STUDENTS LEAD THE WAY FOR CLEANER RIVERS, CREEKS AND BAYS
30 November 2004
Young environmental leaders from Karingal, Ballam Park, Karingal Heights and Frankston East primary schools embarked on a journey of a different kind last week, as they saw first hand what happens when litter enters our rivers and creeks.
The students in grades four to six saw 10 cubic metres of litter prevented from entering Port Phillip Bay by one of Melbourne Water's 60 litter traps.
The education project was part of the innovative "i Sea i Care" School Ambassador Project (ISIC), which teaches children about the impact of litter on our rivers, creeks and bays.
Jeff Weir, Executive Director of the Dolphin Research Institute, said the project aimed to help people think about Victoria's Living Marine Treasures for the whole year and convince the community that the life around the coast was very precious.
"Stormwater pollution is without question one of the greatest threats to Victoria's precious marine ecosystems and species such as dolphins," Mr Weir said.
"ISIC Ambassadors act as leaders in their school to promote the monthly ISIC themes and in many cases, to achieve measurable changes in attitudes and behaviours - particularly with respect to litter that could end up in drains and ultimately, the marine environment.
"It is gratifying to see our young ISIC leaders standing up at school assemblies and communicating an important environmental message on the impact of stormwater pollution on marine life.
"ISIC highlights the impacts of stormwater pollution on our rivers and creeks and what we can all do to help. It also seeks to instill a sense of pride in our coastal heritage."
The litter trap visit coincided with the announcement by Melbourne Water that was renewing its commitment as the major partner of the ISIC project. This would help the Dolphin Research Institute increase participation in the project from 60 to about 100 schools and up to 100,000 students each month across the greater Melbourne area.
Melbourne Water Acting Managing Director Grant Wilson said Melbourne Water was pleased to be involved in the ISIC school ambassador project.
"Education is the key to long term behavioural change and we believe it is important to contribute to organisations such as the Dolphin Research Institute.
"We also make a significant contribution of about $23 million annually in works to protect and improve our rivers and creeks."
Schools wanting more information can call the Dolphin Research Institute on 1300 130 949.
Participating schools:
- Altona West Primary School
- Lalor Secondary College
- Ardeer Primary School
- Lilydale West Primary School
- Ascot Vale Primary School
- Lysterfield Primary School
- Ballam Park Primary School
- Baxter Primary School
- Manorvale Primary School
- Bayles Regional Primary School
- Mentone Primary School
- Bayside Christian College
- Middle Park Primary School
- Bell Primary School
- Mill Park Primary School
- Billanook College
- Milleara Primary School
- Bittern Primary School
- Mordialloc Primary School
- Brandon Park Primary School
- Mt Eliza Primary School
- Cardinia Primary School
- Mt Martha Primary School
- Chelsea Heights Primary School
- Mt Scopus College
- Christ Church Grammar School
- Pakenham Hills Primary School
- Coburn Primary School
- Peninsula Special Development School
- Cranbourne South Primary School
- Rye Primary School
- Croydon Hills Primary School
- Seaford Primary School
- Derinya Primary School
- Somers Primary School
- Doveton Heights Primary School
- Somerville Primary School
- East Preston Islamic College
- Somerville Rise Primary School
- Emerson School
- St Columba's School
- Fawkner Primary School
- St James Catholic Primary School
- Frankston East Primary School
- St Marks Primary School
- Gembrook Primary School
- St Martin of Tours Primary School
- Greythorn Primary School
- St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary
- Hastings Primary School
- St Philips Primary School
- Hastings Westpark Primary School
- Sunshine East Primary School
- Ilim College
- Templestowe Heights Primary School
- Karingal Primary School
- The Islamic Schools of Victoria Werribee
- Kingsley Park Primary School
- The Knox School
- Kunyung Primary School
- Tyabb Primary School
- Wallarano Primary School
- Wattle Glen Primary School
- Xavier College Burke Hall Campus