The many years of environmental service and activism by WEPA Secretary, Heidi Key, have been recognised with the presentation of Willoughby’s Environmental Citizen of the Year award. We are thrilled with her achievement, as our community has benefited greatly from Heidi’s generous dedication of time, energy and passion to the care and preservation of our local environment.

Many of you will have connected with Heidi through the Willoughby Council Bushcare program, or joined her in campaigning across broader social issues, particularly those relating to our indigenous culture. Or she may be familiar to you as the WEPA Membership Coordinator, greeting you at Willoughby Council and WEPA events, promoting all the important reasons to continue your support for our local environmental group.

After joining WEPA during the action to prevent the destruction of Flat Rock Gully by the Beaches Link Tunnel, Heidi stepped into a committee role in 2020 and honorary Secretary in 2024.  Her contribution goes far beyond these administrative roles – she is an invaluable member of the team, showing up at every opportunity to advocate for our local environment, such as street fairs, Willoughby Council Fauna Fair and National Tree Day. She is an inspirational ambassador for nature and through her passion encourages others to appreciate the importance of bushcare and environmental protection.

Included in Heidi’s local environmental volunteering, was participation in the notable 2007 Flat Rock Gully Creek Clean Up. Since 2011, she has been a steadfast volunteer in Willoughby Bushcare, showing up with enthusiasm across three different Bushcare groups — Flat Rock Gully, Coolaroo Reserve, and Scotts Creek. Whether it’s through bush regeneration or undertaking litter collections along Scotts creek, Heidi’s commitment is unwavering.

She has provided valuable input as a focus group participant for the 2021 Regional Litter Strategy and served on the Bicentennial Reserve and Flat Rock Gully Advisory Committee, contributing insight and advice for the betterment of our local environment. More recently, Heidi has volunteered to represent our community through the Northern Sydney Landcare Network, further expanding and sharing her knowledge in the field of environmental protection.

WEPA is genuinely appreciative of the massive effort Heidi puts into our community and our organisation. We congratulate her on being awarded Willoughby’s Environmental Citizen of the Year.  We would also like to thank Willoughby Bushcare Supervisor Monique Van Vugt for her thoughtful nomination of Heidi and other supporters at Council for acknowledging her dedication to improving outcomes for nature and community in Willoughby.

Heidi would also like to add her appreciation of all the wonderful volunteers and supporters she has met through Bushcare and WEPA.