Ferland | Judith Hugo

2020 – Mia Pepper | K-A Garlick

2019 – Dr Nic Dunlop

2018 – Brian Moyle

2017 – Kate Kelly

2016 – Elizabeth and Shirley Wonyabong

2015 – Jess Beckerling

2014 – Mary Gray

2013 – Jo Vallentine

2012 – Beth Schultz

2011 – Margaret Owen

2010 – Sue Graham-Taylor

2009 – Lyn Serventy

2008 – Philip Jennings

2007 – Graeme Rundle

2006 – Bob Goodale

2005 – Dennis Beros

2004 – Dr Harry Cohen

2003 – Graham Chittleborough | Rachel Siewert | Andrew Thomson

2002 – Dot Hesse

2001 – Joan Payne

2000 – Rod Whittle

1999 – Peter Robertson

1998 – Alex Syme

1997 – Naomi Segal

1996 – Barbara Churchward

1995 – Shyama Peebles

1994 – Len Howard

Those named to the Conservation Council of WA Honours List have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Western Australian environment.   

The recipients have been actively involved in the conservation movement for many years, have made a constant and invaluable contribution to their groups, have contributed to vital networking and cooperation between conservation groups, and have displayed qualities of integrity, reliability, and commitment. The Honours List is open to employees or volunteers of the Conservation Council of WA and its Member Groups, who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the WA environment. 

2022 - Paddy Cullen | Anthony Collins

2021 - Nick Cook | Sara Boranga | Luke Sweet

2020 – Leonie Stubbs | Shona Hunter | Louise Corteen | Sally Marsh

2019 – Bee Winfield | Angela Rossen | Barbara Sing

2018 – Allison Dixon | Donna Chapman | Jane Hammond | K-A Garlick | Sonny Rolfe | Stewart Seesink

2017 – Kim Dravnieks | Rebecca Prince-Ruiz | Lisa Jane Hills | Dr Eddy Wajon | Janet Grogan | James Mumme

2016 – Kerry Theiss | Carolyn Bloye | Lucy Hancock

2015 – Felicity McGeorge | Marcus Atkinson

2014 – Claire McKinnon | Jaime Yallup-Farrant | Kelly Howlett | Shapelle McNee

2013 – Tim Nicol | Richard Hunter | Norman Pater | Hannes Schoombee

2012 – Jess Beckerling | Judy Blyth | Kim Hands | Heidi Hardisty | Paul Sharp

2011 – Michelle Crisp | Tony Fowler | John Vukovich | Della Rae Morrison | Jo Vallentine

2010 - Margaret Owen | Rosanne Scott

2009 – Brian Moyle | Phylis Robertson | Maria Mann | Alice Stubber | Rob Versluis | Astrid Herlihy

2008 – Jim and Mary Frith | Marion Timms | Jonathan Thwaites | Doug Sawkins | Norma Calcutt

2007 – Jeff Anderton | Patrick Gillett | Griselda Hitchcock | Graeme Rundle | Tim Winton

2006 – Vic Beacham | Mike Casley | Steve Hesse | David James | Pat Lowe | David Pike

2005 – John Dell | Dr Cicely Howell | Susanne Dennings | Helen Barnes

This award was established in honour of John Oldham, the Foundation President of the Conservation Council of WA from 1967 to 1970, and a long-term delegate to the Council. It’s awarded annually to an individual employed in the conservation sector who has demonstrated tremendous commitment to our environment.

2022 - Donna Chapman 

2021 - Walter "Wally" Smith

2020 – Inan Ahmed

2019 – Hans Lambers

2018 – Kirsty Vogel

2017 – Thelma Crook

2016 – Jen Mitchell

2015 – Tim Nicol

2014 – Jonne Franklin

2013 – David Mackenzie & Susan Liddicoat

2012 – Mia Pepper

2010 – Penny Hussey

2009 – Dr Nic Dunlop

2008 – Jane O’Malley

2007 – Renata Zelinova

2006 – Jane O’Malley

2005 – Bob Goodale

This award was established in honour of Len Howard, who founded and led for 20 years one of WA’s most successful conservation groups, the Peel Preservation Group. The recipient of this award is a community group which has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and success in the conservation of the Western Australian environment. 

2022 - Denmark Environment Centre

2021 - Quinns Rocks Environmental Group 

2020 – Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group (SERAG)

2019 – Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation

2018 – Friends of Mary Carroll Wetland

2017 – Barrabup Conservation Group

2016 – Gasfield Free Southwest WA

2015 – Save Beeliar Wetlands

2014 – 350 Perth

2013 – Care for Hedland Environmental Association

2012 – The Wilderness Society of WA

2011 – Waterbird Conservation Group

2010 – Friends of Point Peron

2009 – Cape Conservation Group

2008 – The Wildflower Society of WA

2007 – Environs Kimberley

2006 – Environment House

2005 – Peel Preservation Group

This award acknowledges an individual aged 30 years or under who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the WA’s environment, and who has played a leadership role in advocacy or campaigning to achieve greater environmental protection. 

2022 - Dylan Storer

2021 - Noemie Huttner-Koros

2020 – Rebekah Bigaila

2019 – Siobhan Sutton

2018 – Bella Burgemeister

2017 – Correa Driscoll

2016 – Aleesha Hanczakowski

2015 – Dean Leggo

2014 – Sarah Vann Sander

2012 – Dane Griffen

2011 – Basha Stasak

2010 – Nicholas Morgan

2009 – David Lian Sinclair

Various awards have been bestowed on individuals year to year to recognise their uniquely outstanding achievements.

Outstanding Volunteer Award 

2022 - Kelly Ann Howlett 

2021 - Una Bell | Lynda Smith

Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award 

2022 - Joanne Bussel 

2021 - Josh Hopkins (Open Corridor) 

2020 - Dr Vanessa Rauland

Non-Violent Direct Action Award

2018 - Extinction Rebellion WA

2017 - Over 200 protectors whose outstanding commitment and dedication protected the Beeliar Wetlands in the summer of 2016 to 2017 (accepted by Shona Hunter)

Journalism Award

2014 - Elizabeth Po | Adrian Glamorgan

2005 - Michael Southwell

Organiser Award

2014 – Natalie Banks