General News
18 November, 2025
Navy Eels ready to break through
LAKE Bolac College students are preparing to take part in this year’s Energy Breakthrough event in Maryborough, a major project that’s become the focus of the school’s engagement program.
Engagement Program Coordinator Kim Thom said this year’s event has brought the whole school community together.
“For our engagement program this year, we’ve decided to make the Energy Breakthrough our major event for the year,” Ms Thom said.
Her team of 15 Year 7 and 8 students has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and a touch of humour. “So instead of like the Navy Seals, we’re going to be the Navy Eels,” she said.
With the project's focus on sustainability and health, the team has found it also promotes creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
“Everyone has their own little way of contributing to make it happen,” Ms Thom said.
The team has also been supported by a strong community and sponsorship from different businesses, including the Willaura-Lake Bolac Community Bank which provided a substantial donation.
“We were really fortunate that Bendigo Bank got behind us, because there was significant money, $10,000.”
With the big event just around the corner, the students are now putting the finishing touches on their vehicle with a few practices at Haddon alongside schools like Maroona.
“We had a practice run, but the actual event’s coming around really quickly. Rain, hail or shine, we will be out there,” she said.
“It’s one of those challenges that engages all of them because they all have different skills to bring to the table. Everybody feels they can contribute, and I think it really unites them,” Ms Thom said.
For some students, it’s already become a passion project.
“Once they got in that trike, they were hesitant at the start, but once you get in, you get fairly addicted to it,” Ms Thom said.
There’s even talk of sneaking the school's principal into the team lineup for a lap or two.