Schools Project – Ballandean SS Bell’s Turtle Project
The culmination of our creative and First Nations cultural activities with local artist Barb Benham and Kambuwal elder Auntie Selena and Tanisha drew to a close at Ballandean SS on 18 September, with the opening of our art murals. The critically endangered Bell’s Turtle provided inspiration for all the students and staff. Kambuwal stories of the Dalbunjun (turtle) were generously shared by Auntie Selena and Tanisha.
We were lucky to have Kath MacLachlan join us for the opening of the art installation. Kath is a board member of the NED Foundation, who generously funded this project.
We realised that we had indeed achieved an important goal when the students noticed and saved a tiny baby Eastern Long neck turtle from the oval! Well done kids! Barb’s nature journaling helped the students to notice nature details around them. Stay tuned for Term 4 activities when the SDRC Parks team will help us with planting out grasses, shrubs and trees along the Accommodation Creek bank in early October. Dr Andrew Pengelly will also do a weed busting workshop with the students to help them understand the vital role of our native species to build sustainable habitats for the critically endangered Bell’s Turtle.
