Jo Ross Award
"Councillor Jo (Josephine) ROSS contributed significantly to the welfare of our city especially during the years of 1992 to 1996 as a local government representative. Jo Ross was a natural environmentalist and considered “green” issues as most significant well before “green” became fashionable. She was an outspoken advocate for women’s issues.
Jo was also a most talented artist; among other achievements she won the Bathurst Art Prize for the 50th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. Sadly Jo passed away in 2006.
It was her wish that her legacy might benefit the community of Bathurst. Her sons Ben and Steve bequeathed 40 of Jo’s art works to Greening Bathurst to support on ground environmental works in the Bathurst district.
Following the sale of Jo’s art work it was decided to instigate an award in memory of Jo and in recognition of individuals, groups and institutions that work hard to improve our local environment. Greening Bathurst thanks the Ross family for their generosity."
2026 Jo Ross Award
was made to Dr Jim Blackwood for recognition of his ongoing efforts to improve the local natural environment , and being, in the words of Hugh Gould, " ...to me, one of the most forthright and passionate protectors of our planet."
Julia, Alice & Jim Blackwood with Hugh Gould outside BMEC
Dr Jim's response in receiving this award at BMEC on Monday 26th January, 2026:
"Having known Jo Ross and many of the previous recipients, I am truly humbled.
"I accept it really on behalf of all those people who over many many many years, and thousands of years who have really cared about our country - particularly the indigenous folk who have cared for our country for millennia.
"I accept it on behalf of my family too, who have always supported me in, at times, what seemed like really crazy campaigns. I’ve always tried to care very much for the world that I live in at all sorts of levels - for my family & friends, garden, town, the planet. But caring comes at a price.
"Since coming to Bathurst in 1978 I’ve always endeavoured to try to do something about the things that I cared about. Usually this meant supporting others - being in the background - of those that really cared - supporting them. But sometimes I was caught out leading the charge. Caring is part of what makes us human. But it comes at a price.
"Caring about the natural world can bring great joy, but it can also bring about great heartache & heartbreak. The best way I have found of coping with this is to get out and do something - to spend some time in nature and to join with other people who feel in a similar way about things.
"Over 40 years I have planted or facilitated the planting of many thousands of trees locally, particularly in Evans Plains, but I’ve also advocated with many others for many many local environmental issues on many occasions.
"I urge all of those here, and backing up what previous people have been saying ; Get out and do something.
All of those who care, stand up and be counted. Make a noise. Join the local environmental group. You meet lots of wonderful People and deal with things in a better way yourself.
"The three groups that I highly recommend in Bathurst that I’ve been a part of are Greening Bathurst, the Bathurst Community Climate Action Network, and the Boundary Road Landcare Group. But there are many other groups in our community to join up.
So everybody, get out there and do something. Bathurst is a special place because we have so many people who care about things. "
2025 Jo Ross Award
Local Gardening Goddess, Bernadette Wood deservedly was awarded this year's accolade for her outstanding dedication to advocating for maintaining and beautifying Centennial Park for the benefit of local residents. She mobilised the Friends of Centennial Park to save this
precious park from unwanted development over a ten year period.
By practising social and environmental justice, and applying her education and art background to benefit the local environment, she and her Friends have seen the change from a neglected rag tag open space to a promising oasis for young families, dog walkers and citizens at large.
