Bill Mollison

Known as the 'father of permaculture', Bill Mollison is an influential figure in the world of sustainable agriculture. After studying psychology and science at university he pioneered the teaching of Environmental Psychology before, in 1972, he developed the idea of permaculture, now accepted as a viable alternative to chemical-based agriculture around the world.

Mollison is the founding director of The Permaculture Institute, which he describes as the "largest aid program in the whole world," and which operates hundreds of thousands of permaculture programs globally. In 1991, he won the Right Livelihood Award for his work on practical solutions to the world's problems. He has been named one of Australia's Icons of the Millennium, has received the Banksia Environment Award and was featured among G's Top 20 Eco Heroes in the November/December issue.

According to Mollison, he achieved all of this without much support or interest from governments or politicians, making him a reluctant finalist for this year's Senior Australian of the Year and a bit bemused by all the fuss.

"I would walk into a village and say, I'm not here with any government or any church and I'm here to help. That was my approach," he said.
He thinks education, not awards, is what will ensure his legacy lives on in the decades to come. "I am a teacher," he said. "And I taught thousands of teachers and now they are teaching."

Australian of the Year Awards 2010
By Jessica Stone
G-Online
Among this year's nominees are a host of eco-inspiring Aussies...

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http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/1792/australian-year-2010

Several eco-conscious Aussies are in the running for this year's Australian of the Year Awards.
Environmental campaigners, wildlife rescuers and sustainability leaders are just some of the finalists with green credentials, with their nominations spanning across the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero.
The winners of the annual awards will be announced on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra this Monday, January 25.
"These are people who have been nominated by their peers, the people of Australia," said Tam Johnston, Program Director for the National Australia Day Council, of all those in the running.
"They represent everything we admire about great Australian values, world-leading achievements and community building."
There are eight nominees in each of the award categories, one from each state and territory - read on to learn more about the green heroes among...