The SCRAP Centre was officially opened by The Hon. Bob Debus, Minister for the Environment, on Wednesday 27 March. The day was a great success, with rain holding off to provide an enjoyable day for over 100 local school students and representatives from local council, environment groups and industry.
The day started at 10am with a welcome from the local Aboriginal Gandangara Land Council. Students then broke up into groups and workshops were held which enabled them to get hands on experience of sustainable practices. Students were involved in planting local species around the site to improve the biodiversity; had tours of the Centre to learn about solar power, water conservation and waste management; put nesting boxes up in surrounding trees, were involved in graffiti painting and reuse activities. Students and adults alike were also greatly entertained by a display put on by the Australian Reptile Park.
The Disney Channel filmed on the day and the local newspaper, the Liverpool Champion, also recorded the event.
Mr. Debus made a speech about the importance of such organisations as SCRAP in providing environmental educational programs and the Centre was officially opened by the unveiling of two plaques.
The SCRAP Centre is an example of sustainable living with solar power, rain water collection tanks, composting toilet, grey water system, worm farm and compost, frog pond and native plantings and will be open to schools and community groups for tour and workshop activities.
Left: Students
at the Opening.
Top, left to right: Eeco the Frog, Fred Malone from the Gundangara Aboriginal Land Council and students planting natives species; The Ministerfor the Environment, Mr Bob Debus giving his speech.
Above: students learn about solar power
The SCRAP
Centre