ST MARY'S CATHOLIC COLLEGE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AWARD

Ms JODIE HARRISON(Charlestown)My congratulations to St Mary's Catholic College, Gateshead, which took out top honours at the 2020 Lake Macquarie School Environment Awards. St Mary's was recognised for the school community's efforts in energy saving, waste reduction and improving the natural environment. Science teacher Katrina Piper said that students at St Mary's are "very aware of the environmental crisis that our planet faces," and that "participating in the Environmental Awards encourages them to be involved and make a difference from the ground up." I couldn't agree more. St Mary's has had a long-running Landcare group, who have gone above and beyond to rehabilitate the school's local environment. To all the teachers and students who have contributed to the Landcare group and its work over the years, I offer a heartfelt thanksthis kind of community-minded engagement is characteristic of my Electorate, and part of what makes me so proud to be the Member for Charlestown. Congratulations once again to Ms Piper, principal Larry Keating, the students and school community at St Mary's.

A Community Recognition Statement is an opportunity for an MP to give a short speech praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Statement, please email and let me know!