National Water Week runs from 19–25 October 2026 and promotes the value of water across Australia.
To help celebrate, children from kinder to Year 7-8 were encouraged to create an A4 or A3 poster inspired by this year's theme “Water Heroes: Make Every Drop Count”.
Competition winners!
More than 2320 entries were submitted by children and students from early learning up to Year 8 across 11 Local Government Areas within our region.
Greater Western Water employees voted for their favourite posters which they felt demonstrated impressive creativity and a strong understanding of this year's theme.
Watch a carousel of all our GWW 2026 competition winners:
Local competition winners
Early Learning
Name of student and preschool
Prize
1st prize (Individual)
Anika – Bacchus Marsh Grammar Early Learning
$50 gift card
1st prize (Collaborative)
Richmond Creche & Kindergarten
$50 gift card
Runner-up prize (Individual)
Eleanora – Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten
$30 gift card
Runner-up prize (Collaborative)
Amiga Montessori Point Cook
$30 gift card
Prep
Name of student and primary school
Prize
1st
Avyaan – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$100 gift card
2nd
Maya – Manor Lakes P-12 College
$50 gift card
3rd
Laksh – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$30 gift card
Years 1 to 2
Name of student and primary school
Prize
1st
Naunidh – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$100 gift card
2nd
Sehas – Riverwalk Primary School
$50 gift card
3rd
Amaya – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$30 gift card
Years 3 to 4
Name of student and primary school
Prize
Equal 1st
Pahansa – Riverwalk Primary School
$100 gift card
2nd
Anweshi – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$50 gift card
3rd
Addison – New Gisborne Primary School
$30 gift card
Years 5 to 6
Name of student and primary school
Prize
1st
Lauren – Riverwalk Primary School
$100 gift card
2nd
Sianne – Stella Maris Catholic Primary School
$50 gift card
3rd
Haadia – Sirius College Ibrahim Dellal Campus Sunshine
$30 gift card
Years 7 to 8
Name of student and secondary school
Prize
1st
Ayesha – Sirius College Ibrahim Della Campus Sunshine
$100 gift card
2nd
Inaya – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$50 gift card
3rd
Catherine – University High School
$30 gift card
State competition winners
Selected from first place winners from local competitions across all categories.
We did really well, with two second places, two third places and a joint third place at the state level.
Age category and place
Name of centre or school
Prize
Early learning - Joint 3rd (Collaborative)
Richmond Creche & Kindergarten
$25 voucher
Years 1-2 – 3rd
Naunidh – Bacchus Marsh Grammar
$25 voucher
Years 3-4 – 2nd
Pahansa – Riverwalk Primary School
$50 voucher
Years 5-6 – 2nd
Lauren – Riverwalk Primary School
$50 voucher
Years 7-8 – 3rd
Ayesha – Sirius College Ibrahim Della Campus Sunshine
$25 voucher
School prize
Cambridge Primary School in Hoppers Crossing was awarded the school prize and received $500 for a sustainable project at their school. This prize was kindly sponsored by Southern Rural Water.
Watch the Minister for Water Hon. Michaela Settle MP announcing the 2026 statewide winners:
I'd like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land from which I'm speaking to you today, the Wurundjeri people, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
National Water Week is celebrated across Australia each year to remind us of the importance of water and the role it plays in every part of our lives.
From the water we drink and use every day to the rivers and waterways that support our environment, water is our most precious resource.
National Water Week reminds us that we all have a part to play in protecting it. This year's theme, Water Heroes Make Every Drop Count, encourages us to think about the small actions we can all take to make a big difference.
Whether it's turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, or reminding friends and family to save water, every action matters.
Through the Schools Water Efficiency Program, schools are fixing leaks and showing us all how to value water and make every drop count.
It's wonderful to see those lessons reflected in your posters today. Through your artwork, you've shared creative ideas, powerful messages and inspiring visions of how we can all become water heroes.
Your posters show how we can spread this message, take these lessons home and encourage others to take action too.
As we reveal the winners of the 2026 National Water Week Poster Competition, you should all be very proud of what you've achieved.
Congratulations to our winners and to everyone who participated. Every one of you has shown what it means to be a true water hero.
