G'bah Preschool gets water wise

Goonellabah Preschool waters their garden with tank water.

Jack, a five-year-old student at Goonellabah Preschool, knows the best way to save water.

“Don’t use too much,” he said.

“Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth,” Rhani added.

Tahlia-Rose wanted people to remember to “turn off the tap properly so it doesn’t drip” and Liam suggested people “listen for drips”.

These water-conscious students know what they’re talking about, as Goonellabah Preschool has attained five-star Water Awareness status after completing an education program and upgrading to dual flush toilets and low-flow taps, and installing water tanks for toilets, laundry, water play and garden use. The water-saving improvements were made with assistance from the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund and Rous Water.

Goonellabah Preschool director Janette Essary said they would save about half of the water they had been using.

“It also helps us to empower the children to save water. As teachers of the very young we have an important role to help involve them in building their knowledge and skills about the real value of water and where it comes from,” Janette said. “We helped our future generation to take action and become a catalyst for change by upgrading our facilities to water efficient models and demonstrating a commitment to water saving through our daily program and practices.”

East Lismore Preschool, Lismore Preschool Kindergarten, Jarjum Aboriginal Centre, St Vincent’s Friends Childcare Centre and Southern Cross University Children’s Centre are also participating in the Rous Water water awareness program.