Sustainability Victoria marks 20 years

Sustainability Victoria (SV) has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

From building momentum with its black balloons campaign in the early 2000s, to focusing on the circular economy and planning for net zero, the organisation has championed sustainable action in Victoria, and continues to do so through its many initiatives.

“Sustainability was such a new and emerging topic back in 2005, and now it’s much more mainstream. And I think, to be honest, we’ve played a hand in that, in making sustainability something that people can touch and feel and understand,” said Sustainability Victoria CEO Matt Genever.

In November, SV’s ResourceSmart Schools’ team is leading Sustainability in Schools Month, highlighting the power of partnerships in driving environmental change through a series of free online learning sessions taking place throughout the month.

This year’s theme, ‘Stories of Working Together’, focuses on how schools are collaborating with community organisations, local councils, not-for-profits, universities and government agencies to achieve their sustainability goals.

Throughout the month, schools will showcase their projects and partnerships, offering teachers practical insights into how collaboration can amplify impact and embed sustainability into everyday learning.

“Sustainability in Schools Month is a chance to learn from each other and understand the power of building stronger networks,” said Cyrelle Field, Education Manager at Sustainability Victoria. “When schools collaborate with other organisations and work with their communities, they can be supported to increase the reach and impact of their efforts.”

Sustainability Victoria has been working with schools for nearly two decades through its award-winning ResourceSmart Schools program.

Since 2008, the program has supported over 1600 Victorian schools to embed sustainability into their teaching, operations and culture, helping them reduce waste, save energy and water, cut emissions, and strengthen community connections.

The success of ResourceSmart Schools has created interest nationally, with the ACT now licensed to use elements of the program. To sign up for the Sustainability in Schools Month events, visit the website.

Image caption: Matt Genever, CEO Sustainability Victoria; Johan Scheffer, Sustainability Victoria Board Chair; Sheena Watt MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action; and John Thwaites, ClimateWorks Australia. Image: Supplied.