St Joseph's Primary in Beechworth is up against two of its namesakes from across Victoria in the Tidy Towns Awards, but whether they are announced winners or not, their project has made a big impact.
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Year 6 student Lucy McAuliffe-Graham, 12, said there was now a five-bin system in place in every classroom.
"We spoke to the staff and we reuse our bin-liners," she said.
Cooper Roscouet, 13, was also recognised for raising $2000 for Syrian refugees with his peers at Beechworth Secondary College.
The two schools were among 19 entrants from Beechworth to this year's awards - one of the largest entry numbers for a small town with there being only 11 categories.
Awards program manager for Keep Victoria Beautiful Gary Mogford visited the North East for a presentation at the town hall.
"The awards is our way of recognising the work done by volunteers and community groups," he said.
"I find, the smaller the community, the bigger the community in what is achieved."
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Indigo mayor Bernard Gaffney said that Beechworth had so many entries was impressive.
"Back in 2010, Beechworth was named the Victorian Tidy Town and we won the national title," he said.
"The categories go far and wide - from the schools to the correctional centre."
As well as being one of five finalists for the overall Tidy Town awards, other finalists included Bread Beer produced by Bridge Road Brewers with the Beechworth Bakery, the town hall organ project, and the various improvements to Lake Sambell by the rotary club.
A collaboration between Beechworth Urban Landcare and the Beechworth Cemetery Trust resulted in the cemetery being fenced for the first time, addressing a rabbit problem that has existed since the 1870s and leading to the reintroduction of three threatened native plant species to the site.
Beechworth are regular finalists and last won in 2017, with the winners for this year to be announced in Dimboola on October 26.
North East finalists in the Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities 2019 Awards are:
- St. Joseph's Primary School: As seen through the eyes of two student leaders
- Violet Town Kindergarten: Sustainable living practices
- Indigo Shire and Beechworth Community: Lake Sambell - "Furthering Positive Usage"
- Beechworth Rotary Pontoon - Lake Sambell
- Southern Aurora Memorial Committee: 50th Commemoration of Southern Aurora Disaster
- Dr Trudi Ryan: Beechworth Festival of Change
- Beechworth Indigo Shire Council, Local Government and Community Groups, Beechworth Battery Storage and Solar Project - Beechworth Library and Memorial Hall
- Indigo Shire and Beechworth Presenters, Beechworth 40th Student Environment Day
- Nanette Collins and James Collins, Beechworth: HM Gaol Beechworth Searchable Database
- Beechworth Cemetery Trust, Beechworth: Our ANZAC Legacy
- Beechworth Organ Society, Beechworth Beechworth Historic Town Hall Organ Project
- Beechworth Burke Museum and Precinct, Beechworth Burke Museum - 'Important Milestones'
- Violet Town and District Gallery Museum Inc, Violet Town Revitalising History
- Total Renewable Beechworth, Beechworth
- Violet Town Community House, Violet Town A Garden called Mary
- Plasticwise Beechworth, Beechworth: Envision Helping Hand
- Beechworth Correctional Centre, Beechworth The Raptors (Animal Rehabilitation Program)
- Beechworth Urban Landcare & Sustainability, Beechworth Beechworth Cemetery - Threatened Species Project
- Quercus Beechworth, Beechworth Beechworth Repair Cafe
- Beechworth Bakery, Beechworth Bread Beer a "Rescue" Success
- Indigo Shire's Rainbow Ball
- Cooper Roscouet, Beechworth Creative Thinking for Social Causes
