Attention: Government, Educators, Businesses and Households

Take a look at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

This is a fabulous website that is full of great ideas to encourage working smarter with our resources. It gives you ideas on topics like…how to start a recycling program, detox your home, gain funding for Zero Waste initiatives and save money on your hot water bills etc.

We love the competition for schools: 2009 ResourceSmart School Awards and the Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge! Nominations are now open and the Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge measurement day is Wednesday 22 July 2009 sign up before then to take part in the Challenge. Completed entries for the 2009 Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge and nominations for the 2009 ResourceSmart Schools Awards are both due by Monday August 24 2009.

With a prize pool of over $50,000, winning schools will win cash and prizes to assist with their ongoing sustainability projects. Finalist schools also have the chance to present at the Kids Teaching Kids workshop and Awards Ceremony in November 2009. The Awards and Challenge are proudly presented by Sustainability Victoria.

Take a look at their website to find out more: www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

Maybe you will need a skip bin for your project??? If so visit www.bookabin.com.au to get an instant quote now!!

www.cleanup.org.au is an organisation that works with the community, government and business to provide practical solutions to help us all live more sustainably every day of the year. Devised by yachtsman, Ian Kiernan, the organisation has been making a difference to the environment in Australia and around the world.

The mission of the organisation and its program is to inspire and work with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.

Clean Up Australia introduced the Green Teacher Award to celebrate and recognise teachers who have been a positive influence on students by carrying out environmental projects within their school community.

To be successful, teachers should demonstrate environmental excellence through the following:

• Implementing or maintaining a program or activity that contributes to the wide understanding of environmental issues
• Significant achievements and results of the project
• Working with students, teachers, parents or the wider community to develop the project
• Promoting environmental awareness on a daily basis

So Congratulations to these teachers helping to make a difference in their local communities! We are very proud of:

National Winner - Sandra Charlton, Gordonvale State School, QLD
Victoria State Winner - Susan Doull, Creswick North Public School, VIC
South Australia State Winner - Jeany Hoffman, Waikerie Primary School, SA
Western Australia State Winner - Jannina Halicki, Ellenbrook Christian College, WA

Unfortunately, no applications were received from for ACT, TAS, and NT, so maybe next year we can celebrate the successes from teachers in these areas also!