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Colin Taylor
Colin Taylor of Mawson Lakes received a City of Salisbury Living Legends Award for 2009 in the Environmental category.
Perhaps best known for his founding of and leadership of Mawson Lakes Environment Watch (MLEW), Colin has been a positive contributor to the Salisbury Community far longer than the MLEW group has been active. It can perhaps be considered the culmination of all his personal environmental interests, efforts and intentions that MLEW is as a successful a volunteer community group within the City of Salisbury.
Colin has a background in Science (Chemistry degree) and in information retrieval services to research scientists – as a librarian in industry and in universities. These skills led him to a self-education in climate change and environmental issues upon retirement. Colin and his family have lived in Salisbury since 1977; 26 years in Para Hills and in Mawson Lakes since 2003. He also spent his working life in Salisbury over the same period at the South Australian Institute of Technology at The Levels and subsequently the University of South Australia at the now Mawson Lakes Campus.
A firm commitment to community involvement by Colin is evident: during the ten years that he participated in Rotary events as a member and in various office bearing rolls, he participated in many community projects including the construction of a bird hide at the Paddocks Wetlands and an observation platform at the Greenfields Wetlands.
Colin also served as Treasurer to the Mawson Lakes Hotel Social Club for 2 years.
In 2005 Colin undertook a training course run by Energy SA to qualify as a Home Energy Auditor to advise on energy saving measures that could be applied in households, thus channelling his concern for climate change and the environment into practical skills. Thereafter, in 2006, he approached the Community Development Manager at Mawson Lakes Development to propose establishing a cooperative working relationship with a view to getting residents more involved in progressing Mawson Lakes as a sustainable suburb. Simultaneously, Colin registered as a backyard grower for Trees For Life to assist with revegetation in SA and preservation of the environment.
In 2007, with assistance from Delfin, Colin set up the Mawson Lakes Challenge to recruit sufficient growers to produce 15 000 trees for 'Trees For Life' – a target based on the number of trees needed to offset the greenhouse gas emissions of the total households and lighting within Mawson Lakes. Despite challenging drought conditions the 17 growers produced nearly 11 000 seedlings. A grant from the Savings and Loans Credit Union enabled necessary materials to be purchased to construct propagation tables for the seedlings. Four Growers are still active in this process and have joined MLEW and last season Colin delivered nearly 500 healthy seedlings of his own.
In true ‘green’ spirit, Colin has used his own home to create a test laboratory for energy efficiency and sustainability. He has ‘Energy Audited’ his own home and reduced his family’s energy use (ie greenhouse gas emissions) by 40% which together with his installation of solar panels makes a total of 75% reduction. He told me that “receiving energy bills showing a credit is a bonus." He has future plans to increase their solar energy capacity to a point where the household is ‘all electric’ generated by environmentally friendly methods and looks forward to the availability of the “plug-in electric car” to be run from his home generated source!
Mawson Lakes Environment Watch (MLEW), an official ‘group’ formed on 5 June (World Environment Day) in 2008, was born out of a desire to involve residents from the tree scheme in more proactive works within their local community and spread the message of sustainability to the community as a whole - benefiting both the residents and the natural surroundings which are shared by all.
Mawson Lakes Environment Watch has it’s own ‘sub-site’ - featuring prominently on this (Mawson Lakes) Community Website. Of the 70 odd registered MLEW members there is a working group of around 30 ‘regulars’ who practically apply the aims of MLEW in our Community. Some of these efforts include:
- Encouraging environmentally sustainable actions eg recycling
- Growing and planting of trees
- Graffiti removal
- Litter control
- Weed control
- Involvement in and spreading news of local and national events (‘clean up Australia’, ‘environmental expo – Mawson Centre’, SA volunteers day, Schools tree planting day – Planet Ark etc)
- Communication of environmental tips for sustainable living: through monthly newsletter, weekly tips & in person at community events.
Colin was quick to point out during my construction of the article regarding His nomination that those who have assisted him in his endeavours should please be noted. A sign, I think, of a truly community minded group leader. Mawson Lakes Environment Watch was recognised early on as a Volunteer Community Group by the The City of Salisbury and several members of MLEW are registered as volunteers with the Council which provides equipment, supplies, training, advice and supervision as needed. MLEW is also registered as a Volunteer Community Group with the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Division of the Natural Resources Management Board and through that receives insurances for members from the State Government Captive Insurance Corporation.
Cooperation with the Project Director and staff of Mawson Lakes Development in administrative and promotional instances have assisted in the ‘launch’ of MLEW as a group and their continued visibility in the community arena.
Comment from Vince Rigter, Project Director, Mawson Lakes:
"MLEW are actively involved in educating the community on environmental sustainability and generating awareness of community events such as Clean up Australia Day and SA Volunteers Day. Colin’s passion and drive for the environment and his community mean that all residents and visitors to Mawson Lakes benefit from his actions and the actions and efforts of the other dedicated volunteers of the MLEW group."
Congratulations to Colin on the Award and Mawson Lakes Environment Watch on their commendable, ongoing efforts.
For more on MLEW click here
MLEW volunteers in action
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