Environment 

Hi MGC students, parents, and community!  

I’m Mara, MGC’s Environment Vice-Captain for 2024. This Tuesday I dressed up as a giant disposable coffee cup for our whole-school assembly as part of the Environment Club’s ‘Waste Task Force’ campaign! Here’s the story: 

We all know how crucial it is to recycle and avoid creating unnecessary waste where possible. But did you know that many paper coffee cups are not recyclable? Sneaky plastic linings are often hidden within, meaning that they will contaminate a whole batch of recycling if disposed of incorrectly! 

The Environment Team got to thinking: how do we remind the school community to dispose of their coffee cups mindfully? If you know anything about us, you’ll know that the answer is often as follows: in style! 

And stylish it was indeed – thanks to the handiwork of our club members, I donned a humongous (Met-Gala-worthy) coffee cup costume with big eyes and gloves! Despite my initial anxiety, seeing everyone’s reactions as I snuck up behind Environment Co-Captains Piper and Chloe was very rewarding. I couldn’t help but laugh as the paper exterior of my costume was torn, revealing the ‘plastic lining’ underneath.  

The question remains: we all love our coffees and hot chocolates, so how can we make a more mindful, sustainable decision while still enjoying the convenience of takeaway? Any paper coffee cups purchased at the MGC canteen are 100% compostable – just chuck them in one of our green solar cones when you’re done. 

I’d like to give a massive shout-out to Bocca Foods for their continued support of the Environment team’s initiatives! Also, shout-out to Mr Vance and the rest of the Environment Club for making this awesome promotion possible! 

We hope to see many of you bring in your reusable coffee cups! Good luck and have a Great term. 😊 

Sign Posting - The Revegetation Project 

As the year 7s planted their first native plant on the Murnong site last Friday, Zara and Kayla from the Enviro team installed our newest interpretive sign featuring artwork by Alex Saveski, research by Sophie Hart (class of 2023) and indigenous words approved by Wurundjeri Eler Uncle Dave Wandin. 

This sign is laser etched by wood tech extraordinaire Ollie Hulls onto a lovely piece of Victorian Ash (Eucalyptus regnans or Wurun in the Woi- wurrung language) and hand oiled by year 9 tech students Alegria, Rose and Yvonne. The sign features the Chocolate Lily, 50 of which were planted by year 7s this year. The name of the plant was known as Gitjawil Matomin Dja Dja Warrung language. It has a beautiful chocolate scent in spring time and will hopefully attract colonies of native bees to the Murnong patch.  

We are always looking for community support to maintain and revegetate the banks of the Birrarung. We meet monthly on the third Saturday of each month to preform basic land care, eat cake and have a cuppa. Last week we invited agricultural scientist Dr Dylan Male to share his research on Native Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra or Ban in Woi-wurrung), after which we ate some of Mr Donnely’s famous Sour dough made with native grains. It was informative and DELICIOUS.  

Please reach out to biodiversity coordinator Ms Stephanie Corkill stephanie.corkill@mgc.vic.edu.au if you would like more information on the Murnong patch and how to get involved. The next working bee will be Saturday August 17th at 9am. We hope to see you there! 

Clothing for Climate 

By Chloe McCormick, Environment Co-Captain 

The fashion industry, while often depicted as spectacular on the runway, behind closed doors there is a dirty secret with the materials and processes often used. The sector contributes to approximately 10% of annual global carbon emissions, but, change is coming, slowly, with the recognition of the need for long-lasting clothing and a switch to life cycle systems thinking. 

With this in mind, MGC was delighted to co-host Clothing for Climate, an event where people could have their clothes repaired for a gold coin donation. With our event partners, the Australian Conservation Foundation, RECYCL, and Yarra Climate Action, we wanted this event to not only rescue a loved item but also spark meaningful conversations about consumerism and fashion. That’s why we were so fortunate to also have guest speaker Belinda from RECYCL, who is an expert in the Fashion industry working with the likes of Myer and Melbourne Fashion Week. She spoke about her work in collecting clothes that otherwise would go to landfill and just how significant a role the fashion industry plays in environmental efforts.  

We believe its initiatives like Clothing for Climate which can spark real change and we are proud to have the support of the community to run events like this. Thank you again to the organisers, volunteers, and Belinda for making it such a great event!