By Jessica Anstice
Beaconhills College in Pakenham is being recognised for their efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment as part of the annual ResourceSmart School Awards.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, has officially announced the finalists for 2019, congratulating them for ‘contributing to a better place’ – the theme for this year’s awards.
The ResourceSmart Schools Awards are Victoria’s largest sustainability awards program and recognise schools across the state that are leading the way in minimising waste, saving energy and water, increasing biodiversity and tackling climate change.
Beaconhills College was nominated as a finalist in the ‘Campus Infrastructure and Operations School of the Year’ category.
“It’s always nice to be nominated for an award. The way I always go into things is you expect just not to get it but when you do it’s really good,” Beaconhills College sustainability coordinator Jack Donkers said.
“We’re really happy and honoured that we can be appreciated for how much work we put in.
“It is one of our main key principles of the school to teach students about environmentalism and being passionate about the environment.”
The college has committed to a number of ways to reduce environmental footprint, such as installing 632 kilowatts of solar across the two campuses, building six food gardens where 35 percent of the produces grown is used in the canteen, and their newest edition, the eco-friendly Year 9 centre.
The Year 9 centre, which officially opened last year, is set amongst native trees and features energy-efficient lighting and environmental controls.
Winners will be announced at the ResourceSmart School Awards ceremony at the MCG in Melbourne on 13 June.
For more information, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/schoolsawards.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“The finalists in this year’s ResourceSmart School Awards are a wonderful mix of schools that are doing their bit to create a better place for future generations to come,” Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said.
“Congratulations to all the finalists for the fantastic work they are doing to contribute to sustainability in Victoria.”
