L to R:
Lisa Corbyn (Director General of DEC),
Ann Pukallus (Manager, Education and
Community Programs - Origin Energy)
and Kim Hall (Manager - Education
Image Pty Ltd)
Steve Lunam © Australian Museum
The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation recently sponsored the Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Sustainability Education.
The prize honours Allen Strom's untiring devotion over 40 years to conservation and education and is awarded to the most innovative, leading edge sustainability education program developed and/or delivered within the past three years.
Who won?
The prize was awarded to Origin Energy for their Home Energy Project, a project that brings best practice sustainability education to more than 160 schools and is empowering nearly 50,000 school students and their families to save energy, money and the environment.
"This is an important project that serves as a perfect example of the way that corporate Australia can engage with the wider community," says Brian Sherman, President of the Australian Museum Trust.
According to Origin, every household can easily save 15 per cent of its yearly energy bill and reduce greenhouse gases by making simple changes.
In looking for ways to contribute to reducing Australia's use of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, Origin worked closely with teachers and focused on changing individual behaviours by providing professional development and support through daily school curriculum.
Year 9 Students from
Mitcham Girls High School,
South Australia
The results speak for themselves:
- 50,000 student/household participants since it was initiated in 2001
- nearly 2,000 kits requested by teachers
- 1,200 students have received participation awards for having promoted the project ideas to the wider community
- and over 50,000 tonnes of CO2 saved.
Origin is planning to extend the project to other states.
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