Schools aim for green future

Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
25/02/2009
Schools aim for green future

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford has urged Queensland's school students to play their part in making Queensland a greener, healthier place to live.

Mr Welford launched the 2009 Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Green and Healthy Schools Awards program at Parliament House today.

"This Green and Healthy Schools program plays an important role in creating a smarter, greener Queensland," Mr Welford said.

"As part of our Toward Q2 vision we have set an ambitious target to cut Queensland's carbon footprint by one-third through reduced car and electricity use by 2020 - and this initiative will help us to achieve that goal.

"Schools recognised through the Green and Healthy awards program address issues such as environmental sustainability, nutrition, waste minimisation, energy usage, litter reduction and recycling.

"The winner of Queensland's Greenest and Healthiest School title must be motivated, have a strong sense of community a nd best represent all aspects of the Green & Healthy Schools competition."

Mr Welford said last year Crows Nest State School earned the title of Queensland's Greenest and Healthiest School.

"The Crows Nest State School community was rewarded for its wonderful achievements including frog pond and fern house projects, cockatoo friendly gardens, wildlife surveys, recycling, waterwise and Junior Landcare involvement and the 'Run Around Australia' program conducted on the school's oval," he said.

"In 2008, more than 145,000 students and their teachers from 594 schools - one in three Queensland schools - took part in the program.

"As Queensland tackles challenges such as climate change and water shortages it's encouraging to see our young people doing their bit to make a difference.

"This year I encourage all Queensland schools to get involved in the Green and Healthy Schools program."

The Queensland Government has been a proud s ponsor of the Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Green and Healthy Schools Awards program since it was launched in 1999.