Hot news:

Art of Sustainability Festival 2008, National Wool Museum
Teacher Sustainability Workshops & they're FREE
Thursday 23rd October 2008, 4-5.30 pm

TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (choose A OR B)
Workshop A
Creating Sustainable Futures - Jim Mead and Kathryn Goyen
Enjoy this session of reflective time and experience an innovative method for creative self-inquiry and thinking about sustainability. This art-based inquiry uses OBLIQUE inspirations® - a set of 48 cards - to enable mind and heart to explore, reveal and shape other ways of seeing, understanding and 'doing' sustainability.

OR

Workshop B
ResourceSmart/AuSSi Vic - How to Improve the Triple Bottom Line at your school - Anthony Mangelsdorf
- Find out about ResourceSmart/AuSSI Vic
- Extend your Sustainability Knowledge by playing the Sustainability In Context Quiz
- Learn about SETS (School Environment Tracking System),
AND...
The Perth REmida Centre - Elissa McAuliffe
Elissa McAuliffe will share her experience in setting up the REmida centre in Perth. REmida is an international network of “Creative reuse centres” that support the community, in particular young people, to build a culture of creativity and sustainability.

Click here for further information

MobileMuster Schools
Recycling Challenge
- registration deadline extended to 17th October

The challenge is simple – Muster up old mobile phones for recycling by the end of National Recycling Week, Friday 14th November 2008.

Rewards are based on total kgs collected, so it’s time to get students to “Spring Clean” at home and recycle old mobiles.

For more information click here
To Register click here

Victorian Solar in Schools Initiative - 2008/2009 funding round now open

The Victorian Solar in Schools Initiative (VSiSI) is designed to complement the Australian Government’s National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) and maximise the funding opportunities for all Victorian schools to install photovoltaic grid-connected solar power systems. Victorian schools are eligible to apply for both the VSiSI and the NSSP.

Schools are encouraged to consider how these infrastructure funding programs support the implementation of sustainability in their schools through a holistic approach that incorporates infrastructure, curriculum, operations and school-community partnerships.

Schools need to complete separate application forms for the VSiSI and the NSSP. To align the programs and expedite the process as best as possible it is recommended that schools:

1) Register for the NSSP to find out how much funding they are eligible to receive.

2) Once they know their NSSP amount and have worked out their priorities for water and energy efficiency measures, including the size of the solar power system, complete and submit the VSiSI application form.

If successful, schools will most likely receive their pre-approval for VSiSI funding prior to submitting their NSSP claim form and entering into their funding agreement. This way schools will know how much they will have to spend prior to commencing their project.

Please remember that the VSiSI funding is a rebate paid after installation whereas the NSSP funding is paid up front.

For further information and to download the application package and schools application form visit www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au and go to For educators > Rebates and grants.

Did You Know?

• 84% of Victorians are concerned about the current state of the environment, with 38% very concerned
• 42% of Victorians nominate a lack of water as the most important environmental issue for attention by the Victorian Government
• 90% of Victorians feel they can do something about the environment as individuals
• 82% feel it's worth doing something to help the environment even if others do not
• 75% feel growing pressure to change the way they live to reduce the impact of climate change

These key findings are from the The Green Light Report: Victorians and the Environment in 2008. It is the state's first comprehensive benchmark of the environmental attitudes and behaviours of Victorians. It was commissioned by Sustainability Victoria and produced in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and environment.

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The report provides insights into what Victorians think about environmental issues, how sustainable Victorian households are, and what Victorians are doing to minimise their impact on the environment.

Visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/greenlightreport to view the online report and to download copies of the summary and full reports.