Hot news:

Geelong Sustainable Living Awards

The Geelong
Sustainable Living
Awards is a program
proudly supported by
the Geelong Advertiser,
GT magazine, City of Greater Geelong,
Barwon Water and Bunnings.
The awards recognise excellence in sustainable living and reward those that have successfully
adapted to this way
of life. They also encourage others to
take similar steps.

This competition is
open to homes and schools in the Barwon Region.

Entries Close 23rd October 2008

Find out more...

Junior Landcare Grants Program

Through the Junior Landcare Grants Program, any school or organisation that would like to involve their students in landcare projects, in conjunction with local landcare groups, can apply for grants to assist them with the cost of their projects.

The program targets major issues relevant to our natural environment including:
- Water quality/
conservation
- Waste reduction/recycling
- School Gardens
- Biodiversity
- Land

Closing dates:
Round 3:
1st August
Round 4:
24th October

Find out more...

Sustainable Living Challenge

The Sustainable Living Challenge is a leading national secondary schools program that encourages students and their teachers to explore sustainability issues as a part of the school experience.

Find out more...

Successful BRWMG Grant Recipients

Congratulations to the following schools that received grant funding from Barwon Regional Waste Management Group:

Lorne-Aireys Inlet
P-12 College
- A focus on waste reduction by including “nude lunches” into the school routine

St John's Lutheran PS
- Implementing a composting system at school to recycling school organic waste for the grade 3’s vegetable garden

Lara Primary School
- Introduction of Environmental Monitors (Environmental HERO’s -Heat, Energy and Resource Officers) in each classroom. They will be responsible for ensuring the school's 3 bin waste sorting systems work, minimizing electricity use, feeding the class pets and collecting water from the bubbling taps to feed the classroom plants.

Free online solar and renewable energy resources from Origin

Activities are suitable for students in Years 5-10.

Each topic provides:

- fun and interactive classroom or homework activities
- strong curriculum connections
- background information
- useful diagrams and interesting experiments

Find out more...

Tips for Holiday Shutdown

Remind staff to turn off their computers and monitors at the power point.

Shutdown copiers, printers and scanners.

Switch off the fridge – but ensure it is cleaned out first!

Turn off refrigerated drink coolers and hot water boilers.

Waste Wise Fact

Recycling PET bottles saves 84% of the energy it takes to make PET bottles from raw materials

source: http://www.
sustainability.vic.
gov.au/resources/
documents/Info_6_-_Plastic.doc

2008 RESOURCESMART SCHOOLS AWARDS NOW OPEN….

Entries for the 2008 ResourceSmart Schools Awards are now open with all Victorian primary and secondary schools throughout Victoria being encouraged to enter.

The awards, sponsored by Sustainability Victoria, recognise Victorian schools working towards a sustainable future and offer a $25,000 prize pool to assist schools with their sustainability projects.

The 2008 ResourceSmart Schools Award categories are:

Victoria’s Energy Smart School of the Year Award;
Victoria’s Water Smart School of the Year Award;
Victoria’s Waste Smart School of the Year Award; and
Victoria’s Biodiversity Smart School of the Year Award.

Schools entering three or more of the categories will automatically be considered for the ResourceSmart School of the Year Award.

There are separate judging categories for primary and secondary schools but only one school will be recognised as the overall winner.

The ResourceSmart School of the Year will also be invited to the 2009 Premier’s Sustainability Awards in April, 2009.

Entries close Friday, 22 August, 2008, with the awards ceremony being held in November, 2008.

To find out more click here.

For further information on the Awards visit www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com or contact Michelle Pipino at michelle@fire-starter.com.au or on (03) 9329 3736

RESOURCESMART AND
WASTE WISE SCHOOLS

ResourceSmart Schools is Sustainability Victoria's new program for schools incorporating the following areas of learning: waste, energy, water and biodiversity to encourage behaviour change and understanding in sustainability issues. It is integrating and expanding on existing programs including Waste Wise and the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI Vic).

The Waste Wise Schools Program is soon to be replaced by ResourceSmart Schools. If you are a Waste Wise certified school or are about to be certified your certification will still be recognised for the full 2 year period and then you will be invited to join the ResourceSmart Schools Program.

From 2008 to 2011, 30 new schools each year will be funded through Sustainability Victoria to undertake the Waste Module of AuSSI Vic and linking it to the rest of the ResourceSmart Schools program.

