Aussie High School Wins Global ‘Green’ Award

An Australian public high school in Melbourne has won a global sustainability award – being named as the most sustainable education institution at the International Green Awards in London.

Bentleigh Secondary College in Melbourne’s South East took out the top award, having been nominated earlier this year.

Head of Sustainable Practices at Bentleigh Secondary College Bill Thomas accepted the award at the London ceremony.

“Sustainability is a cornerstone of our educational practices at Bentleigh Secondary College and of our wider community and we are thrilled to have our work recognised at an international level through these International Green Awards – and to be in such good company," he said.

"Working for sustainable futures is an investment, through young people, in the future of our planet.”

Sustainability Industry spokesperson in Australia, MOSS CEO Anne-Maree Huxley, said that it was not long ago that Australia was considered in some circles to be 10 years behind in Sustainability Innovation and Governance.

“Having five Australian organisations as finalists and Bentleigh Secondary College as a global winner, I think it's fair to say we've caught up and in some sectors are clearly leading the way," Huxley said.

Other 2012 winners included:

• Interface (UK) – Most Sustainable Large Corporate
• Yealands Estate Wines (NZ) – Most Sustainable Medium Business
• AJDR (Rwanda) – Most Sustainable Small Business
• Songpa-Gu Council (Republic of Korea) – Most Sustainable Government
• Sahabat Alam (Indonesia) – Most Sustainable NGO
• YouGen (UK) – WWF's Game Changer

The International Green Awards describes itself as the global platform for sustainability, leadership and innovation. Since 2006, the annual scheme has recognised and rewarded global sustainability exemplars.