Panellists Bronte Haines from Euroa Arboretum, Emmaus sustainability leader and learning support officer Dotti Osmond and Allison Trethowan from Euroa Arboretum.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
More than 60 students from across the Goulburn Valley and north-east Victoria gathered to share ideas and develop practical sustainability initiatives at the Youth Environmental Congress on June 19.
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The forum brought together students across Years 8 to 10 from Notre Dame College, Greater Shepparton Secondary College, St Anne’s College, FCJ College Benalla and Galen College Wangaratta.
The day-long event began with icebreaker activities before students heard from a panel of guest speakers and participated in workshops focused on sustainability and environmental action.
Notre Dame sustainability leader Grace Lewin said one of the biggest benefits of the forum was empowering students to turn their ideas into action.
“Students are learning how they can take their own initiative, bring it into the community and make the biggest impact they possibly can,” Grace said.
Fellow sustainability leader Savleen Khattra said the event helped connect students with like-minded peers from other schools.
“Students are in a place with other people their age who have similar interests, so they can come together and actually create an impact,” Savleen said.
The environmental congress encouraged students to identify environmental issues important to them and develop initiatives they could implement in their respective schools.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, endangered species and littering were among some issues discussed.
Notre Dame sustainability leaders: Year 10 student Savleen Khattra and Year 12 student Grace Lewin.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It was highlighted that young people could sometimes feel overwhelmed by negative environmental news but should remember local actions still mattered.
“It can all seem a bit heartless,” Grace said.
“Everywhere you look at the news it’s some new terrible thing that’s happening, but I think it’s important for people to remember that the little things do have an impact.
“Perhaps not on a global level, but within our own community all the effort that everyone puts in really does preserve nature and biodiversity.
“People go out and do tree planting and plant native shrubs, then going back to those areas years later, it really is flourishing. There is a lot more local fauna living there as well. It’s great for students to be able to see their impact.”
Savleen, meanwhile, said sustainability extended beyond large-scale projects.
“Sustainability isn’t just about planting trees and doing all those big things,” she said.
“It can be something as small as picking up rubbish off the floor or bringing your reusable water bottle to school.”
Emmaus sustainability leader and learning support officer Dotti Osmond, who participated as a panellist, said she was most impressed by the student’s engagement throughout the day and hoped all would leave with a greater appreciation for the natural world.
“The questions for us were amazing, I was really excited about them, the fact that they even had any at all,” Ms Osmond said.
“I hope they take away from today to plant a plant and watch it grow while appreciating the small things in biodiversity.”
The message from the students was clear: it’s the little things that help create a space and keep it beautiful.
Year 10 St Anne’s student Kobe Campanelli, Year 8 Notre Dame student Mason Dignall and Year 9 Galen Catholic College Wangaratta student Bridie Willett.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
