Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School was one of 109 schools and youth organisations to receive a Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grant.
Funded by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land Water & Planning, the grants are being run by Landcare Australia as part of its Junior Landcare program.
Using their grant of $4600, students across all year levels will be working together to rejuvenate their indigenous garden and amphitheatre area. This project will increase habitat areas for wildlife within the school grounds by planting indigenous trees and shrubs and adding nesting boxes, rocks and logs to the passive play area at the front of the school.
Students, staff and parents will contribute to the final design, site preparation, planting, creating indigenous art work and maintenance of the area.
“It is wonderful that our school has been given the opportunity to earnestly revisit the significance of our indigenous garden, through the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grant,” Marianne Caddy, Social Justice Leader and original member of Star of the Sea, Indigenous Garden committee said.
“Our garden has a significant spiritual history, established through the life of a young man and his connection to the traditional owners of this land. Through this funding our students will be brought to a greater understanding of the importance of the land for our Aboriginal forefathers and their continued presence in the life growing in and attracted to this garden.
“The soul and spirit of Aboriginal people is shared with us through this garden.”
The Victorian government is funding the grants to provide young Victorians at schools, groups and communities to participate in outdoor, hands-on, on-ground projects, and environmental learning activities that provide both environmental and educational outcomes, as well as health and social benefits.
