EAST Students Present at National Sustainability Conference in Sydney
Student agency and voice are central to all initiatives led by the Ecology and Sustainability Team (EAST) at Mazenod College—empowering students to take meaningful action in response to climate change, pollution and ecological degradation.
Recently, a group of EAST students travelled to Sydney to participate in the Jack the Super Prawn Pollution Solution Conference—an annual student-led event bringing together schools, industry leaders and government representatives to highlight student-designed environmental solutions.
Representing both EAST and the De Mazenod Family Education Network, Zain and Joshua (Year 11) delivered a presentation on EAST’s innovative ‘front to back of house’ methodology used in College waste audits. Their audience included delegates from the Environmental Protection Agency, Australian National University, ANSTO, Treaty Council Worldwide, and students from schools across the country.
In addition to their conference presentation, the students facilitated workshops with primary school groups to develop scalable pollution solutions—contributing to a national pool of ideas that may be adopted by the Australian Federal Government.
The group also engaged in a series of hands-on learning experiences across Sydney. At Taronga Zoo’s Institute of Science and Learning, students explored the impact of marine waste and deforestation, and worked closely with wildlife experts to handle endangered species from Australia’s East Coast. The group received a private tour of Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, where they explored the rooftop community garden and learned about the Chapel’s social justice mission. They also visited the Museum of Contemporary Art to explore Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall’s thought-provoking exhibition, followed by a walking tour of The Rocks led by Mr Nate Fallon.
Students are now preparing reflective reports to inform EAST’s strategic planning, considering how the experience and insights gained in Sydney can be applied to future sustainability initiatives at the College.
