Sam Gwynne and Tom Williams' idea to install a tidal turbine in Cape Hawke Harbour as a way to generate renewable energy for the local area was awarded runner-up in the National final of the Entrepreneurial Learning in Action program on Friday, November 27.

It was the first time the college had taken part in the program, making the pair's achievements even more impressive.

Geography teacher, Kaylee Honema'u, who delivered the program to her Year 10 class, said it was wonderful to see Sam and Tom rewarded for their hard work.

"We're so proud of them; we're like proud parents because they've done so unbelievably well," she said.

"I can't speak highly enough about them."

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Tasked with coming up with a business idea and pitch that would address a local environmental problem, Sam and Tom saw an opportunity to utilise the region's waterways to produce a more sustainable form of electricity.

They were mentored by Tuncurry-based renewable energy expert, Grant Fleming, who shared his knowledge and feedback along the way.

"Our big question was how could this be possible and he gave us examples, like the underwater cabling and stuff in Norway, so we were like let's modify these big contraptions that are seen over in America just to become smaller but still produce the same amount of energy," Sam said.

"We did lots of research and we settled on a small tidal turbine; just enough that could supply our local region."

Sam and Tom were selected by representatives from MidCoast Council and Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber to go to the State final, where they placed second and progressed to the National final.

Along the way they continued to refine their ideas and presentation, which helped them improve each time.

"They really developed and came along and added things and that made a big difference," Mrs Honema'u said.

"After their State event some of the feedback was that it was university-level quality, in terms of their presentation."

Reflecting on their success, Sam and Tom said it had been a valuable learning experience and had opened their eyes to the possibilities of entrepreneurship and becoming leaders in change.

They both admitted they had a passion for sustainability and making the world a better place.

Mr Fleming said it was great to be involved in the Entrepreneurial Learning in Action program and commended the school for adopting it.

"With what they're doing now with sustainability and STEM, it will put that generation and the generations to come in good stead to be more resourceful."

He said Sam and Tom's concept was fully feasible and had been employed in other parts of the world, but it wasn't widely used yet because of the expense associated with it.

"It needs to reach a cost threshold to be widely used," he said.

"The generation of Sam and Tom will come up with ways of making it more affordable."

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Great Lakes College careers adviser, Scott Keough, who helped implement the program at the campus, said it hadn't just been a positive experience for Sam and Tom, but for all the students involved and the school as a whole.

He believed the bushfires, drought and flooding the region had experienced in the past 12 months had really inspired the students to rise to the challenge.

"This program started on the back of all that so there were plenty of environmental issues out there, and as soon as you make it about the local area and put ownership onto them and say this is where you live and what would you like to see fixed environmentally - with it being in the news as well so much - it really drove it on," he said.

"It's been lovely to see [and] to showcase some of the awesome students we've got here."

Mr Keough said it had also been great to connect with local industry through the mentorship side of the program and he looked forward to strengthening those relationships in the coming years.

"That's been a real bonus of the program as well, having those industry links and having those connections with the local community and seeing how that all worked," he said.

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