Media Release 3 November 2004

Support from Origin empowers students to save Energy, Waste and Water

Students throughout South Australia have embraced a leading Australian interactive environmental education program called ‘Ollie Saves the Planet’.

Developed for 5-13 year olds, this educational IT product promotes the benefits of ecological and social sustainability, and highlights the importance of reducing our impact on the environment. Using a cast of cartoon mates, headed by Ollie, the group cycle and skateboard their way through the themes of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink to help save the planet.

Origin Energy’s Public Relations Manager Yvette Reade said “Ollie is a fun-filled, challenging and interactive learning tool which encourages students to rethink their energy and water consumption. In today’s hi-tech communications-oriented world, this entertaining and enjoyable program fits well into the student’s environmental curriculum to promote global education, encourages biodiversity and promotes sustainability.

“As part of its extensive Corporate Communities program – which focuses on the environment, education and community involvement – Origin supplies a free copy of the ‘Ollie Saves the Planet’ CD-Rom to each teacher attending training sessions on program. To date, Origin has supplied almost 1500 CD-roms to Australian schools – equating to over 5000 students using the program in South Australia and Victoria alone,” Ms Reade said.

Free program training is provided by educators, Global Education SA, to assist teachers to navigate their way through the many curriculum options in the program. Advice is also given on choosing the content to suit their school’s individual programs.

Wilderness School’s Year 6 teacher, Jayne Kelly, said 'Ollie Saves the Planet’ is a magnificent learning tool that helps children really understand the implications of taking care of our environment.

“It provides practical ideas and helps students to appreciate their connection with the world around them. The program encourages them to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink their actions concerning water, waste, energy and air. The animation is appealing and the technology is modern.

“The program will be a focus of our environmental studies and will enhance the curriculum. The students have been really enthusiastic - they love it," said Jayne.

A major supplier of gas and electricity in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Origin Energy cares about encouraging the responsible use of natural resources and is committed to supporting programs such as ‘Ollie Saves the Planet’ and the Global Education Project.

The Global Education Project is contracted by the Australian Government’s overseas aid agency (AUSAID) to provide professional development in global education to teachers and trainee teachers. The project’s goal is to provide a coordinated approach for teachers in government and non-government schools to develop the knowledge and skills needed to integrate global education into the curriculum.

Global Education’s Mark Wildy has received an overwhelming response from teachers attending his sessions. “Teachers are truly interested in global issues and are thrilled to have a resource that covers all their curriculum needs in this area – especially one that really motivates their students.”

The Ollie CD program, produced in Australia by Sustain Ability International, underscores Sustain Ability’s belief in the outstanding IT talent found locally. ‘Ollie Saves the Planet’ was designed by Sustain Ability director, Jane Stewart, with help from a panel of leading environmental educators. Worldwide Interactive Group’s Tim Austin, a multimedia specialist and leading ‘on-line’ educator, is responsible for the graphics and animation.

For more information about the Global Education Project and its professional development sessions sponsored by Origin Energy contact the following people:

Origin Energy – Chandran Vigneswaren Ph 03 9652 5711
Global Education SA – Mark Wildy Ph 08 8221 6744
‘Ollie Saves the Planet’ Program – Jane Stewart Ph 03 9817 7722

About Origin Energy : With a history dating back 140 years, Origin Energy is a leading Australian energy provider and participant in most segments of the energy supply chain including natural gas and oil exploration and production; power generation; energy retailing and trading; and asset management services. Origin Energy supplies energy to more than 2 million homes and businesses. Origin’s extensive Corporate Communities program focuses on environment, education, hardship, employee involvement, policy development and customer engagement. Origin delivers education programs on the safe and efficient use of energy in primary and secondary schools including ‘Ollie Saves the Planet’ and the ‘Origin Energy Home Energy Project’. www.originenergy.com.au

The Global Education Project is contracted by the Australian Government’s overseas aid agency (AUSAID) to provide professional development in global education to teachers and trainee teachers. The project’s goal is to provide a coordinate approach for teachers in government and non-government schools to develop the knowledge and skills needed to integrate global education into the curriculum.

Wilderness School is a day and boarding school dedicated to understanding and meeting the differing needs of girls and young women in each phase of their development from childhood through adolescence to young adulthood.

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