Well, it all started ....
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..... when we discovered our shared passion for sustainability. We also shared the same desire for children in our community to grow up with the ethos of caring for and valuing the natural world around them. The school seemed an obvious place to start!
And so in 2008, we joined forces to establish and lead Solway Primary School's first Sustainability Committee. Today, with sustainability policies fully embedded, Student Green Teams driving initiatives and parents actively engaged, Solway has achieved the top accolade in Sustainability Victoria's ResourceSmart Schools, becoming 1 of only 26 schools across Victoria to achieve 5 Star accreditation. In 2012, the school became the Boroondara Sustainable School of the Year. Our passion hasn't ended there however. It's now supported by deep practical, hands-on experience and valuable insight. We believe that all school communities can gain enormous benefits from embedding sustainability and that's why we set up So-Eco for Schools to help them achieve them. |
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Lona Parry |
Clare Nolan |
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Brought up in the UK, Lona was Executive Director of MASS, a Bristol based legal society for 10 years. Looking for a big adventure, she moved with her husband and three children to Melbourne in 2006 and shortly afterwards, accepted the role to lead the Sustainability Committee at Solway Primary School. This exciting role culminated in taking the school to 5 Star status and becoming Boroondara Sustainable School of the Year in 2012. A real "Wow!" moment came recently when accompanying students leading a tour of the school's sustainable initiatives: "The knowledge, passion and enthusiasm that each of the students had for their achievements was simply breathtaking. They had planted the tubestock, painted the bird boxes, written on the Enviro Noticeboard ..... sustainability at their school belonged to them!"
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Growing up in Tasmania, Clare enjoyed her family's five acres where she learnt to fish, ride horses and enjoy the Australian Bush. She studied at the University of Tasmania for a Bachelor of Science. Working for Cadbury Schweppes as a Chemist and Chocolate Taster (really!) took her to England, Russia and finally Melbourne, where she is now settled with her husband and two children. "Playing an active and influential role on the Sustainability Committee at Solway was a very positive experience; working with parents, teachers and students was fun, rewarding and inspiring. A real highlight has been working with the school in achieving 5 Star status and seeing the benefits across the school in terms of school reputation, cost savings and school community engagement. For example, the growth of the student Environment Captain role has been incredible. It is now a school leadership role in demand amongst students, providing exciting opportunities to lead the school's sustainability program."
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