Winners of the 2020 ResourceSmart Schools Awards were announced today, on World Environment Day, to celebrate – virtually – Victorian schools contributing to a better Victoria, and to a better world.
Schools across the state were recognised for their leadership in sustainability and the active role they play as champions for the environment in their wider communities. With 65 entries submitted across 11 categories, this year's judges had difficult decisions to make.
Mount Waverley Primary School took out the top award, winning ResourceSmart School of the Year. The school won for its commitment to sustainability education in and out of the classroom, leadership and engagement in the community, and biodiversity initiatives to foster environmentally-aware citizens.
The online awards ceremony was hosted by radio personality Sammy J, while Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio, announced the school of the year and congratulated all participants on their achievements.
Keeping in theme with using resources wisely, finalists will be awarded sustainable trophies made with recycled post-consumer materials by plastics manufacturer, Replas.
This year's Awards program brought together schools, communities, businesses and government under the theme 'People and the Planet', recognising the contribution of our humanity – our knowledge, care and passion – in protecting our environment, and how our environment in turn contributes to our wellbeing.
We thank the sponsors of the 2020 awards for their invaluable support. Bank First and the Victorian School Building Authority sponsored the Teacher of the Year and Community Leadership School of the Year categories respectively, while Officeworks, Custom Vertical Gardens and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning partnered with us as event sponsors.
Congratulations to all the students, teachers, parents, volunteers, school staff and principals for the role they play in helping their communities to embed sustainability in all they do, and congratulations again to the winners and finalists.
