Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning

Say Cheese for Trees Competition
2026-02-27 17:00 - 2026-06-26 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | VIC
Create an advertisement for trees.  “Why do we need more trees?”
The Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL) and Blackburn & District Tree Preservation Society are excited to announce our ‘Say cheese for Trees’ competition.
If the Earth did not have trees, it is possible that humans would not exist. eg. carbon dioxide levels would be higher, oxygen would be lower, desertification would increase significantly over time. Our goal is to get more people to understand, appreciate, and share their knowledge of the importance of trees in our life, neighbourhood and planet.
We invite EASL secondary school students to submit a short ‘Gruen Pitch’ style advertisement for trees.
“Why do we need more trees?” Get creative and submit your videos (no longer than 1 min) using this application form by June 26th, ready for the winners to be announced on National School Tree Planting Day!
About us: The Blackburn and District Tree Preservation Society is a group of volunteers established to promote and improve the natural environment of the City of Whitehorse. Focusing in particular on the important roles that trees have in creating this unique neighbourhood. They have been in existence since 1959.
The Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL) is made up of seven member Councils from Melbourne’s east (Boroondara, Knox, Monash, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges). It was established in 2011. EASL provides professional development, learning and networking opportunities for early years, primary and secondary schools throughout the year.
About the competition
Secondary students are invited to work in groups of 1-4 students to create a short ‘Gruen Pitch’ style advertisement for trees. EASL Schools can submit a maximum 3 entries per school. Finalists will be screened at the 2026 Learning for Sustainability Conference
How to apply:
Upload your 1minute video to YouTube, you will change the ‘Visibility’ settings to unlisted.
This will then allow you to get a shareable link, that can be copied into the table below and then emailed to info@easl.com.au for the judging panel to review while keeping your video private from the public.
Complete this form and share it via email: info@easl.com.au

School

Name:
Address:

School location
(EASL Council area)
​​☐​Boroondara ​☐​ Knox ​☐​ Monash ​☐​ Manningham
​​☐​ Maroondah ​☐​ Whitehorse ​☐​Yarra Ranges

Supervising Teacher
(Primary contact)
Name:
Email:
Phone:

Is your school in the ResourceSmart Schools program?
​​☐​ Yes ​☐​ No Register here if not or contact us: info@easl.com.au

How many students in group?

Share your Video link here

Prizes:
1st place: Schools will receive a trophy plus $150 plant voucher from local Indigenous plant nursery. Students from the winning group will receive a solar charging unit (for iPhone or equivalent), a tripod (for camera or phone) and phone stand made from recycled plastic.
2nd place: Schools will receive a framed certificate plus $100 plant voucher from local Indigenous plant nursery. Students will receive a tripod (for camera or phone) and phone stand made from recycled plastic.
3rd place: Schools will receive a framed certificate plus $50 plant voucher from local Indigenous plant nursery. Students will receive a phone stand made from recycled plastic.
Every entry will be acknowledged and eligible for tube stock subject to availability.
All finalists will be showcased on the EASL website and at the Learning for Sustainability Conference 2027.
Applications close: Friday 26th June 2026 11.59pm
For more information, key dates, terms and conditions, and video submission tips check out: Say Cheese for Trees Ts&Cs Google Doc

The Change Room: Building your team
2026-04-23 16:15 - 17:30 | St Columba’s College, 2 Leslie Rd, Essendon, VIC, Australia
Ever wish you had half a day a week to work on ResourceSmart Schools? 🌱
Here’s the secret…
If you build a team around you, you’ll have way more than half a day.
And you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve together.
So… how do you build a team in a busy school?
✨ Join Geoff Paine and Mel Hatty for an entertaining, practical, and fun-filled hour where you’ll:

Learn evidence-based strategies to build a supportive sustainability team
Discover how to bring school leaders and colleagues on board
Explore ways to implement sustainability as a team (not on your own!)

Plus: food, laughs, great conversations, and plenty of networking with like-minded educators.
Who’s it for?
Teachers and school staff from Victorian schools who want to make sustainability achievable, shared, and genuinely enjoyable.
Learn more and book here: The Change Room: Building your team. | Environment Education Victoria
*Tickets free until 31st March
