Environmentalist Angela Ashley-Chiew said having her efforts recognised in this year’s Maribyrnong civic awards came as a lovely surprise.
Ms Ashley-Chiew was last month named Maribyrnong’s Volunteer of the Year for her efforts as a community organiser and climate advocate with groups such as Climate Action Maribyrnong, Parents 4 Climate, and Better Streets.
She’s also been and has been a key figure in initiatives like Permaculture Out West and Reimagining the Old Footscray Hospital Site.
Originally from Adelaide, Ms Ashley-Chiew moved to Melbourne in her 20’s for a music career before a job with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation sparked a love of permaculture, a love that blossomed when she later moved to Maribyrnong.
“I went along to some gardening workshops at Maidstone Community Centre, and joined Permaculture Out West,” she said.
“We ran permaculture workshops, playgroups, preserving sessions, a plant nursery – so many things.
“I was hooked.”
Ms Ashley-Chiew had always been interested in the environment and natural world thanks to learning about it from her grandfather who was a forest ranger and farmer in the Philipines.
But as she had children and the threat from climate change became more apparent, her interest in the environment grew into climate activism.
“I realised I had to do more,” she said.
“All the issues the people are concerned with now are only going to be amplified by climate impacts. A growing number of people get this but many still haven’t quite connected the dots.”
Ms Ashley-Chiew said while her advocacy and activism were ever evolving, her view of volunteering remained the same.
“For me, volunteering isn’t just about giving time — it’s about care, community, and courage to keep things going on the ground and speak up when the system needs to change.”
