Previous recipients of the award include former local resident Peter Garrett , Angelika Treichler – Penguin Warden, Keelah Lam for Sustainable Living, Dave Thomas, Eco Divers and last year’s winner Brendan Donohoe – Surfrider Foundation.

Polly Higgins, Barrister for the Planet and author of ‘Eradicating Ecocide’ who was in Australia as one of the keynote speakers for the ‘International Conference of Eco Ideas’, presented the Certificates of Appreciation to 17 nominees.

The winner of the MEC Eco Award 2011’ was Ernie Murray for his work along and around Burnt Bridge Creek which he began in the mid 1980s. Councillor Jean Hay, Mayor of Manly presented Mr Murray with an original pastel artwork from reknown landscape artist Nick Hollo.