SHOWCASING its sustainability credentials, St Macartan’s Parish Primary School has been named a finalist in the School Volunteer of the Year category of the 2026 c.
David Whillas, a resident of a local retirement village, has contributed more than 120 volunteer hours to Macartan Primary School’s garden since 2025.
David has streamlined the school’s compost system, improving collection processes, reducing food waste and minimising contamination. As a result, the gardens are now the healthiest they have ever been.
The school has eliminated the need for store-bought fertilisers, producing high quality compost onsite for use across the gardens.
David is now working with the retirement village to redirect food waste from the village bistro to the school and aims to develop an ongoing gardening program involving Year 5 and Year 6 students.
First published in the Mornington News – 28 April 2026
