GSSC environmental leaders Hary Ganesan, Year 10; Tania Titus, Year 12; Anan Hummammed, Year 12; Jolie Florence, Year 10; Maddie Ryan, Year 11; and Roxanne Kirbie, Year 11.
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Greater Shepparton Secondary College has been named a finalist in the Emerging School of the Year category for the 2026 ResourceSmart schools awards.
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This category recognises and celebrates schools in their first year of the program that have already demonstrated strong commitment and measurable progress.
The college joined the program in 2025 and has effectively embedded sustainability across campus, from recycling and e-waste reduction to student-led environmental initiatives.
GSSC IT services and support manager Bernie Brennan says the nomination highlights the strength of its student leaders and rapid growth of its sustainability culture.
“They built a new vegetable garden, set up battery and toner recycling, and are part of the GV environmental congress,” he said.
“The achievement that these students have had, it just goes to show the quality of the leaders that the school is producing.”
Environmental leaders Anan Hummammed, Hary Ganesan, Jolie Florence, Maddie Ryan, Roxanne Kirbie and Tania Titus have been the driving force behind this change.
But now they are supported by Year 12 personal development classes, through a requirement of their studies to complete community projects.
These classes have taken on the responsibility of assisting with the Container Deposit Scheme, sorting through the school’s 14 wheelie bins to ensure no food scraps or general waste contaminate the collection.
GSSC environmental leaders Maddie Ryan and Tania Titus in the school veggie patch they set up to encourage sustainable practices at the college.
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Rechelle Zammit
Environmental leaders Maddie Ryan and Tania Titus say ownership is what drives their momentum.
“We made a veggie patch that has a range of things like pumpkins, onions and kale that goes towards cooking classes,” Maddie said.
“In home group we make posters and videos to spread awareness about sustainability and sustainable practices.”
Both students say the ResourceSmart program has broadened their understanding of sustainability.
“It’s not just about recycling. It’s about how we use the resources and reduce waste, giving us ideas to take action,” Tania said.
“It helped us with improvements and goals around the school,” Maddie added.
They also emphasised the teamwork behind the nomination, as teachers stepped in to help secure funding.
“It’s been a collaborative effort,” they said.
This year marks 17 years of the ResourceSmart schools program, which has reached more than 1600 Victorian schools since 2008.
The theme for 2026: Our Sustainability Community, feels fitting for GSSC’s student-led approach.
Being a finalist is a milestone the students are proud of.
“Being in our first year of the program, it’s definitely rewarding and exciting to know our hard work is paying off and we’re actually making change,” Maddie and Tania said.
GSSC is one of three finalists, alongside Fitzroy North Primary School and St Columbia’s College, Essendon.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the MCG on Thursday, June 11.
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