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The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative Honoured for Leadership in Biodiversity Conservation at the 36th National Banksia Sustainability Awards 2025

We are thrilled to announce… the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative has WON the Biodiversity category in the 36th National Banksia Sustainability Awards, 2025!

The Biodiversity Award shines a spotlight on outstanding contributions to conservation, habitat restoration and species protection. It acknowledges individuals, organisations, and initiatives that are setting new benchmarks in sustainable land management, ecosystem rehabilitation, and pioneering research to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

Being recognised in this category is a tremendous honour, reinforcing Mulloon Institute’s steadfast commitment to environmental regeneration and education through our landscape rehydration programs. This achievement is not just ours—it belongs to the dedicated individuals and communities who stand with us, believe in our mission, collaborate on the ground, and support our vision for a thriving, resilient environment. Their passion and partnership help us drive meaningful change and spread a message of hope for Australia’s landscapes.

Congratulations to all the finalists for their outstanding contributions, it is an incredibly strong field of competitors to be standing alongside:

• City of Joondalup, WA
• First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation – IndigiGrow, NSW
• Murdoch University – Miyawaki Forest Program: Transforming Urban Spaces through Biodiversity, WA
• Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust – Project Cultivate: Melbourne General Cemetery, VIC
• Trust for Nature, VIC

A BIG thank you to the Banksia Foundation and judges. This national recognition at these 36th National Banksia Sustainability Awards builds on our story of hope, attracting increased visibility to our work, and opens doors to new partnerships, collaborations and expanded funding opportunities.

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative (MRI) is the Mulloon Institute’s flagship project in southern New South Wales which is helping rebuild the functionality and resilience of the Mulloon catchment, its riparian corridor, tributaries, floodplains, wetlands, hills and woodlands, and is forming a critical biodiversity corridor in the region.

The MRI is a powerful testament to what can be accomplished when grassroots rural communities unite to restore and manage their landscapes. This initiative showcases the potential for catchment-scale restoration projects, proving that with the right vision, funding, and collaboration, large-scale environmental change is possible.

As CEO Carolyn Hall said in her acceptance speech (published in full below), “This project would not be possible without the landholders across the Mulloon catchment. They put their doubts aside once they saw the pilot project and have supported us every step of the way.”

The MRI has demonstrated that when farmers, scientists, natural resource managers, regulators, and policymakers come together, they can drive impactful, science-backed solutions that enhance biodiversity, improve water retention, and strengthen agricultural resilience. It serves as a model for sustainable land management, where conservation efforts align with financial productivity and long-term climate adaptation strategies.

By empowering communities to lead the way, the MRI is shaping a future that balances nature conservation with agricultural success, ensuring that landscapes remain both ecologically rich and economically viable for generations to come.

CEO Carolyn Hall’s acceptance speech

It is wonderful to be here tonight to accept this national Banksia Award in the Biodiversity category.

I want to thank Graz and the Banksia Foundation team. This is a great program shining a light on great projects – every finalist in the room tonight is working for good.

I also want to congratulate the other finalists in the biodiversity category – they are all inspirational.

In the words if the late Uncle Max Dulamunmun Harrison, “Nature is the greatest teacher.”

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative is a remarkable project demonstrating how we can learn from nature and restore the function of a catchment in partnership with farmers, First Nations and the broader community.

The project is a story of hope and inspiration for everyone, that we can meet the challenge of climate change together, and restore biodiversity and deliver food and water security to Australia – all by learning from nature.

I stand here tonight humbled at this recognition and standing on the shoulders of giants. At the Mulloon Institute we are literally trying to change the world.

Our founders Tony & Toni Coote made this amazing  project possible with their incredible philanthropy.

This award goes out to our team.

Congratulations to my colleague Peter Hazell, the project coordinator, who has worked tirelessly since the project began in 2005.

I can’t name everyone but thank you to all the team at Mulloon Institute.

This project would not be possible without the landholders across the Mulloon catchment. They put their doubts aside once they saw the pilot project and have supported us every step of the way.

Finally, a big thank you to our corporate sponsors Vitasoy for your ongoing support.