Latrobe Valley students gearing up to take the challenge
April 2010
They’ve been to the Wonthaggi wind farm, they’ve visited the Wonthaggi coal mine, they’ve even been on a high ropes course to build teamwork skills. Berry Street Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning students are now part way through the Youth Eco-Challenge course which Environment Victoria is running, and are getting ready for the challenge bit of the eco-challenge – when they will work to reduce their own environmental impact over several weeks.
“It’s important because it’s not just about us, it’s about all of us, and the future.” That’s what Kate, Andrew and Tamara have to say about the eco-challenge, which has already taught them and their class mates about energy and water issues, and will soon be teaching them about waste. As part of the challenge they will be aiming to reduce their shower lengths, switch off appliances at the wall, and to not leave the tap running when brushing their teeth, among other things. They also hope to influence those around them – housemates who take really long showers are first on the list. Showers is a big one – when VCAL students did the Youth Eco-Challenge in Central Victoria, they managed to save a whopping 75 litres of water and 9 kilograms of greenhouse gas, each, every day, and that was mostly through shorter showers.
While the Berry Street students are completing the challenge at home, in class Environment Victoria will be teaching them project management, event organising, leadership and communication skills. They will then put these skills into practice by running their own sustainability project.
And their message to the rest of us? “Appreciate what you have now. Just because you have money and can afford to pay for expensive bills, it is still important to make some changes at home and save energy and water for everyone else.”
The Berry Street Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is run by Berry Street (a community organisation working with young people at risk), in conjunction with Traralgon Secondary College. The Youth Eco-Challenge is one of a host of projects Environment Victoria is running in the Latrobe Valley in 2010, through our Regional Sustainable Living program. We’re teaching older people how to go green through our Eco-Wise Action project, and we’re training Home and Community Care workers in how to do sustainability audits of their clients’ homes. We’re also running free Sustainability on a Shoestring workshops – contact Kate Senko to find out when the next one’s on and to book a spot (email her or call 5136 3504).
