6 September
2006 - Environmentally aware students from Mirboo
North Primary School in Victoria and Huonville
Primary School in Tasmania will spend National
Threatened Species Day celebrating their win in
the national category of the 2006 Hands on for
Habitat Awards.
The announcement of this year’s
winning schools was made by Australian Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, at a special ceremony at Parliament
House today.
Hands on for Habitat is a national
community education and awareness programme jointly
supported by the Australian Government and Cadbury.
Primary school students learn about Australia’s
threatened plants and animals and the habitat
that supports them and then create artworks about
threatened species to compete in the awards.
“It is extremely encouraging
to know the important message of habitat protection
and the vital role habitat plays in providing
food, water and shelter for our threatened species
is reaching a new generation of environmental
champions,” Senator Campbell said.
“This year more than 4,800 students
submitted 200 class entries to the Hands on for
Habitat Awards and I would like to congratulate
all the schools for their effort and creativity.”
Senator Campbell said Australia
was home to some of the most unique and threatened
plants and animals in the world.
“The survival of these species
requires everyone to play a role and the education
and participation of our young people is an important
part of the conservation process,” he said.
“More than 380 animals and 1300
plants are listed as nationally threatened in
Australia and I was impressed to see the understanding
and enthusiasm students demonstrated for these
unique species.
“Congratulations to Mirboo North
Primary and Huonville Primary School for their
excellent habitat projects.”
Year Prep/1/2 from Mirboo North
Primary won the National Lower Primary category
with a spectacular display illustrating the Long-footed
Potoroo and the Greater Bilby. Year 3/4 from Huonville
Primary School took out the National Upper Primary
category with a colourful study of the endangered
Orange-bellied Parrot.
Each of the national winners
will receive $4,000 for an environmental makeover
and a digital camera package while state winners
receive a $200 gift voucher for native plants.
All winners receive a framed National Threatened
Species Day poster featuring their artwork as
well as Cadbury premium prize packs.
A full list of 2006 winners
is attached. For more information and to request
free National Threatened Species Day posters and
stickers featuring the winning entries, visit
www.deh.gov.au/habitat or contact the Department
of the Environment and Heritage Community Information
Unit via email ciu@deh.gov.au or freecall 1800
803 772.
Rob Broadfield (Senator Campbell's Office)
