Young Narooma legend wins national award:
A sixteen-year-old Narooma local who is looking to turn the tide when it comes to environmental education has won a national award for her efforts.
Georgia Poyner picked up the Young Legends Award at the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards last week.
The Young Legends Award recognises achievements of people under 25 who demonstrate significant commitment to the environment and/or have made significant contributions to positively impact upon community life.
Georgia, who spends all her spare time in the water, uses every opportunity to either learn about the marine environment or teach others what she has learnt.
Her keen interest in underwater photography and research have seen her contributing to survey work for the University of Technology in Sydney, as well as REDMAP, where she submits sightings of marine creatures outside their normal habitat to improve knowledge about how marine ecosystems are changing.
She attends marine science seminars, participates in workshops and delivers talks to local groups such as Rotary and the Nature Coast Marine Group.
Georgia’s commitment has in the past been rewarded with an “Aim for the Stars” scholarship, provided by the Layne Beachley Foundation, which funded a work experience trip to the University of Tasmania.
Georgia, who is also a keen fisher and free-diver, says educating people is paramount.
She loves teaching children in particular through her involvement in Narooma’s What’s Under the Wharf, which is jointly presented by the Batemans Marine Park, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the Nature Coast Marine Group.
“I use my dive skills to find creatures and present them to locals and tourists so that they can see and learn for themselves,” she said.
“There’s nothing like a bunch of excited children, when they see their first sea star or nudibranch up close!
“I am so excited to have won this award and very appreciative that Council nominated me for the Young Legends category.”
Georgia received the accolade on Thursday night at the national Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards, held in Frankston, Victoria, where Council also picked an award for its environmental education programs in Narooma. Media Release Photo: YOUNG LEGEND: Sixteen-year-old Georgia Poyner has won a national award for her commitment to the environment and educating the community
