12 August 2009 

Students from the Gympie region will undertake a number of environmental activities as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School's Future Leaders Eco Challenge (FLEC).

This year's travelling education road show themed 'Kids Combat Climate Change' will give school students the chance to come together to share ideas, learn from each other and showcase their school and community sustainability initiatives.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Guardian Schools Program Manager Megan Sperring said this was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great environmental projects schools in Gympie are working on.

“As part of the FLEC program of events, we will be travelling between different local project sites, showcasing impressive activities schools and community organisations are undertaking to improve sustainability practices in the region," she said.

"By taking students to different locations we will be exposing them to a wide variety of projects which will assist students to think outside the square and encourage them to come up with activities they can implement at their own schools."

Gympie East State School Principal James Watt said the FLEC would assist with environmental activities and initiatives already successfully implemented in the region.

"Gympie students care about the Great Barrier Reef and are doing some great work in the schools and wider community to help protect this natural treasure," he said.

"This event allows students to share ideas on environmental activities in a fun and collaborative way."

The Gympie FLEC is one of 14 taking place over the next three months across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

 The Gympie FLEC is an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority supported by Bunnings Warehouse, Burnett Mary Regional Group and the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.