Students not afraid to take environmental action

BASS COAST students united recently at Phillip Island Nature Parks new Penguin Parade Centre for environmental action at the Kids Teaching Kids Bass Coast Conference.

Students from Wonthaggi North Primary, Cowes Primary, Our Lady Star of the Sea – Cowes, Bass Coast Specialist, Newhaven College, San Remo Primary, Phillip Island Village School, Inverloch Primary and Wonthaggi Primary spent the day teaching peers, embracing environmental leadership and sharing learnings from mentors, hosted by environmental charity, Earthwatch Australia. 

The morning kicked off with delegates assembling for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Aunty Sonia Weston-Hume and Daniel Hume of Bunurong Land Council, and official conference opening.

From there, students were broken into four colour groups with Grade 6 students from San Remo Primary hosting Blue Group and empowering their peers to reuse plastic bottles – whether as a money box, bird feeder or plant box.

“The students brainstormed after the webinar,” San Remo Primary School teacher, Ruby explained.

“They wanted to be as creative as possible re-using plastic water bottles.”

Down the hall, Newhaven College kicked off a Flora and Fauna species puzzle whilst Ranger Ewan took Green Group through Little Penguin Research; understanding the importance of our little penguin colony and how to tell the genders apart through their beak length.

Yellow Group headed outside and enjoyed a boardwalk experience with Ranger Scott before the rain started.

“It’s about empowering kids to have a voice,” Earthwatch Australia’s Education Coordinator, Loretta Leary said.

“To feel they can make a difference and show they can make a difference.

“I think it’s important we have an opportunity for community and students to work together including Traditional Owners.

“We can create cohesive solutions to our environmental issues.”

The next generation of leaders also tackled local Bass Coast issues such as beach pollution, waste management and renewable energy alongside environmental mentors Bass Coast Council, Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, The Living Circle 21 and Surf Beach Sunderland Bay Coast Care.