Let there be light!
Last month, high school students at St. Peter's in Broulee fulfilled a pledge to install solar-powered lighting in the school's ANZAC memorial garden.
Ethan Shannon, Hugo Irving, and Sam Harris made the pledge six months earlier during the Biinda Experience, a sustainability and environmental camp for Year 10 students run by Eurobodalla Council.
During the two-day camp, students were tasked with developing an environmental solution of sustainable benefit for their school. After some brainstorming, the boys conceptualised a plan to light up the St Peters ANZAC memorial garden at night using a repurposed solar panel.
Before they could begin work, the trio needed a crash course in solar panels and circuitry. Kirsten and Allana from Council's environment team knew just who to call - electricians Stephen, Jay and Lisa from Repurposing for Resilience, a not-for-profit operation aiming to reuse and recycle second-hand solar panels.
Stephen, Jay and Lisa invited the three budding sparkies to a hands-on workshop at the Repurposing for Resilience centre in Moruya, putting together circuits and learning about the mechanisms and intricacies of solar arrays.
Then, it was time for these friends to put their plan into action.
On an overcast morning in late November, the project team - Ethan, Hugo and Sam, their teacher Mrs. Anita Berton, Allana and Kirsten from Council, and Stephen, Jay and Lisa from Repurposing for Resilience - gathered at the garden to install their repurposed solar panel and lighting system.
After a day of digging trenches, laying wires, positioning the solar panel, and spreading mulch, the team completed their mission by connecting a series of lights to illuminate the memorial garden and signage at night.
Thanks to these industrious students and their generous collaborators, the community at St. Peter's can enjoy a beacon of eco-hope for years to come. And when the suns sets in Broulee, the ANZAC legend now shines brighter than ever.
