3 March 2009

Bowen State School has won an environmental award and a $500 grant from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to improve their school recycling program.

The ‘Ripples of Change Award’ recognises the outstanding contribution Bowen State School has made to looking after their coastal and marine environment.

Ms Megan Sperring from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s (GBRMPA) Reef Guardian Schools Program said the $500 grant will go towards implementing compost bins and worm farms to recycle the school’s organic waste.

“The composting and worm farms will go a long way in reducing the overall amount of waste the school produces.

“In addition, another exciting project this grant will help fund is the construction of an aluminium recycling cage.

This means much less waste going to landfill and being recycled instead.”

Mr Ian Haworth, Bowen State School’s Reef Guardian School Program Coordinator, said he was thrilled the school was receiving recognition for the work the school is carrying out.

“Our school is very involved in caring for our environment.

“We have adopted Horseshoe Bay, Rose Bay and Front Beach and regularly do clean ups and Seagrass Watch with the Department of Fisheries and water quality testing with Port Corporation Queensland.

“This recycling program will help us even further reduce our impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Leonie Maddigan, Reef Guardian Schools Project Officer for the GBRMPA, will present the award to Bowen State School and personally thank the school on behalf of the GBRMPA for their efforts in helping to conserve the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

The award will be presented at Bowen State School at 1:30pm on Tuesday 3 March, 2009.