Primary school children are being encouraged to demonstrate Aussie values such as a fair go, respect, inclusion and mateship as part of a national schools’ challenge.
The Aussie of the Month program, delivered by the Australia Day Council national network in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, is a student recognition program that rewards the characteristics of personal endeavour, teamwork and contribution to community, and is the younger sibling to the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards.
Between 22 July and 20 September, the program is running the Circular Champions initiative – an innovative way of re-using plastic bottles – with $20,000 worth of classroom stationery prizes up for grabs.
Aussie of the Month Ambassador, 2023 Australia’s Local Hero, Amar Singh, president and founder of the Turbans 4 Australia charity, said the initiative has marked benefits for both young people and the environment.
“Circular Champions is a great way for school children to demonstrate the important values of mateship, inclusion, respect, fair go and community, by showing how they can work together to get creative with plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in landfill,” Singh said.
By getting involved, 20 lucky schools can win their share of RRP $20,000 worth of Pilot Pen classroom stationery prize packs including gel pens, whiteboard markers, ballpoints, refills, erasable highlighters and Sellotape safety dispensers.
“We have been a proud partner of the Aussie of the Month program for 20 years this year and are delighted to support the schools by offering this prize,” Jarrad Murray, head of marketing, Pilot Pen Australia said.
“We’re also really thrilled to encourage children to contribute to the circular economy by saving on plastic waste as part of our ongoing commitment to encourage people to refill their pens when the ink finishes.”
The Aussie of the Month program recognises outstanding contribution to the primary school community and broader society, and rewards students who display values such as respect, inclusion, mateship and a fair go.
All participating schools receive Aussie of the Month certificates, lapel pins and Pilot Pen stationery prizes. The Aussie of the Month program is delivered by the Australia Day Council national network in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.
Mark Fraser, chief executive officer, National Australia Day Council, said the initiative has a positive impact on both young people and the community more broadly.
“We are delighted to be supporting this exciting initiative as part of the popular Aussie of the Month program, which gives recognition to students for their participation and contribution to the community,” Fraser said.
“We extend our appreciation to Pilot Pen Australia for providing these generous prizes.”