On strength to weight ratio, Winton State School Year 10 science students have proved they are more than a match for the rest of Queensland. They were pipped at the post by the much larger Wondai State School, and were the only school to get a 'Highly Commended' award.

As part of the recent National Science Week, students across the State were challenged to research local natural resource management and freshwater issues in their local community through the Our Water, our future: A challenge to youth project.

The eight Year 10 students designed, researched, recorded, published and presented a project titled, The Impacts That Winton’s Waterholes Face Every Day. The group monitored 3 waterholes near Winton to see if they were healthy and to identify any natural or human caused environmental issues. Their aim was to inform the community of their findings and present possible solutions to any problems.

Teacher, Gemma Cameron was justifiably proud of her small band of dedicated students. They did a fantastic job at the presentations,” she said. They spoke clearly and were very professional. Over the whole project they worked extremely hard.”

The presentations were held at the Queensland Natural Resources Sciences precinct at Indooroopilly and the students got to mix with scientists and discuss the methods they used to monitor the waterholes around Winton.

The monitoring project included water analysis, mapping and vegetation surveys. The results showed that the overall water quality was good although the pH in one hole was on the high side; litter was a issue and there was a general lack of riparian vegetation.

Some of the recommendations the students took to the Winton Shire Council were: provision of toilets and rubbish bins, limited camping and access tracks, signage, strategic fencing and revegetation.

Assistance for the project came from many quarters and Gemma Cameron said she was blown away by it. It was great,” she said. I’d particularly like to thank Vanessa Bailey (Scientist – Environmental Protection Agency), Ben Kele (Scientist – University of Central Queensland), Peter Klem (Rural Lands Officer – Winton Shire Council), Shane Miller (Groundsman – Winton State School), Ross Wilson (Environmental Superintendent – Cannington Mine) and Shaaron Stevenson and rest of the Georgina Diamantina Catchment Committee for their help and support.

“The kids got a lot out of this project.”

As student, Kristy Walker said, “I used to think that a waterhole just had water in it but this opened my eyes to what is actually there.”