Speedy saviours
RESTORING old bicycles and encouraging students to use pedal power rather than petrol is just one of the ways Wooranna Park Primary School is promoting sustainability.
Picture: STEPHEN HARMANWooranna Park Primary School student Nikolina with a blue tongue lizard.The Dandenong North school’s environmental programs are so plentiful it won the Sustainable School category in this year’s Greater Dandenong Sustainability Awards.
School environmental educator Anthony Lyon said the green projects – such as creating an edible garden and monitoring and reducing the school’s energy use – provided the students with hands- on tasks that provided real outcomes. He said the school community was pleased to accept the Sustainability Award.
“They are very proud to know we are heading in a direction that promotes and supports the longevity of the planet, local environments and kids getting their hands dirty outside,” Mr Lyon said.
The school’s long list of environmentally-friendly projects includes installing solar panels that has led to the school reducing its energy consumption by 15 per cent, installing a rainwater tank to supply their gardens, using recycling and organic waste bins in each classroom and holding regular market days with stalls selling fresh produce and eggs as well as up-cycled jewellery and nest boxes created by students for birds and possums. The school also runs a cooking classroom where students create fare with ingredients grown in its edible garden.
Also recognised by the Greater Dandenong Sustainability Awards was Noble Park resident Eddie Botha, who won the Sustainable Home and Garden category for introducing green practices at home.
Students from three schools shared the title of Sustainable Students.
Noble Park Primary School students Sa Up and Yuhao Chen, who are the chicken monitors at their school and are responsible for feeding the chickens, collecting eggs and protecting the coop.
Emily Stephens and Sonja Iovan, from Wooranna Park Primary School, won the title for their work leading environmental programs at their school.
Dandenong Mayor Heang Tak congratulated them.
“It is through the leadership and commitment of individuals and organisations such as the Botha family and these environmentally-committed schools that the future of a sustainable and sustainably- aware city grows,” he said.
