|
Two unassuming men who’ve been quietly restoring the bushfire-damaged gardens at Mt Stromlo were the toast of the ANU Staff Awards this month.
|
|
|
|
Laika the dog enjoys the views while Mark Sullivan and Howard Coyle survey their handiwork at Mt Stromlo. |
Gardeners Howard Coyle and Mark Sullivan received the Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award for their labours, capping off the ceremony at University House on 9 November.
Mr Coyle, who tended the gardens at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics prior to the fires, said that it had taken more than a year to clean up all the trees and debris felled in the blaze.
“It’s good to be noticed. We’re happy doing it, and we have a good time. It’s not like we need a pat on the back everyday, but it is good to be acknowledged.”
The men are now carrying out extensive restoration and erosion prevention work to protect the native animals at the site, as well as creating a more drought-proof garden. Mr Sullivan said the work was its own reward, as it allowed them to work in “the best office in the world”.
“It’s a very hostile but beautiful landscape. It’s been great to see all the flora return after the fire – it adapts much more readily than we can.”
Dozens of ANU staff members were celebrated at the annual awards, sharing in $25,000 in prize money.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb described the event as a chance to pause and acknowledge the hard work of all staff members, and a chance to remember that we are all custodians of an enduring institution.
Photos from the ceremony are available at: http://info.anu.edu.au/mac/VIP_Visits_and_Protocol/_staff_awards_photos/index.asp
Read more profiles of staff award winners here.
^^
|
Search Marketing & Comm.
Home
