On Thursday 7 September, 230 students from 19 local schools attended the St Kilda Town Hall to participate in our School Sustainability Festival.
Now in its 18th year, this is Victoria’s longest running school festival celebrating the leadership and achievements of our young sustainability leaders!
Falling on National Threatened Species Day, the festival was brimming with energy and passion to conserve and protect our environment! The morning included interactive student-led workshops on a diverse range of sustainability topics including how to build nest boxes, make mud bricks and propagate plants. There were also composting games, bird quizzes, nude food songs, and informative presentations on marine ecosystems and fossil fuels. Our Awards Ceremony was presented by the Honorable Nina Taylor MP, and the day was also attended by Councillors from the City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington and Glen Eira City Council.
The afternoon celebrations saw students enjoy engaging activities run by the EcoCentre as well as our special guest educators, local naturalist Gio Fitzpatrick, Reptile Encounters, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Jaeden from Biik Bundjil and the City of Port Phillip’s Transport Team.
Thank you to the students and teachers for all their passion and commitment, to the EcoCentre staff and volunteers, guest educators, councillor speakers and attendees, as well as the City of Port Phillip, Bayside City Council, the City of Stonnington and Glen Eira City Council for funding this special day.
“Thank you for organising such an incredible festival for our students. It was a wonderful event to be a part of and the ‘kids teaching kids’ component gave our students a huge boost in confidence, which was great to see! The organisation was seamless. It was a really special day.” Teacher, Coatesville Primary School
“I really loved getting to understand the plants and animals of my community. When I get back to school, I will discuss all the information I have taken to my class about biodiversity and swift parrots” Student Leader
“I really loved everyone’s support and presenting! I loved meeting new kids into the same stuff as me! Thank you for hosting this festival for all of us, it was really fun!” Student Leader
Photography courtesy of Hannah Baird and Tom Craft
