Defence Support Group
 Recognising
outstanding Defence environmentalists
One of the highlights of the 2006 Defence Environmental
Conference was the presentation of the first annual Ted Easton award for
outstanding Environmental staff within Defence. Susan
Elekessy reports.
This award, named in honour of recently retired, long time Defence staffer
Ted Easton, is aimed at recognising the member of Defence’s environmental
team who best represents this group of unsung heroes through their outstanding
commitment, dedication and drive progressing Defence’s environmental
agenda.
During his long career with Defence, Ted lived by these qualities and
many more. He was a popular Regional Environmental Officer (REO) –
a quiet achiever who never lost sight of Defence’s environmental
mission, always with an eye on the main game of ensuring that Defence
capability was never compromised.
Defence Environmental conference
Every year Defence holds an Environmental Conference that brings together
its regional and national network of environmental professionals and
key industry partners. Although the conference’s focus changes
subtly year to year in line with key Defence national and international
environmental goals, the key intent of the conference is to share information
on the future direction of Defence’s environmental agenda, current
environmental issues facing Defence and lessons learnt by both national
and international examples. Leaders in key environmental areas are invited
to deliver keynote presentations and important networks are formed and
reinforced.
The award was a closely guarded secret until the first night of the conference
when it was announced. No one was more surprised than Ted himself as he,
in his typical style, never expected recognition for ‘just doing
his job’. In his self depreciating manner, Ted’s reaction
afterwards was that, “I’m not special in this [REO] group”,
and, “everyone here has helped me achieve these things, it was never
just me.” His comments attest to one of his greatest assets –
his ability to appreciate and work well with his peers, as well as his
ability to engender a positive, participative and engaged attitude in
others.
The awards ceremony included video footage of many of Ted’s peers
speaking about their positive experiences with him both professionally
and personally, and were a fitting and touching tribute.
The first Ted Easton award winner, Ms Alex Callen, who is based at Royal
Australian Air Force Base Williamtown, is a fitting winner who deserves
recognition for her substantial contribution to Defence environmental
management.
Ms Callen, who started in Defence in 2002, is not only a most popular
and productive ‘enviro’, she also embodies the ‘over
and above’ philosophy of the Ted Easton award.
In the last few years Alex has not only forged strong and influential
relationships with her training area, base and military colleagues, she
has also actively pursued better ways to share knowledge about military
issues and requirements, as well as environmental issues and risks at
her sites. This year Alex hosted and organised the Air Force environmental
issues conference that brought together Air Force personnel and environmental
staff to share knowledge on some of the key challenges facing them.
Alex has also made great gains in many varied areas of environmental
management at her sites, once again capitalising on her excellent people
skills to ensure that key stakeholders were enthusiastic, empowered and
knowledgeable enough to tackle their environmental responsibilities. Alex
is very highly regarded both by peers and her key customers but, ultimately,
it is her approachable manner and infectious enthusiasm that sets her
apart.
On receiving the award Alex stated that, “the award is a wonderful
way of recognising the collective efforts of both regional and national
office environmental staff continually faced with the challenge of balancing
environmental and capability requirements in such a dynamic environment,”
she said.
“It was a real privilege to receive the award, particularly as
it is named in honour of Ted Easton, as his complete dedication and unfailing
enthusiasm to the cause over the last 10 or so years have been an inspiration
to all of us.”
The award was presented by Terry Weston, Assistant Secretary Environment,
Heritage and Risk.
“It was really great to see how much support there was for both
Ted and Alex, two very well respected and popular members of our exceptional
Defence environmental team,” he said.
“Good luck to Ted in his future endeavours, we know whatever he
turns his hand to will be successful, even if it’s just fishing
for Barramundi!”
For further information on the Ted Easton Award, including
eligibility for nomination, contact Susan Elekessy by email at: susan.elekessy@defence.gov.au.
Susan Elekessey is Executive Officer, Environment Heritage
and Risk, DSG.
[ top of page ]
|
skip navigation links |
