2025 Russell Johnstone Award Recipients
The Russell Johnstone Award honours Russell’s legacy of environmental stewardship and respect for First Nations peoples. This award celebrates individuals who provide leadership through meaningful environmental action, cultural connection and education.
Recipients have inspired others, delivered impactful projects, or improved sustainable practices. They embody a deep commitment to protecting natural assets and fostering positive, lasting change in their communities.
Adrian Shackley
Daniel Falkenberg
Adrian Shackley
Adrian has spent many years assisting Councils and other group to protect various areas of conservation significance. Adrian has identified a patch of rare daisies growing near the town of Freeling and discovered one of the most biodiverse areas in Light Regional Council on an unmade road reserve in the Moppa area.
He has assisted in the
Adrian has spent many years assisting Councils and other group to protect various areas of conservation significance. Adrian has identified a patch of rare daisies growing near the town of Freeling and discovered one of the most biodiverse areas in Light Regional Council on an unmade road reserve in the Moppa area.
He has assisted in the development of species lists for many areas and has leveraged resources from the Light Council to protect various areas of significance. He runs a native plant nursery from his back yard and works on multiple conservation strategies for Gawler and other council areas.
Andrew Philpott
Daniel Falkenberg
Adrian Shackley
Andrew has worked for Light Regional Council as Coordinator of Biodiversity and Sustainability for many years and has contributed tirelessly to the efforts of protecting biodiversity in the Northern Regions.
We are delighted to welcome Andrew onto the S41 Barossa Bushgardens Committee and recognise the wealth of knowledge, connections and experience he brings with him.
Daniel Falkenberg
Daniel Falkenberg
Daniel Falkenberg
Dan is a regenerative trail blazer and environmental champion who has pioneered the use of native insectary plants in vineyards, the use of compost tea to nourish the soil biota and replace the use of synthetic fertilisers. His leadership inspires others regionally, nationally and internationally. He has regenerated a barren parcel of lan
Dan is a regenerative trail blazer and environmental champion who has pioneered the use of native insectary plants in vineyards, the use of compost tea to nourish the soil biota and replace the use of synthetic fertilisers. His leadership inspires others regionally, nationally and internationally. He has regenerated a barren parcel of land on Peramangk Road, Nuriootpa into a thriving peppermint gum plant community and with it all the fauna found in association including breeding pairs of goshawks, a multitude of native insectary birds, microbats, predatory arthropods, lizards and frogs.
As a third-generation viticulturist and vineyard manager at Eden Hall Wines in the Eden Valley he has won numerous accolades for his approach to growing wine grapes in harmony with nature. He was an inaugural EcoGrower as a part of the EcoVineyards program and has been crowned Barossa’s viticulturist of the year in 2018 and national Young Guns of Wine ‘vineyard of the year’ in 2021 along with numerous other accolades and awards for his approach to environmental stewardship.
Lise Temple
Daniel Falkenberg
Daniel Falkenberg
Lise has been instrumental in coordinating a small but mighty tree planting project along the creek in Angaston township with a small band of local residents and volunteers. Her work and achievements represent the somewhat hidden conservation actions that local people just get on and do in their local communities.
Lise hasn’t looked for r
Lise has been instrumental in coordinating a small but mighty tree planting project along the creek in Angaston township with a small band of local residents and volunteers. Her work and achievements represent the somewhat hidden conservation actions that local people just get on and do in their local communities.
Lise hasn’t looked for recognition but is driven by taking positive actions in her local area. Her ability to rally the troops and create pathways for small but impactful environmental action is worthy of recognition under this special award and contributes to Russell’s legacy and vision.
Liz Ninnes
Stephen Anderson
Olivia Sharp
Liz's work connects her with environmental groups, community groups, schools and many more organisations, which she supports to deliver positive environmental outcomes. She is heavily involved in the building of relationships with First Nations Peoples and connecting the community with culture.
Her passion is heavily reflected in her perso
Liz's work connects her with environmental groups, community groups, schools and many more organisations, which she supports to deliver positive environmental outcomes. She is heavily involved in the building of relationships with First Nations Peoples and connecting the community with culture.
Her passion is heavily reflected in her personal life where she spends countless volunteer hours to develop not one, but two community gardens in Williamstown, organising and running workshops.
Olivia Sharp
Stephen Anderson
Olivia Sharp
Ollie is a passionate environmental advocate who has lived in the Barossa region for 13 years, earning the Barossa Young Citizen of the Year award in 2020 for her volunteer contributions. Her environmental journey began at Williamstown Pony Club, where she actively participated in working bees to care for the land. Now undertaking a PhD i
Ollie is a passionate environmental advocate who has lived in the Barossa region for 13 years, earning the Barossa Young Citizen of the Year award in 2020 for her volunteer contributions. Her environmental journey began at Williamstown Pony Club, where she actively participated in working bees to care for the land. Now undertaking a PhD in environmental psychology, Ollie explores how emotional connections to whales can inspire ocean conservation, bridging science, community, and science communication.
She completed the Young Voices of Science training in 2025 and is a dynamic communicator, sharing sustainability messages through her social media platform @ollieonearth, public presentations at the THRIVE panel, UniSA Leadership Summit, and upcoming talks with The Salty Tribe ecotourism group. Recently appointed as UniSA’s Women in Ocean Science ambassador, Ollie continues to inspire others and lead educational initiatives that shift attitudes and behaviours. Her work delivers tangible environmental benefits, and her leadership (even at such a young age) exemplifies the spirit of the Russell Johnstone Award.
Stephen Anderson
Stephen Anderson
Stephen Anderson
Stephen has been a member of the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (URTLG) since its inception in 1989 and is the current Chairperson. He has provided continuous service for 36 years in this volunteer role and contributes tirelessly in all facets of landcare. Steve is always willing to help on the ground with projects, roust up volunteer
Stephen has been a member of the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group (URTLG) since its inception in 1989 and is the current Chairperson. He has provided continuous service for 36 years in this volunteer role and contributes tirelessly in all facets of landcare. Steve is always willing to help on the ground with projects, roust up volunteers for events, organise site preparations, tools, equipment and displays for events.
He is a valued member of the Mount Pleasant and surrounding community and his revegetation work and legacy over the past 3.5 decades can be seen across the region on many properties.