CAEPR Visiting Indigenous Fellow, Jacky Green, a Garawa man from the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria region (NT), was unanimously chosen by the Australian Conservation Foundation's selection committee as the 2015 Peter Rawlinson Award winner for his outstanding contribution to the environment.

The Peter Rawlinson Award is named after a person who made his own outstanding contribution caring for the natural environment and wildlife.

"As well as fighting Glencore Xstrata whose mining practices at McArthur River Mine have been linked to fish and cattle contaminated with lead in the McArthur River region. Jack has worked tirelessly with the clans of the Gulf region to establish ranger programs, initiate carbon farming projects, and reconnect young people with their country. He's also been instrumental in his work with Garawa and Waanyi people who recently declared over 11,000 square kilometres of their country as the Ganalanga-Mindibirrina Indigenous Protected Area," said Dr Seán Kerins.

On receiving the award at ACF's 50th Anniversary celebrations in Melbourne, Jack said, "I'm so happy to win this award, I just wish all my old people from McArthur River who been fightin' that mine could be here. It's hard for us to see our country destroyed just for money. We all gotta stand together and look after this country. It doesn't matter what colour you are, black, white or brindle, we all gotta work together".

Jack was also recognised for his role working with non-Indigenous people to build collaborative partnerships. Jack has been a guest lecturer at the ANU for the past two years where he teaches in the Indigenous Studies program.

Mr Jacky Green with daughters Shauntrell and Jackie Green at a special award ceremony in Borroloola.
Photo: Karl Goodsell/ACF.