
Sponsored by Sanyo, the Green Teacher Award seeks to reward environmentally conscious teachers across Australia with a trip to Japan!
National and VIC State Winner: Wayne Holloway, Ashby Primary School
NSW State Winner: Carly-Jane Boreland, Keira High School
QLD State Winner: Andrew Denzin, Tagai College
WA State Winner: Mark Sachio Merritt, Marmion Primary School
ACT State Winner: Jennifer MacDonald, Hawker Primary School
SA State Winner: Lee Grigg, Portside Christian School
TAS State Winner: Mario Michael Bergamin, Youngtown Primary School
NT State Winner: Jacqueline Doherty, Durack School

The ‘Ashby re-use a shoe' project aims to educate students about the challenges that landfill poses to our environment, the importance of reduce/reuse/recycle and the small ways individuals can make a difference. Wayne introduced the project to the whole school and their families in 2009. 100 shoes were collected; all parts of the shoes are used to create sporting surfaces in conjunction with the Nike Re-use a Shoe project.
The project encouraged students to think beyond the typical recycling programs and think about how other common items can be recycled.
Carly coordinates all environmental initiatives within the school. She leads weekly meetings empowering teenagers to generate their own environmentally sustainable projects. Projects include; reducing water, electricity and paper wastage, regeneration of bushland, organic compost and vegetable gardening as well as planting 400 native plants and improving recycling and rainwater facilities.
Carly has secured numerous grants to ensure environmental initiatives are funded and has helped students win the Enviro Inspiro film competition.

Andrew coordinated a marine debris program throughout the Torres Strait; focusing on the removal of rubbish from the environment. The program has created environmental awareness and engaged students in cross-curricular learning. Schools from right across the Torres Strait participated in the program, which also included an in class educational program.
After a fire consumed much of essential habitat near their school Mark saw an educational opportunity for his school. The project assisted with the conservation and restoration of Star Swamp bushland. Students were involved in establishing a plant nursery to house seedlings grown from seed stock specifically for the reserve.
The project has given a sense of ownership to students and volunteers of the community. Mark successfully obtained a grant for the project.

Jennifer created the Power Ranger program to provide leadership opportunities, instil school pride and empower students to make a difference for a sustainable future. She is instrumental in promoting and implementing the environmental education program; she engages children, teachers and the wider community in active learning, citizenship and leadership.
Lee introduced a school community wide collection on [then] 5c drink containers with the aim to raise enough money in one year to buy a goat via TEAR Australia. The students were involved in all areas of the project; this enhanced their understanding of why containers should be saved from landfill and gave education around the collection and recycling process. The project has since expanded and is firmly embedded in the school culture; the school is a Wipe out Waste support school hosting workshops for other sites with Lee presenting at workshops and conferences.

The students have gained an increased understanding around environmental sustainability and the opportunity to make a difference.
Jacqueline has encouraged the school community to tackle environmental issues through the ‘Energy Trackers' initiative. The project aims to reduce energy consumption and the amount of litter being dumped within the school. As a library teacher Jacqueline has immersed students in the programme, inspiring them to take responsibility for their environment.
The national winner, in addition to the above prizes, will receive a Promethean 387 Pro Widescreen interactive whiteboard and PLC-WXL46 projector with GLWLXL45 bracket for their school.

One winner was chosen from each state and territory.