19 February 2009

Students from Ignatius Park College have earned themselves a prestigious environmental award from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, along with a one thousand dollar grant to continue their endeavours.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett announced late last year that the students were receiving a Reef Guardian School Award for their outstanding environmental efforts.

Senator Jan McLucas, who presented the award to the school, said the ‘Sea Stars Award’ is special because it recognises student ownership of a project.

“These students are taking carriage of sustainability initiatives to reduce the impact of their school and community on the Great Barrier Reef.

“They are coming up with the ideas of what they can do to be more sustainable and making it happen.”

Senator Jan McLucas said the students will use the grant money for actions such as development of a stand out recycling program.

“Students have already organised a ‘mobile phone muster’ where people could swap their old mobile phones for tree seedlings.

“The school has significantly reduced the amount of rubbish they send to landfill and has collected and recycled many mobile phones.

“It is inspiring to see students working with their communities to make a real difference to our environment.”

The environmental initiatives happening at Ignatius Park College can be replicated in the home where everybody can do their part to look after the Great Barrier Reef.

The award is to be presented at Ignatius Park College at 9am on Thursday 19 February at 368 Ross River Road Cranbrook.