Places for 2008 have already been filled but a FREE ResourceSmart - Waste workshop will be offered in Term 3 - see details below.

Schools that are not in the 30 funded places or are not able to attend the workshop can still participate by:

Utilising free resources on CERES, DEECD and SV websites (including module checklists) independently working through requirements and seeking advice from the Regional Education Officer from their local Regional Waste Management Group, when required
Fee for Service - seek CERES or commercial provider to run the waste module for a cost of around $1200 and find funding through alternative avenues e.g. Local Government or school self-fund

FREE RESOURCESMART - WASTE WORKSHOP
August 2008
Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre,
North Geelong

Schools that have not received one of the funded ResourceSmart places for either the waste or core modules and are not currently Waste Wise certified are invited to attend a FREE ResourceSmart Schools - Waste Workshop.

This FREE workshop will provide you with information tools and resources to assist your school to minimise the consumption of natural resources and production of waste and to implement environmentally conscious actions that people can readily take on as part of their day-to-day lives.

Support will be provided to schools post the workshop to develop their waste minimisation program and assist with certification.

More details will be available at the beginning of Term 3.
For enquiries please contact Simone Budd, simone.budd@brwmg.vic.gov.au or 0428 810 345

ART of SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL
20-21, 23-24 October 2008

After a successful start to this festival last year, the Art of Sustainability Festival is on again at the National Wool Museum.

The festival includes FREE sustainability workshops for students and teachers.

For enquiries please contact Meg Parker at parker.meagan.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

More details will be sent out early Term 3.

MAKING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM CONTAGIOUS!

This free workshop was held on April 16th.

The aims of the workshop were to assistant participants to::

engage their school community
build ownership,
design messages that stick and
focus on a solutions approach

A one page summary of the workshop can be accessed by clicking here.

Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre

Looking for an excursion to support your Waste Wise Initiatives? Look no further! The Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre inspires and empowers people to make responsible choices for a sustainable future.

Our programs are interactive and involve a diverse range of hands-on and small group activities. Our programs are linked to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).

Click on the titles of the programs below to access the information sheets or the program brochure to see a brief overview of all our programs

To view the Program Brochure click here
To view pictures of the Centre click here
To access a booking sheet click here





