Indigenous campaigner wins national environment award

Veteran Aboriginal activist Kevin Buzzacott has been awarded the Australian Conservation Foundation's (ACF) 2007 Peter Rawlinson Award for his work over two decades highlighting the impacts of uranium mining and promoting a nuclear-free Australia.

Buzzacott, an Arabanna man, has drawn attention to the extensive environmental, social and cultural impacts of BHP Billiton's massive Olympic Dam uranium mine. The mine uses some 35 million litres of Great Artesian Basin water each day, free of charge, and is trying to further increase its water allocation.

According to ACF executive director Don Henry, "For many young activists 'Uncle Kev' is truly an unsung hero and, against the current pro-nuclear tide, his is a very important struggle and story".

From GLW issue 713