General News
13 February, 2026
Schools invited to get involved
As the new school year kicks off, Sustainability Victoria is inviting schools in Maryborough to join ResourceSmart Schools, an award-winning free program that supports schools to embed sustainability across school facilities, the curriculum and community, while reducing resource use and saving money.
Since 2008, more than 1600 schools have participated in the ResourceSmart Schools program. Together, they have saved more than $68 million on bills, diverted 170,000 cubic metres of waste from landfill, planted more than five million trees, saved 1.9 million kilolitres of water and more than 110,000 tonnes of CO2e greenhouse gas emissions.
Emily Condon, ResourceSmart schools facilitator for the Loddon Mallee, says schools that join the ResourceSmart Schools program will learn, practice and share ways to integrate sustainability across the school with access to a free online portal, professional development and teaching resources.
“As the local ResourceSmart schools facilitator, I provide personal support to schools and offer sustainability sessions online and face-to-face for the whole school community — teachers, students, maintenance and administration staff, school council, and parents — helping drive positive changes both in the classroom and across school operations,” she said.
“As well as generating savings on utility bills and enhancing biodiversity, the ResourceSmart Schools program provides student leadership opportunities, supports student and community wellbeing, and enables connections with other schools, local organisations and community groups.”
ResourceSmart Schools recognises and rewards schools through sustainability certification. Stars are obtained through completion of modules and meeting benchmarks for resource use and are valid for four years. Schools can progress at their own pace from one star up to five stars and move towards becoming a Leadership School.
Each year, participating schools can enter the ResourceSmart schools awards — the state’s largest celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking remarkable sustainability action.
“The ResourceSmart Schools Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the amazing sustainability initiatives being implemented in Victorian schools and the people behind them,” Ms Condon said.
“I encourage all schools to join the ResourceSmart Schools program, together we can build a future we need.”
For more information visit ResourceSmart Schools or contact the Sustainability Victoria ResourceSmart Schools team here.