Two Council staff have received top honours at the Environmental Health Australia (EHA) NSW Excellence Awards, recognising their outstanding dedication, leadership and contribution to public health across NSW.
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Glendon Lee, was named NSW Environmental Health Professional of the Year, while Environmental Health Officer – Soil and Water, Kate Balding, received the NSW Environmental Health Early Career Professional of the Year award at a ceremony in Canberra on Wednesday.
“This is a proud moment for Council. It’s a testament to Glendon and Kate’s professionalism, expertise, and commitment, and it reflects highly on their team,” said Mayor Patricia White said.
“Glendon’s award recognises his dedication, technical expertise and leadership in delivering positive public health outcomes for our community. Kate’s award acknowledges the significant impact she has made early in her career and highlights her passion, innovation and commitment to environmental health,” Cr White said.
Mr Lee has been working in environmental health for more than 20 years and is widely respected for his expertise, leadership, collaborative approach and commitment to improving public health, particularly in regional and Aboriginal communities.
Through his work with the NSW Health Future Agendas Working Group and the NSW Health Private Water Supply Working Group, he has helped strengthen environmental health policy, workforce capability and public health protections across the state.
Mr Lee was also recognised for his commitment to mentoring environmental health professionals and leading collaboration across the sector, including establishing and chairing the South East NSW On-site Wastewater Systems Interagency Collaboration Group.
Ms Balding has worked as an environmental health officer for four years, specialising in soil and water management.
She has achieved outstanding results improving building site compliance rates across the Shoalhaven. This work led to Ms Balding presenting at the International Erosion Control Association Australasian Conference this week, speaking on how productive relationships between regulators and the building industry can drive better environmental outcomes.
Ms Balding also established Council’s Underground Petroleum Storage System (UPSS) inspection program, creating a comprehensive register and inspection program. She shared the initiative with attendees at the EHA conference, held in conjunction with the awards.
Cr White said Council staff continued to shine, with the awards for environmental health officers occurring in the same week that City Performance Director, Katie Buckman, People and Culture Manager, Amanda Crangle and Wastewater Operations Manager, Keira Whitford were honoured at the 2026 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.
