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National Water Week

Every third week of October, the Australian Water Association organises National Water Week and makes a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to build awareness around the value of water. Access to clean water is hugely important to our daily lives, and it’s down to all of us to protect our water environments and resources, and use water wisely.

As the national coordinator for the week, the Australian Water Association encourages water industry organisations, schools and communities to create, take part in and promote National Water Week events, activities and educational resources. If you have any queries about National Water Week or you would like us to share your events or resources on this page, please feel free to contact us.

The #NWW2021 theme for 2021 is Caring for Water and Country and celebrates the vital and cultural role that water plays in our lives. Recognising the importance our waterways play in our lives, Caring for Water and Country aims to deepen our understanding of Australian First Nations people’s knowledge of protecting and sustaining our water and lands for over 65,000 years.

AWA is proud to partner with Spirit Creative to bring this year’s National Water Week theme to life. We particularly want to thank Spirit Creative’s artist Dennis Golding for producing the artwork “Our Waters”. The artwork is inspired from Dennis’ strong connection to Country, from the freshwater and saltwater regions of northern and north-west NSW. We will be providing the official National Water Week artwork for you to use in the coming weeks.

 

We’ll be holding a range of exciting events in the lead up to and throughout National Water Week 18-24 October.

	Inspire Online Learning Series: National Reconciliation When: 16 September 2021 Join us for the sixth and final webinar in the Inspire Online Learning Series.		VIC Merri Creek Women's Walk When: 18-22 October 2021 This initiative sets out to make a positive change by celebrating the Merri Creek community and its connection to the land and water.
	Get involved		Get involved

To celebrate National Water Week the Australian Water Association is calling for primary students to enter the annual poster competition under the theme of ‘Caring for Water and Country”, proudly supported by Nylex.

Access to clean water is hugely important to our daily lives, and it is down to all of us to protect our water environments and resources. Students are encouraged to create a poster reflecting what caring for water and country looks like to them. 

  • Any medium, from paper to digital, can be used, as long as the poster size is A4 or A3. 
  • Any art material and digital technology can be used, including paint, textas, coloured pencils, collage materials, original photographs & digital graphics.
  • Group artwork will not be accepted (only one student per artwork).
  • An official entry form must be securely attached to the back of each poster (no paper clips) or via PDF/ good quality photo image for online entries.

Be in the running to win a Nylex prize pack to the value of $150 for each winning student and a prize pack to the value of $350 for your school in one of these five categories: 

  • First year of primary school
  • Year 1-2
  • Year 3-4
  • Year 5-6
  • Special Needs

Get the kids involved in National Water Week with our poster competition! 

Be sure to get your entry in before midnight AEDT, Thursday 11 November 2021. 

For more information and to submit your poster, see the Terms & Conditions and entry form here.









Story behind the artwork
The artwork titled “Our Waters” was produced with Spirt Creative by artist Dennis Golding whose connection to Country stems from the freshwater and saltwater regions of northern and north-west NSW. 

The patterns flow through different water streams and continue the paths around the circular motifs that often reference meeting places and waterholes. The waters operate as a protector of these grounds to acknowledge First people’s connection to land and waters as they too care for Country now, and who have done so since time immemorial. 

Check out “Our Water’s” artwork to use for #NWW2021, you may click on the images below to download various formats of the artwork: 

Zoom Background	Poster
Social Post	Logo
Email Signature

Note: The National Water Week logo and artwork are available for public use to help you celebrate #NWW2021. By using the logo or artwork you must attribute the Australian Water Association. The logo and artwork must be used in its entirety and cannot be used for commercial purposes.  

 

Here we’ve got an extensive list of educational resources that explore all the different aspects of water including the water cycle, the sustainability goals, Indigenous water knowledge, how to save water, caring for our catchments, and general water education. If you have a resource that you’d like to add to this list, get in touch with us.

