Ballarat has taken out two awards after being nominated as a finalist in five categories at the 2011 Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) Sustainable Cities Awards.

The awards ceremony was held on Friday evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Members’ Dining Room and was attended by representatives from local sustainability groups and Ballarat City Council.

Local sustainable living group, BREAZE, took out the Community Leadership award for their ‘Smart Living Ballarat’ project. The project will see a shop front developed with the aim of providing as many people as possible with information on all aspects of sustainable living including homes, transport, energy, local food, waste and water biodiversity. Over 40 volunteers have committed to 120 hours of labour in the shop and the fit-out is being undertaken by a ‘work for the dole’ team.

Topsy Nevett was awarded the Dame Phyllis Frost Award for community participation and environmental protection. Topsy was one of three inaugural members that established Keep Ballarat Beautiful - the first council based KABV group of its type. Topsy has spent her life as an active member of Ballarat’s community, involved with several local groups, events, societies and fundraisers. Topsy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 and Ballarat’s Citizen of the Year in 2002

Ballarat was also nominated as one of four finalists in the prestigious Sustainable City of the Year Award which recognises the status of an entire municipality as a Sustainable City, taking into account all sustainability projects undertaken in an area. The section was taken about by Yarra City Council.

City of Ballarat Mayor Craig Fletcher said it was fitting to see Ballarat so well represented at the awards.

“We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the Ballarat finalists and particularly to BREAZE and Topsy for their well deserved wins”.

“It’s always good to see hard work rewarded and although we know that these people don’t do the work for the accolades, it’s a great way to show appreciation for the effort they put into making Ballarat a beautiful and sustainable city”.