What is the Outdoor Education Centre?

The Central Highlands Water Outdoor Education Centre has recently been recognised by the National Banksia Foundation, as one of the six best environmental education programs within Australia.

The Outdoor Education Centre is the jewel in the crown of Central Highlands Water community and school education programs and overlooks the beautiful Water Wise Garden at Kirks Reservoir Park, Ballarat, Victoria.

The Outdoor Education Centre has been developed to complement the School's Curriculum Standards Framework and is as an excellent focal point for our various educational tours and promotional activities.

This Centre gives the community a wonderful insight into how a water authority (like Central Highlands Water) delivers water to their city and then takes it away for treatment after use.

There are six informative, enjoyable and interactive stations covering water related topics:-

• "The Great Water Story" 2 metre high by 10 metre long colourful Mural which highlights Central Highland Water's massive "Hidden Water World" of pipes, pumps, tanks, valves, meters, water and wastewater treatment plants, reservoirs, tunnels, towers and more!
  
  

• "History, to today and always" Station, which re-traces the development of Ballarat's water supply from its beginning in the Goldfields era.
  
  

• "Catchment Management Station" presents to the community the importance of correct catchment management, farm practices, forestry and soil management techniques, which in turn will assist in a good quality water supply.
  
  

• "Waterwatch Water Quality Station", which highlights the importance of Waterwatch, a community water quality-monitoring program. Included in this area are a macro-invertebrates wall chart and an information station.
  
  

• "Compost Station" highlights many water retention techniques, which can be applied in your own water wise garden in order to use water most effectively. This area includes a worm farm, a compost tumbler and wooden compost bins.
  
  

• "School and Community Garden Plots". This area has been set aside for students to get their hands dirty whilst learning about the growth of plants under various water and soil conditions. The students at this station shall monitor health and development of plants and their dependence on good environmental conditions.

Schools and community groups who visit and become involved in the Centre's activities will leave having gained more knowledge about the vital importance of water in our everyday lives and environment.

This is an active and positive step for Central Highlands Water, making them a leader in community education among other Water Authorities.

Please contact Central Highlands Water, Education Officer Mr. Peter Blackburn during business hours via e-mail pblackbu@chw.net.au or telephone on 5320 3157 for further information.