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Byron Shire
October 18, 2026

Northern Rivers kids in Green Innovation Awards

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Goolmangar PS kids are very excited about their nomination. photo supplied.

Students across the Northern Rivers have been coming up with innovative ideas in waste management, water management, building and packaging materials, biofuels/renewable energy and agriculture, for a chance to win a gong at the Green Innovation Awards.

The Green Innovation Awards is a not-for-profit, community based environmental competition for primary and high schools run across the Northern Rivers.

In a year where we’ve all been challenged to adapt and change the way we do things, it has been no different for the team at the Green Innovation Awards – the 2020 awards will be presented in an online live screening.

Finalist Goolmangar Public School students creating their vey own terrarium tiny gardens in glass containers. Photo supplied.

The whole community involved

Founder of the Green Innovation Awards, Dr Bridie Cullinane says the whole community can be involved in 2020. ‘It won’t only be schools, industry leaders and distinguished guests who are invited to watch finalist schools presenting their innovative and inspiring ideas this year.

‘With the help of our major partner Southern Cross University we are bringing the awards live to your lounge room through an evening screening packed with inspiring ideas as well as some surprises.

‘Even though it’s been a challenging year for schools, we have had a record number of schools entering the 2020 Awards. It shows that even in 2020, the environment is still very much on our minds’ said Dr Bridie.

Students connecting with industry leaders

Southern Cross Universities Vice President (Engagement) Ben Roche is pleased to be involved in a program which sees school students connecting with innovative industry leaders in such an empowering and meaningful way.

‘Our partnership with the Green Innovation Awards is all about inspiring and equipping young thinkers, problem solvers and change-makers to bring forward their ideas for our future from protecting and managing our precious ecosystems to devising new ways to live sustainably within a circular economy.’

To give you a taste of the fresh ideas that have been flowing from students, Goolmangar Public School have been creating terrariums and mesocosms which have their own mini-climate and water cycle. Other finalist primary schools include; Dunoon Public School, Empire-Vale Public School, Lismore Heights Public School, St Ambrose Pottsville and last years winners Wyrallah Rd Public School.

And it’s not just the primary schools who are dreaming big and coming up with solutions to real world issues. High Schools McAuley Catholic College Grafton and the Rivers Secondary College-Richmond River High Campus are also in the running for the most innovative high school.

High profile, innovative leaders from across the Northern Rivers and beyond have put their hand up to be a part of the screening and to congratulate the talented students from across the region.

The Green Innovation Awards will be screened live on-line on Thursday December 10 at 6.30pm.

To view the awards, go to the Green innovation Awards website, register to watch and you’ll be emailed a link.



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