Cornish College

PRESS RELEASE:

CORNISH COLLEGE MAKES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD HISTORY – 26/11/2025

Cornish College on Bunurong Country in Melbourne has made history, becoming the first organisation in Australia to receive the Five Leaf Award, the highest honour in the Five Leaf Eco-Awards program. The College, an independent school associated with the Uniting Church for 3-year-olds – Year 12, received the award in a formal presentation ceremony on Wednesday 26 November. This sets a new national benchmark for faith-based environmental action by schools, demonstrating what can be achieved by a community committed to making a difference.

“Becoming the first organisation to earn the Five Leaf Award speaks to Cornish’s years of deliberate, thoughtful and persistent work,” said Cornish College’s Chaplain, Rev Claire Dawe, who applied for the awards on behalf of the College. “The awards have provided a framework for focused action and encouraged us to go deeper into some challenging issues, like waste and litter, rather than take a scattergun approach and try to do too much in one go. It’s been challenging, but the students have enjoyed being stretched and encouraged to pursue and achieve real change. Sustainability is part of our DNA as a school.”

Principal Nicola Forrest emphasised the collective effort behind the achievement. “These awards reflect the hard work and passion of our College community. Our Climate Action Leaders, students from all year levels, passionate staff and families have all contributed, as we worked towards achieving the award criteria. Earning this Five Leaf Award affirms everything we have achieved and encourages us to do more.”

The Five Leaf Award is intentionally designed to be challenging and achieving it requires a long-term commitment to sustainability. Cornish College’s achievement shows what is possible, and what is increasingly expected of organisations seeking to lead with integrity in the face of the climate crisis.

“This is a genuinely exciting moment,” the award organisers added. “Cornish College has carved a path others can follow, proving that the high bar we set in designing the awards are achievable, and setting a new standard for schools, churches and religious organisations everywhere.”

Previous Awards:

On the 15th of February 2023, Cornish College were recognised with three Five Leaf Eco-Awards (in the School Communities Category) for their impressive environmental efforts.

Their Basic Certificate award particularly recognises their sustainability centre, solar power, energy audit, nude food and bin education (good job Year Twos!) and biodiversity masterplan, including your work with water quality and eels (go Year Five!), and with birds, microbats and frog watch.

They also received the Eco-Worship award to recognise their amazing work in the area of environment-themed worship, including your Season of Creation and Reconciliation Week Chapel Trails, Ash Wednesday and outside chapels.

And finally, the Eco Outreach Award recognises Cornish College for communicating sustainability through the Difference Magazine, packaging frozen meals for families in need in recycled containers, their Rings of Sustainability work, volunteering with the Friends of Edithvale wetlands, 100 Acre volunteer group and participation in Earth Hour and Tree Week. And more!

Read about the College’s sustainability efforts here: https://www.cornishcollege.vic.edu.au/our-difference/sustainability/