Community & Business
24 March, 2026
School Captains meet to discuss waste
School leaders from across the Toowoomba Region met in Highfields Cultural Centre recently for a re-formatted Mayoral Secondary School Leaders Event.
Following feedback from school principals, including Oakey State High School’s Danny Keenan, this year’s Mayoral Morning Tea event was changed into a problem solving event involving all student leaders.
School Leaders were split up into tables of 7 students and given semi-hypothetical waste management problems to solve.
Cr Melissa Taylor told the students waste management is an ongoing challenge.
“What we do with waste affects the health of our community, the environment and (Council’s) bottom line.”
She said the feedback from the students would be sent to the State Government and considered as part of their waste strategy.
School leaders, including Pittsworth State High School’s Freya Santsingh, suggested having dedicated recycling bins for students on school grounds to help promote sustainability.
Two regional school leaders also raised the problem of waste burning on rural properties, where it was more convenient to simply burn rubbish at home rather than take it to a Waste Management Centre.
In keeping with previous years, there was still time for some leadership advice.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Mayor Geoff McDonald said.
“I encourage you all to lead with influence rather than authority.”