Indigenous water
Talking water -Kwatja Ngkama' is the Western Arrernte translation for "Talking Water'. Check out AWA/WSAA's video series.
Where's our Water? – Hunter Water has collaborated with Indigenous communities to develop a story booka for primary students
River Kids – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to explore the challenges facing the Murray River
Indigenous Weather Knowledge – The Bureau of Meteorology looks at the history of Indigenous weather, environmental knowledge and cultural stories
National Cultural Flows Research Project – Looks at Indigenous connections to water and Aboriginal water values
The Great NT Water Story – Power & Water Corporation's student storybook and teacher guide

Sustainable Development Goals
World's Largest Lesson – Introduce the Sustainable Development Goals to children and young people everywhere

Water cycle
Perth's Water Supply – Water Corporation's interactive online tool showing where Perth's water comes from
Interactive Water Cycle – Unitywater's Education Program has resources for teachers and students
When Water Lost Her Way – Audio book presentation of the Australian book When Water Lost Her Way
Natural Water Cycle Colouring Sheet – Learn about the natural water cycle with South East Water's colouring sheets
Urban Water Cycle Water Warriors – Find out how Melbourne Water's Water Warriors make a positive impact on the urban water cycle

Flushing water
Don't Flush Your Underwear – Bundaberg Regional Council's video shows why you shouldn't flush your undies down the loo
Poo Crew – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out what happens when you flush the loo

Bottled water
Bottled Vs Tap Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out why people pay for bottled water when our tap water is safe and free
Banning Bottled Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out why a small NSW town has banned the sale of bottled water

Using water wisely
Smart water advice – Smart Approved Watermark has some great advice on being smart with water in and around the home
Weird Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to teach kids to stop wasting water
Love Water Quiz – Hunter Water's quiz will tell you if you're a Wasteful Wade or an Aware Alice!
Saving Energy & Water Around the Home – EWOV shares tips on saving energy and water around the home
Blue House – Smart Approved WaterMark's Blue House teaches you how easy it is to save water

Water-savvy gardens – Looking for some water-savvy garden inspiration? Urban Utilities shares tips on how to achieve great results in your garden without compromising plants and water use.
How low can you go? – Urban Utilities along with Henry the H20 hero has some great tips on saving water at home, as well as some pretty cool dance moves. Take the How low can you go Challenge today.

Caring for our catchments
Catchment challenge – Take Cairns Regional Council's catchment challenge and learn what makes a healthy waterway
Water Education Videos – WaterNSW has a range of videos about building dams, and managing water supply and quality
Reducing Pathogens from Entering Estuaries – Watch this 4-part series from NRM North on catchment works in Northern Tasmania aimed at reducing pathogens

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM)
STEAM water activities – Cairns Regional Council has worksheets and activities to encourage critical thinking while learning about water
Resources for Parents & Teachers – Andrea Beaty has books, posters and free downloadables to inspire kids to love STEM

General water education
H2O Kids online – Seqwater's online school education program has lots of interactive lessons to learn all about water
The Well of Water Information – SA Water's learning program teaches kids about the importance of water
Educational Resources – Melbourne Water has lots of resources on wetlands, saving water, and the water cycle
Teaching Resources – All the teaching resources you need to help students learn about our most precious resource
Water Resources for Everyone – South East Water has resources for kids, teachers, parents and the community
Water Education Resources – Water Corporation's education site has resources for teachers, games for kids, and information for schools

Educational Resources – Urban Utilities has a wide variety of educational resources such as activity sheets, videos, games and more!
‘Water… WOW!’ – Learn about water and waterways with Georges Riverkeeper’s Stage 3 Education Modules
Healthy Waterways Education Series – Videos and fact sheets about Tamar estuary from science and history experts with industry and government representatives

Water activities for under 5s
Water Wonders – Cairns Regional Council's under 5 activities include a water-themed snakes and ladders (fills and spills) and water bingo




Media Release - Caring for water and Country this National Water Week




We have a range of partnering opportunities for National Water Week 2021. Find out how you can get involved. For more info contact our Membership & Sponsorship Manager, Elana Huthnance on ehuthnance@awa.asn.au.


  

2020 – Let's reimagine our water future
2019 – It's Time to Change the World
2018 – Water for me, Water for all
2017 – Water - the heart of our culture
2016 – Water, life, growth
2015 – Water innovation for future generations
2014 – There are more sources than you think
2013 – Liveable communities
2012 – Valuing our water
2011 – Healthy Catchments, Healthy Communities
2010 – Many sources, many uses, everyone’s responsibilities
2009 – Securing our Water Future
2008 – Clean Water Essential for Life