Awarded to Save Kosci Inc for organising a 560km, 36-day protest walk from Sydney to Mt Kosciuszko in November and December 2018.

Save Kosci Inc was formed when a group of bushwalkers became alarmed at legislation passed by the NSW Parliament in June 2018 that protected feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park. Already they were concerned about the rapid increase in horse damage in their beloved national park. The legislation would make a serious problem more intractable.

Save Kosci undertook the logistics for the long-distance walk including route planning, securing permission form land managers and police, walker registration and accommodation, vehicle support and walker safety.

More than 600 people participated in the event. Five walkers undertook the full 36 day walk to Mt Kosciuszko joined by other walkers completing shorter sections. The walk culminated in the ascent of the Mt Kosciuszko summit where 200 walkers converged from several directions.

Walkers along the way met with state politicians and local businesses and organisations. A protest was held outside the local office of the architect of the horse protection legislation, Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

The walk was a complex undertaking organised will little lead time. It succeeded in drawing public attention to the impacts of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park and inspiring people to become more active in seeking action to solve the problem.