There are two levels in the Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities competition:
1. Regional and State Category Achievement Awards
It is possible to enter just one Initiative category if you prefer. This might enable your TTC to focus on one area of interest or special need in your community, for instance, recycling or natural heritage, in addition to the compulsory criteria of Community Action and General Appearance. This makes it easier for smaller towns that don't necessarily want to compete at the State level or don't have the resources to do so. This means you are competing for an Achievement Award in the categories you do enter.
2. Overall Regional and State Awards
To become a regional finalist, which means you may be chosen a regional winner and compete for the State title, you need to enter all Initiative categories. This ensures that your community has performed well across all categories and will be competitive at the national level, should your community be chosen as the State Winner. Each State's Winner is later judged by the Keep Australia Beautiful National Association and competes for the national title of Australia's Tidiest Town.
So, you need to make a choice:
enter the two compulsory criteria and one or more of the Initiative categories to compete for a Regional Achievement Award. Just complete the submission form sections of the categories you do enter and submit by 31 July
or
enter the two compulsory criteria and all of the individual Initiative categories to compete to become a Regional Finalist, Regional Winner, State Winner and ultimately Australian Winner. Ensure every section of the submission form is completed by 31 July.
What to do
Register online or complete a Registration Form and return it by 31 March.
Choose which of the Initiative categories you would like to enter.
Review all of the activities you have completed, maintained or intend to complete between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2009. Start collecting photos, news-clippings and stories now for your submission.
Complete the submission form and send it to the State Program Manager by 31 July.
Nominate one or more TTC members to meet with judges between August and September.
Attend your Regional Awards ceremony. The following awards will be presented for each region:
Regional Achievement Award - Appearance and Community Action
Regional Achievement Award - Recycling and Waste Management
Regional Achievement Award - Natural Heritage Conservation
Regional Achievement Award - Enhancing Cultural Identity
Regional Achievement Award - Water Conservation
Regional Finalists - Best performers over all categories in each region
Regional Winner - Best performance across all categories in each region.
Attend the Tidy Towns State Awards Ceremony. The following awards will be announced:
State Achievement Award - Community Action
State Achievement Award - General Appearance
State Achievement Award - Recycling and Waste Management
State Achievement Award - Natural Heritage Conservation
State Achievement Award - Enhancing Cultural Identity
State Achievement Award - Water Conservation
State Winner - Best performance by a Regional Winner
If you are voted the State Winner, you will be visited by the National Judge in February and attend the National Awards in 2009. Each State will win one of the following Achievement Awards:
Young Legends
Litter Prevention
Community Partnership
Environmental Innovation
Protection of the Environment
Community Action
Resource Recovery
Heritage and Culture
Water Conservation
the Dame Phyllis Frost Award
In addition, your community may be awarded the prestigious title of Australia's Tidiest Town!
The 2009 National Winner will be announced in May.
