The National Tidy Towns Sustainability Awards, set to take place in Launceston this weekend, have evolved significantly since their inception as a West Australian tourism initiative in the 1960s. Originally focused on clean streets, litter prevention, and beautification, the program now encompasses a wide range of sustainability and heritage categories. With over 4,000 volunteers contributing to this year's entries, the awards have become one of Australia's longest-running community programs.
From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition
The Tidy Towns concept originated in Ireland in the 1950s and was launched in Western Australia in 1968 by the Tourist Development Authority. The inaugural competition saw 59 entries judged on criteria such as absence of litter, color harmony of buildings, and standard of fences. Local councils initially competed against each other, with Bunbury taking the first title in 1969. In 1972, Keep Australia Beautiful, founded by Dame Phyllis Frost, formed a national association with the awards, and since 1990, state winners have vied for the national title.
Modern Winners Showcase Diversity
This year's state winners competing for the national prize range from Ikuntji in the Northern Territory, with a population of 150, to the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, home to over 170,000 people. Ikuntji was commended in the heritage and culture category for implementing a local decision-making framework that empowers residents to oversee essential services in line with cultural knowledge. Williams in Western Australia, population 1,040, won the state title thanks to efforts like preserving old road board records dating back to the late 1800s.
Volunteers: The Heart of Tidy Towns
In Williams, volunteers Judy and Robin spent thousands of hours cleaning and digitizing disintegrating records damaged by water, vermin, and fire. The paperwork, stored in old barrels and tea chests, includes sustenance payments for ex-soldiers and rewards for fox scalps. Robin says the community would be "proud, pleased, and gobsmacked" if they win, adding that "there's so much to learn from it." Hazel Harris, community resource manager, notes that the awards honor "all the unsung heroes within small communities."
Challenges and Rewards
Keep Australia Beautiful NSW CEO Val Southam says running the awards is becoming difficult due to a lack of government funding and tighter sponsor budgets. Despite this, the program survives through volunteer dedication. Southam recalls the 2022 national winner, Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia, a community of just 70 people. The award ceremony involved flights, a bus ride, tents for accommodation, and entertainment from an army band and stargazers. "The fact volunteers are able to get recognition means a lot," she says, emphasizing the importance of rewarding these efforts to prevent people from losing heart.
Expanded Focus on Sustainability
The awards have long since expanded beyond litter prevention. Launceston, the 2025 national winner and host of this year's event, was praised for marine cleanups, education programs, and a volunteer-led Repair Cafe that diverted 2,000 kilos of landfill. Michael Attard, sustainability team leader, says winning gave the community a "great sense of purpose." The evolution of Tidy Towns reflects a broader shift towards holistic sustainability, encompassing heritage, culture, and community empowerment.
