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Green thumbs honoured at Schools’ Garden Awards

Thursday, 01 December 2011

A Northcote special school with an impressive mini orchard, chickens and local community vegetable plots has taken out this year's top honour at the Victorian Schools' Garden Awards.

Education Minister Martin Dixon, together with gardening personality Jane Edmanson, presented Croxton School with the $2,500 Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award in honour of the late gardening guru at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

"Congratulations to the students and teachers at Croxton School, and to all the other schools here today that have worked so hard to create and shape their outdoor spaces," Mr Dixon said.

"It is inspiring to see, over the 34 years this program has been running, schools are still coming up with wonderful ways to transform their grounds into exciting play and learning environments.

"Gardening is an ideal way for students to learn valuable lessons about sustainability, water conservation and, of course, growing their own food and healthy eating. Skills such as teamwork are another benefit they will carry with them for life."

The Victorian Schools' Garden Awards encourage schools to make the best use of their grounds in all their various aspects. This year's 200 entries were judged by a panel which included Jane Edmanson and awards co-founder, Paul Crowe.

"This program has encouraged many thousands of children to develop a greater understanding of the world in which they live," Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon also made special mention of Strathewen Primary School.

"After the devastating Black Saturday bushfires, this rebuilt school has won a State Award for its inspirational garden and grounds rejuvenation. It goes to show the level of commitment the awards inspire," Mr Dixon said.

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