Brian Gallagher – Timaru District Council Community Awards Winner

Brian Gallagher has been the driving force behind South Canterbury’s sustainability movement for over 20 years. In 2002 he founded the Aoraki Wastebusters Charitable Trust (now known as Sustainable South Canterbury Trust) with the primary purpose of diverting goods from the Landfill. This led to the opening of the Crows Nest reuse shop in partnership with Timaru District Council in 2004. Now celebrating 21 years, the shop employs 12 staff, involves volunteers, and has become a model of community reuse and recycling. In 2022, after years of fundraising and planning, Brian helped open the South Canterbury Eco Centre, now a hub for learning, collaboration, and practical sustainability solutions.

 

Under Brian’s guidance, the Trust has expanded to include kerbside and rural collections, battery and e-waste recycling, biodiversity projects, sustainability education, and the Repair Café. In 2023–24 alone, more than 380,000kg of goods were diverted from landfill and over 60,000kg of e-waste recovered.

As volunteer Chair, Brian continues to mentor staff and trustees, build partnerships, and inspire the community. His leadership and passion have shaped a thriving, award-winning Trust that benefits families, schools, businesses, and the wider district.

 

For his vision, commitment, and lasting impact, Brian Gallagher is a most deserving recipient of the Timaru District Council Community Award. Thank you Brian!!