Future environment leader recognised

A Newton Moore Senior High School Year 12 student has been awarded a National environmental science prize for his work in the school’s Science Horizons program.

Cody Melvin won the Future Leaders Environment Award and was one of only two West Australians recognised in this year’s Future Leaders awards.

The annual award goes to a Year 12 student who has inspired others to engage with environmental issues.

Cody, who will sit his WACE exams next month, has taken part in the schools environmental science programs since Year 8, including the school’s perch breeding program.

He put his interest in the environment down to growing up on Christmas Island and intends to carry his interest through to university.

“One of the reasons I went to Newton Moore was for the Science Horizons program,” he said.

“I’ve always had an interest and understanding of the importance of conservation.

“I was happy to be nominated but I never expected to get word back that I had actually won.”

He was awarded a fellowship with Earthwatch that will see him take part in a research expedition to Queensland’s tropical rainforests or studying conservation at Morton Bay.

The school’s head of sciences Lorraine Ellis nominated Cody after teaching him for the past two years.

Mrs Ellis said her student had been a wonderful ambassador for the school.

“He has been a student leader and taken his enthusiasm further by participating and presenting environmental workshops at a school, community and international level, ” she said.

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