General News
4 June, 2026
Keeping an eye to the future
TERANG College students hit the road last week to learn more about environmental sustainability and the relationship between people, industry and environment.
Around 30 students visited Peterborough to attend the Otway Energy Forum and Community Morning Tea last week.
The event provided an opportunity to learn directly from industry experts thanks to Neil Porter Legacy (NPL), a local not-for-profit which aims to enhance education through an emphasis on careers – forming direct connections between industry and students.
NPL was established in memory of legendary south west teacher Neil Porter, who was instrumental in setting up VCAL in the region.
NPL executive officer and founder Matt Porter said the event was an opportunity to connect students’ learning to the real-world, helping to make learning relevant and give them experiences to help make informed career-based decisions.
“Amplitude Energy informed us of the event and asked if students would be interested in learning about the work of several energy companies who operate in our region,” he said.
“We invited Terang College’s Student Representative Council (SRC) to attend as one of their focuses is the environment.
“NPL attended an SRC meeting two weeks before the forum and spoke about each of the companies attending the forum, the work they do and environmental initiatives they run.
“The students then worked with their teachers to write questions they’d like to ask reps from each company.”
Mr Porter said the energy companies changed the format of the event to maximise student engagement and learning, and to give them maximum access to staff from every company.
“On the day, the students were warmly welcomed and were able to speak with reps from APA Group, CO2CRC, Lochard Energy and Amplitude Energy,” he said.
“Each company had a stall with enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.
“They also had hands-on items, such as the type of rock that gas can be found/stored in, allowing the students to contextualise what the reps were saying.
“Students particularly enjoyed eating Tim Tams while discovering the biscuits’ permeability is similar to that of the porous rock.
“After the forum, the students completed a tour of Amplitude Energy and CO2CRC.”
Mr Porter said NPL was proud to facilitate the 30 students from Terang College, with students from Prep right through to Year 12 attending.
“Terang College is running a ‘Humans and Habitat: Environmental Forum’ in September and this event was an important lead-up event,” he said.
“At the September forum, students will explore environmental sustainability and the relationship between people, industry and the environment.
“One of the highlights was a conversation between a younger student and Ollie Glade-Wright, the environment and sustainability manager at Amplitude Energy.
“After asking whether any of the gas wells were “as old as dinosaurs”, students learned it dates back to the Cretaceous period, around 90 million years ago, making it older than a T-Rex.”
Mr Porter thanked Amplitude Energy for covering all costs, ensuring there was no barrier for all students to attend.
“What I really appreciated about the forum was all of the company’s openness and willingness to answer any question the students asked,” he said.
“Every company went above and beyond to ensure it was a learning opportunity for the students.
“NPL believes it’s important students know about the businesses operating in their community and also the career opportunities they offer. The students were fantastic.
“They asked great questions, took notes and were obviously very interested in learning about each of the energy companies.
“We are very appreciative of all the effort each energy company went to and also the significant work the teachers completed to ensure the students could attend and make the most of the opportunity.”
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