Looking at developing your own Sustainability or Environmental programs? Need advice on curriculum alignments, how to package what you offer into a succinct workshop or how to ‘get into schools’? Contact me to support you and your program needs.
My interest and active citizenship within the environment was realised at an early age and continues today. During the 4 years I lived on Thursday Island, I developed a program called Clean Beach Day, where I would coordinate up to 300 volunteers from within the community, 4 times a year to clean up the beaches of Thursday Island. Led by the students, I initiated grassroots marketing and gained funding and support from the local council and businesses. Working on a zero budget, many organisations would donate and provide in-kind support to see these community days come alive. Volunteers would gather at 8am to be ferried to areas around the island, with gloves and bags in hand, community worked tirelessly to Clean the Beach. Local Council, Ports Corporation in dinghies, Police Divers at the wharf, Local transport companies with forklifts removing car bodies on the beach, everyone was involved and rewarded with ‘lucky door’ raffles and sausage sizzle. The days drew media attention and after 18 months both the project and Sally individually were awarded State Prizes from Keep Australia Beautiful. They went on to win money to produce a 25 minute documentary to share with other communities throughout the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. This documentary showed other communities how they could organise their own Clean Beach Days.
After leaving the Straits, I took up a post teaching at Sunday Creek Environmental Education Centre, where students would come on school camp to learn about the Environment. It was here that I worked with a local Aboriginal man to embed Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum, and together they developed ‘Culture Camps’. I continue to work with Mimburi Upper Mary Aboriginal Association and Aunty Beverly Hand to develop opportunities and programs for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to learn ‘on country’. I currently sit on the Steering Committee for the Kids in Action Conference and working with Environmental Educators to align their products and services with the National Curriculum.
CLICK HERE OR ON IMAGE BELOW TO PLAY CLEAN BEACH DAY VIDEO
