A school environmental project has encouraged young students to connect to their land through a series of workshops and the development of a native garden and four bird nesting boxes.
St Augustine’s College was awarded the Philomena Billington Social Justice Through the Arts scholarship last year to fund workshops that would see Prep to Year 4 students enhance Christian stewardship while learning about the environment and indigenous culture.
The project was recognised at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo on November 10, 2023 for its potential to create art, drive change and shape the community, and was awarded $15,000 to get the project under way.
On Monday, August 19, the school celebrated the conclusion of the project which has seen the development of four bird boxes, a native garden at the front of the school, and metal bin covers made in collaboration with a Yorta Yorta artist.
At the celebration, students Rhys McKiernan and Isabella Sherriff spoke about the experiences that they had throughout the process of the project.
They recounted the ‘Our Common Home’ incursion which occurred in March where students from prep to Year 4 got to hear from Yorta Yorta artist Tammy-Lee Atkinson in a 90-minute workshop about how to take care of the environment.
“We got to touch and feel things like ochre and possum skins that she brought with her. It really helped us to understand more about aboriginal culture and the connection to nature,” Rhys said.
They noted that Ms Atkinson even adapted some student’s creative work, such as drawings of “native robots and native unicorns” - refining them as designs for the bin covers now present in the school’s courtyard.
“It’s wonderful to see our designs reminding us of the importance of leaving no choice and keeping our college clean and beautiful,” Isabella said.
“It feels great knowing your artwork will be a part of something that benefits everyone for a long time.”
The ‘Our Common Home’ project also saw students get to meet two Yorta Yorta elders and Parks Victoria education officers, Auntie Greta Morgan and Auntie Hilda Steward, who taught students about bush tucker, local plants and food.
And, through a separate workshop, older students from the Outdoor Environmental Studies group helped plant a native garden at the front of the school office.
“We learned so much - about being responsible and how small changes can make a big difference,” Rhys said.
“It’s been an unforgettable journey, and we’re excited about the changes we are making.”
Ms Billington, the namesake of the scholarship awarded to St Augustine’s that kickstarted the ‘Our Common Home’ project, was present at the celebration and spoke to the students about the importance of both looking after the environment and each other.
“It’s especially important for you young people … that you look after our common home,” she said.
“Yes, it’s about nature and the trees and the flowers and the shrubs … it’s also important about caring for our common home, caring for each other, having the right relationships, getting along well with each other and being nice to each other.
“Today my heart could not be more full than being back here with you.”
The four nesting boxes are spaced out around the St Augustine’s school ground in various trees, including in the F-6 playground, the memorial garden, near the staff room, and in between the old science room and the Strength in Kindness building.
A plaque commemorating the project is planned to be fixed to the bin covers that the students collaborated on with Ms Atkinson.