Term 2 2008
Hot news: Geelong Sustainable Living Awards The Geelong Sustainable Living Awards is a program proudly supported by the Geelong Advertiser, GT magazine, City of Greater Geelong, Barwon Water and Bunnings. The awards recognise excellence in sustainable living and reward those that have successfully adapted to this way of life. They also encourage others to take similar steps. This competition is open to homes and schools in the Barwon Region. Entries Close 23rd October 2008 Find out more... Junior Landcare Grants Program Through the Junior Landcare Grants Program, any school or organisation that would like to involve their students in landcare projects, in conjunction with local landcare groups, can apply for grants to assist them with the cost of their projects. The program targets major issues relevant to our natural environment including: - Water quality/ conservation - Waste reduction/recycling - School Gardens - Biodiversity - Land Closing dates: Round 3: 1st August Round 4: 24th October Find out more... Sustainable Living Challenge The Sustainable Living Challenge is a leading national secondary schools program that encourages students and their teachers to explore sustainability issues as a part of the school experience. Find out more... Successful BRWMG Grant Recipients Congratulations to the following schools that received grant funding from Barwon Regional Waste Management Group: Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12 College - A focus on waste reduction by including “nude lunches” into the school routine St John's Lutheran PS - Implementing a composting system at school to recycling school organic waste for the grade 3’s vegetable garden Lara Primary School - Introduction of Environmental Monitors (Environmental HERO’s -Heat, Energy and Resource Officers) in each classroom. They will be responsible for ensuring the school's 3 bin waste sorting systems work, minimizing electricity use, feeding the class pets and collecting water from the bubbling taps to feed the classroom plants. Free online solar and renewable energy resources from Origin Activities are suitable for students in Years 5-10. Each topic provides: - fun and interactive classroom or homework activities - strong curriculum connections - background information - useful diagrams and interesting experiments Find out more... Tips for Holiday Shutdown Remind staff to turn off their computers and monitors at the power point. Shutdown copiers, printers and scanners. Switch off the fridge – but ensure it is cleaned out first! Turn off refrigerated drink coolers and hot water boilers. Waste Wise Fact Recycling PET bottles saves 84% of the energy it takes to make PET bottles from raw materials source: http://www. sustainability.vic. gov.au/resources/ documents/Info_6_-_Plastic.doc 2008 RESOURCESMART SCHOOLS AWARDS NOW OPEN…. Entries for the 2008 ResourceSmart Schools Awards are now open with all Victorian primary and secondary schools throughout Victoria being encouraged to enter. The awards, sponsored by Sustainability Victoria, recognise Victorian schools working towards a sustainable future and offer a $25,000 prize pool to assist schools with their sustainability projects. The 2008 ResourceSmart Schools Award categories are: Victoria’s Energy Smart School of the Year Award; Victoria’s Water Smart School of the Year Award; Victoria’s Waste Smart School of the Year Award; and Victoria’s Biodiversity Smart School of the Year Award. Schools entering three or more of the categories will automatically be considered for the ResourceSmart School of the Year Award. There are separate judging categories for primary and secondary schools but only one school will be recognised as the overall winner. The ResourceSmart School of the Year will also be invited to the 2009 Premier’s Sustainability Awards in April, 2009. Entries close Friday, 22 August, 2008, with the awards ceremony being held in November, 2008. To find out more click here. For further information on the Awards visit www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com or contact Michelle Pipino at michelle@fire-starter.com.au or on (03) 9329 3736 RESOURCESMART AND WASTE WISE SCHOOLS ResourceSmart Schools is Sustainability Victoria's new program for schools incorporating the following areas of learning: waste, energy, water and biodiversity to encourage behaviour change and understanding in sustainability issues. It is integrating and expanding on existing programs including Waste Wise and the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI Vic). The Waste Wise Schools Program is soon to be replaced by ResourceSmart Schools. If you are a Waste Wise certified school or are about to be certified your certification will still be recognised for the full 2 year period and then you will be invited to join the ResourceSmart Schools Program. From 2008 to 2011, 30 new schools each year will be funded through Sustainability Victoria to undertake the Waste Module of AuSSI Vic and linking it to the rest of the ResourceSmart Schools program. Places for 2008 have already been filled but a FREE ResourceSmart - Waste workshop will be offered in Term 3 - see details below. Schools that are not in the 30 funded places or are not able to attend the workshop can still participate by: Utilising free resources on CERES, DEECD and SV websites (including module checklists) independently working through requirements and seeking advice from the Regional Education Officer from their local Regional Waste Management Group, when required Fee for Service - seek CERES or commercial provider to run the waste module for a cost of around $1200 and find funding through alternative avenues e.g. Local Government or school self-fund FREE RESOURCESMART - WASTE WORKSHOP August 2008 Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre, North Geelong Schools that have not received one of the funded ResourceSmart places for either the waste or core modules and are not currently Waste Wise certified are invited to attend a FREE ResourceSmart Schools - Waste Workshop. This FREE workshop will provide you with information tools and resources to assist your school to minimise the consumption of natural resources and production of waste and to implement environmentally conscious actions that people can readily take on as part of their day-to-day lives. Support will be provided to schools post the workshop to develop their waste minimisation program and assist with certification. More details will be available at the beginning of Term 3. For enquiries please contact Simone Budd, simone.budd@brwmg.vic.gov.au or 0428 810 345 ART of SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL 20-21, 23-24 October 2008 After a successful start to this festival last year, the Art of Sustainability Festival is on again at the National Wool Museum. The festival includes FREE sustainability workshops for students and teachers. For enquiries please contact Meg Parker at parker.meagan.a@edumail.vic.gov.au More details will be sent out early Term 3. MAKING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM CONTAGIOUS! This free workshop was held on April 16th. The aims of the workshop were to assistant participants to:: engage their school community build ownership, design messages that stick and focus on a solutions approach A one page summary of the workshop can be accessed by clicking here. Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre Looking for an excursion to support your Waste Wise Initiatives? Look no further! The Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre inspires and empowers people to make responsible choices for a sustainable future. Our programs are interactive and involve a diverse range of hands-on and small group activities. Our programs are linked to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS). Click on the titles of the programs below to access the information sheets or the program brochure to see a brief overview of all our programs To view the Program Brochure click here To view pictures of the Centre click here To access a booking sheet click here


Barwon Regional Waste Management Group \| 103 Roseneath St, North Geelong, 3215 ph: (03) 5277 9656 \| fax: (03) 5277 9979 \| email: simone.budd@brwmg.vic.gov.au to unsubscribe click here