6/12/02
Water conservation reached an important milestone in the Goldfields today when Government Enterprises Minister Nick Griffiths presented a Certificate of Recognition to Western Australia's 100th WaterWise school.
Mr Griffiths announced that O'Connor Primary School, named after the visionary engineer whose pipeline secured a reliable water supply for the Goldfields, had received the award.
The Minister said at least 50 other schools around the State were working toward WaterWise status and would be proud of their achievements.
"The enthusiasm with which all schools have embraced the Water Corporation's WaterWise Schools Program is testament to its value," he said.
"It meshes easily with school operations, the education curriculum and offers teachers excellent support resources. The program involves students at all year levels and in all subjects.
"Schools involved in the program become role models in their respective communities for WaterWise principles."
Mr Griffiths said the program had an important message for communities throughout the State and students were showing the way to help save our most precious resource.
"The current drought affecting the nation has a strong grip on vast areas of Australia," he said.
"However, it has helped to drive home the water conservation ethos.
"We must learn to use water wisely to protect supply sources and the environment for ourselves and future generations."
Mr Griffiths said the O'Connor Primary School had become WaterWise through an innovative program of learning activities, concentrating on water conservation.
The school recognised that water had extra special value and was more precious than the gold which led to the settlement of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Water saving devices had been introduced to the school and WaterWise practices were built into all school procedures.
The school had also participated in the relay of a symbolic bottle of water from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie, where it is to feature in a ceremony on January 24, 2003 at Mt Charlotte reservoir to mark the 100th anniversary of the Goldfields pipeline.
The bottle was passed on by 44 schools involving some 12,000 students who signed WaterWise pledges on special tea towels carrying the message: 'We don't want Australia to dry up'.
Today's presentation assembly marked the end of the bottle's journey. It was handed over to O'Connor head students Kellie Herl and Kane Rudrum, by the head students from St Joseph's School, Boulder, Jessica Howe and Tyson Cowan.
The O'Connor students in turn presented the bottle to Mr Griffiths.
O'Connor Primary School student Melanie Hayward also spoke at the assembly, saying it was a great honour for O'Connor Primary School to be recognised as the 100th WaterWise school.
"Next year the school will continue to participate in the WaterWise Schools Program and we will work hard to spread the Waterwise message in the community," Melanie said.
For further information on the WaterWise Schools Program contact Roy Hallam, Education Co-ordinator at the Water Corporation on (08) 9420 2681.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
