Boardriders' school initiative celebrates 10 years

THE Boardriders Foundation Sustainability Challenge has celebrated its 10th year on the Surf Coast.

The foundation associated with the Torquay-founded global surf brand has been running the initiative alongside Kids Teaching Kids and Earthwatch at local schools.

The overarching goal is participation and to create awareness within schools and the broader community about an environmental issue.

Every year students from Prep to Year 10 participate in the challenge, with each school choosing an environmental theme for the children to work on as part of their curriculum.

Pupils at St Therese’s mandala making workshop, where they reflected on what they thought symbolised the environment.

Students then design a solution-focused action plan that helps raise awareness of their chosen environmental issue. Students lead discussions about matters that impact their world, not only setting a foundation for critical thinking; but also empowering our youth to realise that they can drive change.

Submissions are reviewed by a judging panel comprising an array of environmental educators and representatives from community organisations.

The panel consider the most innovative idea, the best call to action, practicalities, and whether the process encourages positive change or raises community awareness.

“I really enjoyed reviewing the applications. I feel our community is in good hands with our youth displaying such strong environmental leadership credentials,” 2022 judging panel member and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority education manager Jude Hassall said.

Torquay College’s entry, led by teacher and long-time Sustainability Challenge supporter Emma Dukker, was judged the winner this year and received the sought-after Boardriders Foundation Perpetual Trophy.

Their presentation “Lounging Lizards” explored to the importance of blue tongue lizards to the local environment and how the community, can help to protect the species.

“Hundreds of children from the community have been involved in this challenge over the years and have felt empowered to explore and develop solutions for environmental issues they have discovered,” Ms Dukker said.

St Therese pupils with Dr Scott Wilson from AUSMAP, carrying out a quadrat assessment of microplastics at the Spring Creek estuary mouth.

Some of the projects that received honourable mentions were:

Lisieux Catholic Primary School (led by Ron Donald) focused on sand dune erosion

St Therese Catholic Primary School (led by Gerard McCarthy) researched the complex challenge of urban development

Bellbrae Primary School (led by Lachlan Hurrell) looked at food waste in our community, and

Geelong Lutheran College reviewed waste streams and single-use plastics.

Sustainability Challenge entries can have a life beyond the challenge itself, with 2021 winners Aireys Inlet Primary School winning at the Lantern & Light International Children’s Film Festival with their entry “Plastic Riptide”.

Their short film will now be screened around the world, showing that for the next generation the sky is the limit.