Port Douglas State School and Wonga Beach State School are each recipients of the NRMA Insurance Community Grant Program which supports local projects working in the areas of crime prevention, road safety, emergency readiness and response, and the environment.

PDSS Parents and Citizens Association was award $5,000 for The Bike Ed Plus Bike Bus project.  The initial phase of the project has already commenced with the AusCycle Ride On course being completed by five adults including a PDSS teacher, Port Douglas Police Station Master and three parents.

The aim of the project is educating children and the local community members to share the road safely. 

“We will invite the children to bring their bicycles to school for a safety check, teach them to check their ABC (Air, Brakes and Chain)  and how to fit their helmet correctly. We will have the support of Gavin from Port Douglas Bike Hire when these checks are made. We will also offer an engraving service as an anti theft precaution,” advised the sub committee.

The initiative is facilitated by PDSS P&C Association together with staff, StateST Committee, AusCycle, Police and community members. 

“We would like to increase the number of people walking, scooting and riding safely to school and back home. Along with this achievement, a bike bus will begin first term of next year where children can hop on and join the bus and travel to school. At this stage we are looking at one day a week. We will have more information on this at a later date,” advised the Sub Committee.

The Sub Committee continue their advocating for signage and a pedestrian crossing for students to access on their way to and from school at the corner of Port Douglas Road and have submitted a request for lean rails to be installed.

Wonga Beach State School has been awarded $3,000 for an environment project. The Lily Pad Lagoon Rehabilitation project will build up higher areas within wetlands to increase access on foot and allow for tree planting within swamp area.

“We hope to engage the community of Wonga Beach in activities that impact the quality of water flowing out to the Great Barrier Reef. Working from a grass roots level, we look to engage, increase knowledge and change perceptions amongst our students, teachers, families and the wider community,” said Jacoba Henning from Wonga Beach.

Teacher and project facilitator Hendrik Weimar said the grant makes a big difference taking the project from a small scale revegetation to large scale due to the wetlands having to be dug out and reformed.  “We also require an aluminium barge to continue with the weed eradication.  If anyone is able to supply one we would appreciate,” said Weimar.  

“We’re also tied in with the Global Citizenship for Sustainability (GCS) Marine Project 1600.  We have a buddy school in Mithapur India,” said Weimar.

The GCS Marine Project 1600 focus on coastal biodiversity conversation between schools in Queensland and Gujarat India.

We congratulate both schools on their efforts in securing funding for much needed projects in their communities.