Revegetating the hill adjacent to Gippsland Grammar’s Bairnsdale Campus has been a longstanding project for the entire Bairnsdale Campus Community.
And this year students and their family members far exceeded everyone’s expectations by planting an amazing 800 trees on the hill that overlooks the Mitchell River in a single day. This brings the total number of trees planted by the students to almost 2000 trees over three years.
Head of Bairnsdale Campus Virginia Evans said it was a mammoth effort by the whole school community which will bring rewards to the wider Bairnsdale community for decades to come.
“It was an achievement we are all proud of, knowing that we have contributed to conserving our land and future,” Mrs Evans said.
“Our Green team led by Mr Todd Cook facilitated the day, allowing us to understand our purpose and role. Having parents and grandparents assisting us on the day was a bonus — such a beautiful community event.”
The importance of the day was not lost on the students. Year three student Alby Finaly said he enjoyed planting trees because “In the future we can restore the environment to what it used to be”, while year five student Chloe Ashley said she enjoyed “helping the ecosystem so animals can thrive there”.
Year six student Ayla Buckley said she “felt a sense of achievement and that we have made a difference to our school and environment”, while Foundation student Henry Murray said “I felt excited because my buddy Evie and I planted nine trees for our environment. They will grow up to huge trees”.
Funding for the trees was secured through the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Gippsland Grammar and partners Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), Bairnsdale Urban Landcare Group, Eastwood Landcare Group and the East Gippsland Shire Council contributed to many environmental activities throughout the life of this project.
These initiatives focussed on improving community access and assets, incorporating Traditional Owner values and priorities, improving habitat for native species and wetland restoration along the highly popular area of the Mitchell River from the Lind Bridge to the Highway Bridge.
“The hard work and commitment from not only this school but the community groups that work tirelessly to ensure our rivers remain healthy for generations to come is to be applauded,” East Gippsland Catchment Management’s chief executive officer, Bec Hemming, said.
“The students will be able to keep a good eye on their work as the plants mature and grow, and they will be proud of their environmental contribution to their local area.”
IMAGE: Gippsland Grammar year six student Morgan Soulsby shows Foundation students Xander Earl and Josh Hopgood how to plant the trees. (PS)
