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."
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.
