Clean beach awards made

Regional awards for the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge will be held at the Umina Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday, November 9, at 10am.

Beaches nominated in the zone include Maitland Bay, Putty Beach, Patonga and Pearl Beach.

The beaches were judged by Mr Adam Wolfenden.

The Clean Beach Challenge was a community-based competition which aimed to enhance the overall environment of beachside communities by promoting personal initiative, pride, and environmental awareness, according to KAB media representative Mr Matthew Taylor.

Keep Australia Beautiful was a not-for-profit organisation which acknowledged the hard work councils, community groups and dedicated individuals put into taking care of their environment, he said.

The annual Clean Beach Challenge was initiated to provide a community focus and link to the preservation and management of the State's beaches.

The competition was open to all New South Wales local governments, community groups, schools, dune care groups, coast care groups, beach care groups and individuals.

The winner of the regional award will then progress to the Best Beach in the State competition which will be decided on December 1, followed by the Best Beach in Australia which will be announced early next year.

Lyle Stone, Email Keep Australia Beautiful, October 26