MALLEE students have been given the green thumbs-up for environmental awareness, with one lucky school awarded 1200 worms in a poster competition.
The Mallee Catchment Management Authority and South Eastern Landcare Consortium gave artistic students the chance to win a worm farm and other prizes for their school by answering the question ‘How does a worm farm work?’
Entries flooded in from prep to Year 6, including paintings, drawings and collages.
The two winners from Nyah District Primary School received a $180 worm farm with automatic watering system, while runners-up from Manangatang P-12 College and Tooleybuc Central School earned $80 compost bins.
Regional Landcare co-ordinator Kevin Chaplin presented the awards at each school on Friday and said all entries were “exceptional”.
“The students had a very good understanding of the concept.
“The kids were all really receptive and enthusiastic and I think the [prizes] will be used pretty well.”
Nyah District Primary School student Jake Foley, 11, said the worm farm would complement the school’s vegetable garden nicely.
“We get the juice from the worms and we can use it on the plants,” he said.
Mr Chaplin said the schools’ wider environmental initiatives were pleasing, and often led to a more ‘green’ community.
“There’s a pretty good sustainability and environmental awareness in schools, they’re aware of waste, food scraps, littering and recycling, and that’s where landcare has an opportunity to expand that and develop a community approach,” he said.
Landcare is looking to support and develop further Junior Landcare projects in future.
