Matt Charles-Jones – founder of Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) and long-time Indigo Power supporter, customer and shareholder – has been nominated in Australian of the Year Awards as a contender in the Victoria Local Hero category.
The Local Hero Award acknowledges extraordinary contributions made by an individual in their local community, and what a number of contributions Matt has made.
Matt founded TRY, a volunteer-run community energy group, in 2014 with the aim to make Yackandandah’s energy 100% renewable by 2022. His drive has inspired and motivated many to form community energy groups across the state.
Matt, TRY and Indigo Power have worked together to achieve this goal. The town now has its own solar energy grid, with almost 500 small-scale solar power systems installed and a big battery on the horizon. Earlier this month TRY received a $170,000 grant from the Victorian Government to support and expand a community-owned battery, providing more clean energy to the Yackandandah Community Energy Hub and a vital step toward the town reaching its goal.
We are so proud of the work Matt has done and continues to do – Congrats on your nomination Matt!
Indigo Power and TRY and the Yackandandah Community Hub Launch. November 2019.