Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today visited Sacred Heart Primary School in
Colac to see Barwon Water’s school education program in action.
Ms Tierney joined a Year 3 class as they learned about waterway health. Other classes took
part in sessions on the water cycle earlier in the day.
The education program, which has been running since the 1980s, aims to increase
awareness and knowledge of Barwon Water’s role, responsibilities, services and
future direction.
The program delivers key messages on:
- water as a vital resource
- the need for efficiency
- the role of Barwon Water in supplying water, recycled water and
sewerage services - initiatives in the area of re-use
- integrated water management
- sustainability and the environment.
The in-class sessions incorporate storytelling, visual presentations and hands-on
activities. The program also offers excursions to Barwon Water sites, including
reservoirs and treatment plants.
Quotes attributable to Ms Tierney
“Barwon Water’s education program helps students understand the journey of water from catchment to tap and teaches them about water as a vital resource. Instilling these lessons at an early age will help achieve long-term behavioural change toward sustainability and water conservation.”
“The face-to-face communication is highly valuable as it provides an important opportunity for students to access a subject matter expert.”
“The Andrews Labor Government supports programs to involve students in understanding the importance of our natural resources and the need to conserve them and help secure regional water supplies and minimise the impact of climate change.”
Key facts
- Barwon Water offers a free education program to schools in its
service region. - To date in 2015, more than 4,000 students across the Barwon
region have taken part in the program. - The program helps students understand the journey of water from catchment
to tap and teaches them about water as a vital resource.