Student Champion/Winner category

Adele Roeder is a Bachelor of Environmental Science student at the University of Melbourne who has dedicated herself to advancing sustainability through grassroots action, university engagement, and youth empowerment. From founding a youth environment group in Moonee Valley to leading the University’s Green Impact and Sustainability Volunteering programs, Adele’s work demonstrates an enduring commitment to practical, community-based solutions. Her initiatives have helped embed sustainability into local government, schools, and tertiary education, all while empowering others to take meaningful action.

Finalist – Adele Roader

Wattle Fellowship Panel and Headshots

Impacts and Benefits

  • Supported over 1,200 Green Impact participants and enabled 3,335 verified sustainability actions at the University of Melbourne since 2023.
  • Diverted 1,300kg of items from landfill through student accommodation donation drives and thrift markets.
  • Engaged 350+ participants in reuse and repair events funded through a City of Melbourne Youth Climate Action Grant.
  • Supported the increase of sustainability visibility at large-scale events, diverting 130kg of organic waste and preventing 10,000+ single-use items from entering landfill.
  • Led National Tree Day 2024 with 75 participants planting 680 native species.
  • Expanded sustainability volunteering to 493 students contributing nearly 2,000 hours.

Leadership and Engagement

  • Founded the Grassroots Youth Group and co-chaired Moonee Valley’s Conservation Collective.
  • Created a “Student’s Guide to Sustainability” as Environment Captain to empower school peers, later becoming the College’s first Environment Steward, a staff role.
  • Grew the University’s Green Impact Teams channel from 634 to 1,321 members and built a Sustainability Volunteer Network of over 500 students.
  • Brokered partnerships across schools, local councils, student organisations and sustainability groups, making climate action inclusive and locally relevant.
  • Initiated cross-institutional student collaborations that helped secure new Youth Climate Action grants.

Wider Societal Impact

  • Reached 900+ community members through grassroots climate action.
  • Engaged 1,000+ students and staff at St Columba’s College via leadership and environmental programs.
  • Influenced Council policy, community festivals, and conservation programs through intergenerational and cross-sector collaboration.
  • Created templates for sustainability initiatives that have been replicated by community groups, the student union, and new student societies.
  • Fostered a culture where sustainability is collaborative, visible, and embedded in everyday university and community life.
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Past Winners

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Student Champion/Winner category

Adele Roeder is a Bachelor of Environmental Science student at the University of Melbourne who has dedicated herself to advancing sustainability through grassroots action, university engagement, and youth empowerment. From founding a youth environment group in Moonee Valley to leading the University’s Green Impact and Sustainability Volunteering programs, Adele’s work demonstrates an enduring commitment to practical, community-based solutions. Her initiatives have helped embed sustainability into local government, schools, and tertiary education, all while empowering others to take meaningful action.

Finalist – Adele Roader

Wattle Fellowship Panel and Headshots

Impacts and Benefits

  • Supported over 1,200 Green Impact participants and enabled 3,335 verified sustainability actions at the University of Melbourne since 2023.
  • Diverted 1,300kg of items from landfill through student accommodation donation drives and thrift markets.
  • Engaged 350+ participants in reuse and repair events funded through a City of Melbourne Youth Climate Action Grant.
  • Supported the increase of sustainability visibility at large-scale events, diverting 130kg of organic waste and preventing 10,000+ single-use items from entering landfill.
  • Led National Tree Day 2024 with 75 participants planting 680 native species.
  • Expanded sustainability volunteering to 493 students contributing nearly 2,000 hours.

Leadership and Engagement

  • Founded the Grassroots Youth Group and co-chaired Moonee Valley’s Conservation Collective.
  • Created a “Student’s Guide to Sustainability” as Environment Captain to empower school peers, later becoming the College’s first Environment Steward, a staff role.
  • Grew the University’s Green Impact Teams channel from 634 to 1,321 members and built a Sustainability Volunteer Network of over 500 students.
  • Brokered partnerships across schools, local councils, student organisations and sustainability groups, making climate action inclusive and locally relevant.
  • Initiated cross-institutional student collaborations that helped secure new Youth Climate Action grants.

Wider Societal Impact

  • Reached 900+ community members through grassroots climate action.
  • Engaged 1,000+ students and staff at St Columba’s College via leadership and environmental programs.
  • Influenced Council policy, community festivals, and conservation programs through intergenerational and cross-sector collaboration.
  • Created templates for sustainability initiatives that have been replicated by community groups, the student union, and new student societies.
  • Fostered a culture where sustainability is collaborative, visible, and embedded in everyday university and community life.

Supported by

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Related finalists

Other finalists