As we look ahead to next week’s Rotary Melbourne Environment Lunch and the presentation of our 2025 Environmental Award, we take a moment to celebrate the inspiring work of last year’s winners - Star of the Sea College.
Led by Sustainability Captains Emily Jarvinen (2024) and Beth Mandile (2023), the students of Star of the Sea delivered an impressive campaign aimed at addressing the environmental impacts of fast fashion. Their standout initiative, the 2023 Clothes Swap, invited Year 9 students to bring in pre-loved clothing and exchange items with their peers - reducing waste while promoting a culture of reuse and mindful consumption.
In the lead-up to the event, an informative display was installed in the school library to educate students on fashion waste and its environmental toll. A particularly creative highlight was a dress designed by a Year 12 textiles student - constructed entirely from food chain receipts - which served as a striking symbol of consumer impact.
The award funding from Rotary Melbourne is being put to excellent use. Future plans include an irrigated vegetable garden and coastal plantings to increase biodiversity near the school library. Incursions on microplastics and the role of bees (including a potential hive linked to science programs) are also in development, reinforcing the school’s aim to embed environmental literacy across the curriculum.
With a long-term goal of becoming self-sufficient in herbs and vegetables, Star of the Sea College is leading by example - demonstrating how young people can drive meaningful change within their communities.
Rotary Melbourne congratulates the 2024 award recipients and eagerly anticipates unveiling the 2025 winners at next week’s Environment Lunch.
