GoodWe EcoSmart Kids Awards Shine Spotlight on Reef and Environmental Guardians of the Future

Winners of the GoodWe EcoSmart Kids Awards 2025. Image: Byron Filmer - Newsport

The next generation of environmental leaders was celebrated last week at the GoodWe EcoSmart Kids Awards, held at the awe-inspiring Forever Reef Project in Port Douglas. The event brought together students, families, and teachers from Miallo State School and Port Douglas State School, recognising local kids for their standout creativity and passion for renewable energy and environmental protection following a recent visit by the EcoSmart Kids program.

The awards celebrated primary school students from Years 1 to 5. Winners were split across two grade categories: Years 1–2 and Years 3–5. 

Grade 1-2 Champion: Mahli Goetze from Miallo State School.

Grade 3-5 Champion: Lily Drew from Port Douglas State School.

All finalists received a prize bag full of gifts, including a voucher for a boat trip on the Great Barrier Reef. The Champions also each won an iPad set, plus the prized EcoSmart Kids Champion trophy.

The awards were presented by Dr Dean Miller, Director of the Great Barrier Reef Legacy, Roshan Ramnarain, CEO of Energy Matters, and John Wright, Marketing Manager for GoodWe, during an afternoon that blended fun with purpose in one of Australia’s most environmentally significant locations.

The EcoSmart Kids Program: energy education with real impact

Dr Dean Miller (left) presenting at the EcoSmart Kids Awards. Image: Byron Filmer - Newsport

The GoodWe EcoSmart Kids Program is a national initiative that takes renewable energy education directly into Australian classrooms. Developed in collaboration with educators and environmental experts, the program delivers fun, curriculum-aligned lessons for Years 1 to 6. Topics include solar power, battery storage, the science of energy, and practical sustainability steps students can take at home and at school.

Students involved in the program are challenged to apply their knowledge in creative ways. This year’s competition theme encouraged kids to design a solution or idea that would help protect Australia’s natural resources, be it the reef, the rainforest, or their own backyard.

The result? A wave of innovation, with students submitting models, drawings, videos, and prototypes that reflected both creativity and a clear grasp of real-world challenges.

The Forever Reef Project: an educational treasure chest

The Forever Reef Project. Image: Byron Filmer - Newsport

The Forever Reef Project is a world-first living coral biobank located in the Port Douglas Marina. The facility is operated by GBR Legacy, a non-profit organisation made up of marine scientists, educators, and explorers dedicated to protecting the Great Barrier Reef through research, conservation, and storytelling.

By storing and preserving living coral specimens from across the Reef, the Forever Reef Project acts as a biodiversity vault. It ensures coral strains are protected for future restoration, research, and education. Hosting the awards here sent a strong message about the intersection between education, science, and community action.

A celebration of creativity, innovation, and care for country

2025 Champion Awards and prize packs. Image: Byron Filmer - Newsport

Dr Dean Miller, who has helped spearhead reef conservation efforts for more than two decades, praised the students' work and the power of early education.

“GBR Legacy and the Forever Reef Project was once again proud to be part of the GoodWe Eco-Smart Kids National program that not only teaches primary school kids of all ages about renewable energy, but rewards students for their creative, innovative, and inspirational ideas on what they can do to help protect our natural resources," said Dr Miller.

"The finals awards event that was hosted at the Forever Reef Project facility at Port Douglas marina was such an incredible way to celebrate our region's most innovative kids and show the rest of Australia we are on the front foot in looking after our reef and rainforest. We simply can't thank GoodWe and John Wright, the Eco-Kids Program Leader, for selecting the Douglas Shire for this year’s competition. The education, awareness, and of course prizes were simply world class!"

GoodWe’s values: powering the future, sustainably

(L-R) Shania Bolen - Forever Reef Facility Manager, Roshan Ramanrain - Energy Matters, Lily Drew – Port Douglas State School, Coco Ramnarain - Energy Matters, and John Wright - GoodWe. Image: Byron Filmer - Newsport

GoodWe, a global solar technology manufacturer and clean energy solutions provider, is driven by its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and education. While the company is best known for its solar inverters, battery storage systems, and smart energy management, it also places a strong focus on giving back to the communities it serves.

Through initiatives like the EcoSmart Kids Program, GoodWe aims to create long-lasting change by inspiring the next generation of clean energy champions. The program reflects the company’s values of environmental responsibility, community empowerment, and forward-thinking education.

John Wright from GoodWe added:

“Once again, we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible talent and dedication shown by all the participants in this year’s EcoSmart Kids program. The creativity and awareness these children displayed are a testament to the importance of environmental education. Our collaboration and ongoing relationship with Great Barrier Reef Legacy is extremely important to us and something we are very proud of.  It also allows us to bring a new dimension to the program and provide a real-world example that brings together all the elements delivered in our educational workshops. Congratulations to everyone involved, and we are excited to see where EcoSmart Kids goes next year!”

Looking ahead

With the enthusiastic response from schools and the broader Douglas Shire community, there are hopes the EcoSmart Kids Awards will return to the region in future years. GoodWe and its partners remain committed to expanding the program nationally, with new schools already signing up for the next round of EcoSmart activities.

As the sun set over the Coral Sea, students and families walked away not just with prize packs, but with a renewed sense of purpose and pride in their ability to shape a cleaner, smarter future for Australia.