NSW Environmental Education Awards
Celebrate the outstanding achievements of environmental educators in NSW
Congratulations to our 2025 NSW Environmental Education Award Winners!
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Recent award recipients
NSW’s Leading Environmental Educators Celebrated at 44th Annual Awards Ceremony On Wednesday 3rd December 2025, Environmental Education NSW (EENSW) held its 44th annual NSW Environmental Education Awards in a vibrant online ceremony, honouring outstanding educators who are shaping a sustainable future through innovation, leadership, and community engagement
Early Childhood Educator of the Year
Highly Commended – Amanda Ford, KU ANSTO Children’s Centre
Winner – Aimee Madden, Kensington Castle
Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year
Highly Commended – Lucy Barbuto, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Helensburgh
Winner – Jenny Henson, Caddies Creek Public School
Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Highly Commended – Joanne Rice, Kearns Public School
Highly Commended – Lynne Graham, Toybox Early Learning (Mascot)
Winner – Carol Rowe, Bennett Road Public School
NSW Emerging Leader in Environmental Education
Highly Commended – Granton Lee, Berrima Public School
Winner – Monique Bailey, Hawkesbury Regional Council
NSW Environmental Educator of the Year
Highly Commended – Alana Rooney, Blacktown City Council
Winner – Christine Freeman, Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre
NSW Environmental Educator of the Year
Highly Commended – Beth Riolo, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong
Winner – Abbie Mitchell, Jane Goodall Institute Australia
NSW Emerging Leader in Environmental Education Award
Highly Commended- Amy Naicker, Sydney Zoo
Winner – Yasmin Andrews, Reverse Garbage
Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Highly Commended – Loretta Rapa, Catholic Schools Broken Bay
Winner – David Bateman, Dapto High School
Sustainable Schools NSW School of the Year
Highly Commended – Ascham School
Highly Commended – Fisher Road School
Winner – Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education
Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year Award
Winner – Shane Roberts, Belltrees Public School
Highly Commended – Rebecca Daniell, Cudgegong Valley Public School
Sustainability Connect Business of the Year Award
Highly Commended – Jane Goodall Institute Australia
Winner – Sydney Zoo
Return and Earn Program Leader
Highly Commended – Scott Thompson
Winner – Christian Maait & Meg Thomas
Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year
Highly Commended – Aaron Parker
Winner – Daniel Levitt
Sustainable Schools NSW School of the Year
Highly Commended -Quirindi Public School
Winner – Redlands
Sustainability Connect Business of the Year
Winner – Mememe Productions / DirtGirlWorld
Winner – Kids Connecting Nature
NSW Emerging Leader in Environmental Education
Highly Commended – Sally Giblin
Highly Commended – Jess Menendez
Winner – Sally Eriksen
NSW Environmental Educator of the Year
Highly Commended – Graham Valentine
Highly Commended – Peter Rutherford
Winner – Julia Barnes
Award Winners and Highly Commended Nominees
Sarah Jantos, Green Hereos, Overall Winner – NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award
Sarah Jantos, Green Heroes. Winner – Community Educator of the Year Award
Darren Martin, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Highly Commended – Community Educator of the Year Award
Christian Eckardt, Greater Sydney Parklands. Winner – Government Educator of the Year Award
Margaret Gleeson, Keiraville Community Preschool. Winner – Early Learning Educator of the Year Award
Ann-Kathrin Kiehn, St Columba Anglican School. Winner – Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year Award
Shannon Kelly, The Nature School. Highly Commended – Sustainable Schools NSW Teacher of the Year Award
Belltrees Public School. Winner – Sustainable Schools NSW School of the Year Award
Rose Everingham, Regentville Public School. Winner – Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Rebecca Hoad, St Ignatius College, Riverview. Highly Commended – Return and Earn Program Leader Award
Greening the Green. Winner – Sustainability Connect Business of the Year Award
ReCollect. Highly Commended – Sustainability Connect Business of the Year Award