On Thursday October 22, SGCS President Dave Sutton spent a day with about 50 students from Wonthaggi Secondary School and the Inverloch Primary School. The day was sponsored by Greening Australia, Bug Blitz, the RACV and our Society.

The students were split into four separate groups made up of a mix of secondary and primary school kids. Each group rotated into four different activities aimed at providing an example of biodiversity and culture and how we all depend on the diversity of all life forms for our own survival. Each group activities were:-

Planting 200 plants around the creek at the back of the wetland - Part of this exercise involved all of us - (children included) taking on the role of an animal, plant, bug, reptile, fish frog etc. Peter from Greening Australia brought along a huge bag full of the most amazing cuddly and not so cuddly toys which had the entire above list included.

The kids then had to identify which species lived on what for its survival linking each species with a length of wool - the resulting web was highlighted by the common link going back to vegetation as the basis for all life.

Drew and Annie from Greening Australia explained the importance of having a healthy ecosystem and how indigenous plant life has uniquely adapted to support a wide diversity of plants and animals that are interdependent on each other.

John from Bug Blitz had the kids finding and identifying insects, bugs and anything else that moved or swam from the surrounding vegetation and creek.

Our own Education Officer Rosemary Swart demonstrated water quality issues and the vital role that good quality water has in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

We were privileged to have Stephen Compton and Darren representing the local Bunurong Tribe who spoke about local aboriginal culture and some of the local bush foods that can be found in Ayr Creek and the wetland, and Darren was keen to show his skills with a yabby pot in the wetland - but actually didn't catch any. Both Stephen and Darren have an amazing in depth knowledge of country, what it can provide and its fragility.

All the children had a very enjoyable day learning many things about their environment and hopefully took away a message that will assist in assuring a better future for the environment.

Thanks to:
Peter Preuss - Greening Australia's Schools for the Environment Coordinator who organized the day.
Stephen and Darren - Bunurong Tribe elders/representatives
Drew Lieper - Greening Australia
Annie - Greening Australia
John - Bug Blitz Foundation
Rosemary Swart - South Gippsland Conservation Society - Education Officer
Staff from RACV Resort Inverloch who attended on the day
The teachers and students from Wonthaggi Secondary and Inverloch Primary schools
RACV Resort Inverloch who helped sponsor the day.