THE Mornington Peninsula’s Dolphin Research Institute (DRI) has been awarded a prestigious honour in recognition of its primary school ambassador program at the 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards. The Institute was awarded the Inspiring Community Engagement and Education category during the awards ceremony held on 7 November at the Showtime Events Centre in South Wharf.
Since 2001, the DRI’s I sea, I care program has developed senior primary school students into Victorian coastal and marine ambassadors, who have engaged nearly two million people across Melbourne. By peer teaching junior grades about Victoria’s environment, the program provides a platform to engage and inspire younger students to also become environmental leaders, further developing the next generation of marine champions.
“I was proudest about the program that after 23 years, without any re-branding, it can receive an award in a category with Zoos Victoria and Melbourne Water – and we are only five full-time equivalent staff,” the DRI’s executive director Jeff Weir said. “I was also proud for Ellie Collins our education manager as this is her first year in the role with a chance to make it her own,” he said, as he extended his gratitude to council partners (including Mornington Peninsula Shire) and all ambassadors and past members of their small team.
Nearly 100 schools are involved in the project with 22 schools from the Mornington Peninsula being involved this year. Through workshops, young marine ambassadors are trained to peer teach the rest of their school and communities in all aspects of the marine environment. Ambassadors provided peer teaching for 44,000 students this year.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 November 2024
