Student’s pic nominated for sustainability prize

TWO students from the Geelong municipality have been included among only nine finalists in this year’s edition of Sustainability Victoria’s “Sustainability Through Your Own Lens” photography competition.

Amara Gauld’s entry, titled “Shine the light”, shows the sun shining through cloud from the perspective of a creature nestled in the leaves of a plant.

The Year 6 student at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School highlights through the image that Earth is important for everyone, not just for humans, and we have a responsibility to look after the planet for others.

Woodline Primary School Year 6 student Gus Schauble’s entry, titled “Mushrooms”, gives an intimate look at mushrooms growing from a log.

Gus said his inspiration when taking the photograph was the role that small things such as mushrooms and sunflowers play in the larger ecosystem.

As ResourceSmart schools, Woodline PS in Ceres and Our Lady Star of the Sea PS in Ocean Grove both pursue environmental projects and initiatives to improve sustainability and biodiversity on campus.

“Sustainability Through Your Own Lens” allows students to tell stories through photography about sustainability and environment, and its connection to their school and broader community.

Nine students from six schools are vying for the win in the competition, facilitated by the ResourceSmart Schools Program.

This is one of several awards up for grabs at the 2024 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

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 director of regions and community action Katie Pahlow said the “Sustainability Through Your Own Lens” photography competition offered an insight into students’ perspective on the environment.

“This competition celebrates the creative expression of students exploring the role that sustainability plays in both the built and natural environment.

“It’s fascinating to see sustainability ‘through the lens’ of students and understand what it means to them.”

This year’s award winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the MCG on Tuesday, June 4.

Since 2008, ResourceSmart Schools has reached more 1,600 Victorian schools.

Participating schools have planted more than 5 million trees, saved more than $60 million through energy, waste and water savings and avoided more than 74,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.