Poowong Consolidated School has been nominated as a finalist in two categories of the 2024 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.
The school prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and because of this effort is a finalist in the student action team of the year and community leadership school of the year primary school categories.
The school's "Green Team" is active in supporting events and fundraising for sustainability causes. The team leads the school's Harvest Festival, collecting surplus produce from homes, orchards, farms, and businesses which helps the community address food waste by sharing.
Students at the school aim to inspire change by sharing messages in their "Green Talks" - an initiative that leads presentations and runs activities in the school community.
Twenty two schools are vying for an award in Victoria's largest celebration of school's taking sustainability action in the community.
This year, Sustainability Victoria is marking 15 years of the ResourceSmart Schools Awards with the theme, 'Legendary Legacies – what will you leave behind?'
Sustainability Victoria regions and community action director Katie Pahlow said the theme was a celebration of the outstanding work achieved by hundreds of Victorian schools that have been part of the ResourceSmart Schools program.
"These schools are not only making a difference now but they're leaving a legacy for the next generation through their sustainability endeavours," she said. "The ResourceSmart Schools Awards is an opportunity to recognise the tremendous achievements of the teachers, students, school staff and the wider community who are creating a sustainable future."
ResourceSmart Schools is a free Victorian Government program delivering sustainability education to help Victorian schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and act on climate change.
Participating schools have planted more than 5 million trees, saved over $60 million through energy, waste and water savings and avoided over 74,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
This year's winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 4 at the MCG.