5 February 2009

Belgian Gardens State School has won an environmental award will receive a $500 funding grant from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for their annual family fishing classic.

The GBRMPA’s ‘Ripples of Change Award’ recognises the outstanding efforts of the Rowes Bay Junior Rangers (RBJR) in conserving their adopted beach, Rowes Bay.

Ms Megan Sperring from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s (GBRMPA) Reef Guardian Schools Program said the RBJR did an outstanding job keeping Rowes Bay healthy.

“The RBJR, made up of year six students at Belgian Gardens State School, do a range of activities to look after their local beach.

“The annual Fishing Classic, a catch and release exercise, is a great way to educate the community on how to keep our beaches healthy while at the same time have fun and enjoy the beach.”

Brett Murphy, Belgian Gardens’ Reef Guardian School Program Coordinator, said he was thrilled to receive the $500 grant to make this year’s event the best one yet.

“Last year the event raised $330 for the Sea Turtle Foundation to go towards temporary fencing for turtle nesting sites.

“Maybe this year we can do even better.”

The RBJR are otherwise busy looking after Rowes Bay by doing regular beach clean ups with their own specially designed range of pick-up tools, conducting monthly Mundy Creek Watch and collecting Seagrass Watch data for the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F).

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

The award presentation will take place on Thursday 5 February at 43 Potts St, Belgian Gardens .