Last week, Waverley College hosted its highly anticipated Ecology Symposium, bringing students, educators, environmental advocates, and community leaders together in a shared mission to drive environmental action.
Featuring high-profile speakers like environmentalist Costa Georgiadis and Member of Parliament Allegra Spender, the event empowered students to make their voices heard on sustainability issues that affect their future.
The issue facing our planet’s future custodians is loud and clear: according to a report by Deloitte Access Economics (2021), natural disasters cost the Australian economy $38 billion per year on average. Even under a low emissions scenario, this cost is estimated to increase to $73 billion per year by 2060.
The symposium provided students with a rare platform to learn, share, and actively engage in these ever-pressing ecological issues. Through engaging presentations, hands-on workshops, and insightful discussions, students were encouraged to understand the challenges facing the environment and to see themselves as key players in the movement for change.
‘Events like this symposium give our students an incredible opportunity to share their insights, make connections, and gain the confidence they need to make a real impact in the world,’ said Waverley College’s ecology coordinator Silvia Baylie.
The highlight of the day was a guest appearance from Costa Georgiadis, a renowned environmentalist and youth advocate, who urged students to tell stories as a way to inspire others into action.
By sharing the narrative of our planet's struggles and the urgency for change, Georgiadis argued young people can amplify their impact and rally more support for sustainable living. ‘Use your voice,’ he said, ‘because the world needs more storytellers who care about our planet’s future.’
Local MP Allegra Spender echoed this sentiment in her address to the students, noting that youth voices are crucial to sparking policy change. ‘You are our future leaders and changemakers,’ she told them. ‘Politicians need you to back us up—your voice can tip the scales.’
Students were given practical tools for advocacy through a series of workshops designed to encourage hands-on activism. In one powerful session, students wrote emails to corporations and government officials advocating for stronger environmental protection policies, refining their persuasive writing skills and their understanding of civic engagement. The symposium also included a literary workshop, where students examined environmental justice themes through a creative lens, exploring how literature can help bring ecological concerns to the forefront of public consciousness.
One student, Filippo Pierce, who has attended several environmental symposiums, said: ‘This year’s symposium has been one of the most inspiring and eye-opening, thanks to the incredible lineup of speakers.’ Another student said: ‘The Ecology Symposium at Waverley College was an incredible way to meet like-minded students, collaborate, and fight for our world.’
The event began with a Smoking Ceremony and Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Dean Kelly. Uncle Dean Kelly’s insightful presentation covered the relationship between First Nations people, the land, and the sea. His talk focused on what communities can do to better protect our environment, drawing on the wisdom of Indigenous practices.
As one student commented: ‘It was so interesting to hear about the environment from the perspective of First Nations people. I learned so much about how I can contribute to a healthier planet, and I feel empowered to make a difference.’
The symposium concluded with a call to action: students were encouraged to turn their insights into tangible actions within their communities. Their commitment is a signal to schools around Australia to do their bit in preparing the next generation for the increasingly urgent task of protecting our planet.
References
Deloitte Access Economics. (2021). Special report: Update to the economic costs of natural disasters in Australia. Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience & Safer Communities 2021. Deloitte Access Economics. https://www.deloitte.com/au/en/services/economics/perspectives/building-australias-natural-disaster-resilience.html
