By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A GROUP of local students has banded together to come to the aid of Australian wildlife.
As part of their VCAL learning outcomes, Year 11 students at Pakenham Secondary College undertook various projects to support Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue and Education, or AWARE.
On Thursday 22 October, the three groups of students gathered in Tooradin to present their projects and speak about the processes behind their work.
Each group said they were inspired to raise money and awareness for the cause after AWARE President Jackie Brown spoke to the class early in term one of this year.
Following Jackie’s visit, students split into groups and decided on practical projects to help.
One group sponsored a sign to display on the Tooradin foreshore, encouraging the public to remove their rubbish.
In speaking about the project, students Tyler and Alasdair said making the sign was difficult but worthwhile.
“The sign involved a massive long process of phone calls, emails, negotiations, problem solving, excursions and more,” they said.
The boys explained that they first had to contact Ross Wilkie of the Tooradin Foreshore Committee to explain their idea and gain the approval of the committee.
“Then next we had to figure out a design for the sign,” they said.
“We came up with several designs and we all liked this one the most.”
They collaborated with Sign-A-Rama to have a sticker printed which was then stuck onto a piece of steel.
Callum, another student, spoke on behalf of another group, who decided to make homes for ring-tailed possums.
He said that his group used a diagram and material list on the AWARE webpage to make the homes, which are known as ‘dreys.’
“After writing up a list (of materials) we got in contact with the local Bunnings store to ask if they would be able to donate the materials we would need,” he said.
“Once the materials arrived we had to seek permission from the maintenance supervisor at our school to use his tools to make the dreys.”
The final group decided to raise money for AWARE by selling handmade items at a market stall at Akoonah Park, Berwick.
Speaking as representatives of their group, students Jeremy and Chloe said students had put a significant amount of work into making the goods.
“The students first got together and thought we could make items to sell at the market out of recycled materials and only touch our budget if we really needed,” they said.
“We soon worked out that there were not enough items using sustainable materials and we had to purchase extra items.
“We made a range of products for the market such as necklaces, candles, headbands, the tie dye bags, plants and loads more.”
The students presented AWARE with a cheque for $301.50 at the presentation.
All groups thanked VCAL teachers Laura Henderson and Carla Hobbs for their support of the project.
