Year 4 Sustainability Champion

Proving that we can become custodians of the environment at any age is Alannah Bullock.

The Year 4 student has received the Highly Commended Award for Sustainability Leadership in the 2022 Climate Choices Schools Awards.

Award winners and highly commended recipients were presented on 8 December at the National Portrait Gallery by 2023 ACT Australian of the Year, Olympia Yarger.

Alannah's Teacher, Mr Jon Craddock, said the award acknowledges Alannah’s work during 2022 to develop a student-led group called the Earth Protection Group (EPG).

“Alannah worked hard to write letters, she had meetings and grew the EPG from one to more than 20 Year 3 students,” said Mr Craddock.

“The EPG took it upon themselves to spend their lunchtimes cleaning the playground, planting trees for World Tree Day, and creating humorous videos that were shared during Celebration and encouraged students to look after our environment.

“Alannah and the EPG also set up a stall during Radford Fete. Together, they were able to raise more than $1,000 for the Australian Conservation Society.”

Schools play an important role in teaching sustainability practices, knowledge and skills throughout the community. The Climate Choices Schools Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates climate action and sustainability champions in ACT schools.

“Alannah hopes to do more with the EPG this year as she seeks further opportunities to create a better and more sustainable environment at Radford,” said Mr Craddock.

Well done, Alannah.