Joshua Gilbert won the Award from a strong field of young achievers.
The winners were announced on Friday 1 March at Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, hosted by 7 News Presenter Michael Usher.
Commenting on the importance to communities of the Awards, Mr Ellis said that First National along with Prime Seven were honoured to be the only major sponsors nationally.
“Leadership is action, not noise. Liking something on Facebook is not leadership; holding a placard for five minutes is not leadership; disagreeing with someone and refusing to enter a debate is not leadership. It’s about listening to other people,” said Mr Ellis.
“What makes Australia great is not noise, it’s action, and we’re so proud to recognise the actions of every single participant in these awards because they’ve done something rather than just think or talk about it.”
Over 400 guests gathered from across New South Wales and the ACT, including official guest The Hon Ray Williams MP, Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Disability Services, representing The Hon John Barilaro MP, NSW Deputy Premier, to celebrate the high achievers.
Joshua Gilbert, 27, of Gloucester is a Worimi man who combines his environmental and agricultural knowledge with indigenous wisdom and values to tackle climate change.
He was invited to take part in Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, resulting in the Australia’s Young Green Farmers video, viewed in 75 countries by over 100 million people.
Josh is the co-founder of Australian Farmers for Climate Action, calling for urgent climate action to ensure a prosperous future for rural and regional Australia.
He has received multiple conservation and sustainability awards and is on the boards of Bridging the Gap, Intrepid Landcare and the NESP Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub.
