General News
20 February, 2023
Avoca primary in full bloom with Landcare grant
Sowing sustainable practices among children, the latest round of an environmental grant is now open to local schools — with a 2022 beneficiary already producing blossoming results. The 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program is currently...
Sowing sustainable practices among children, the latest round of an environmental grant is now open to local schools — with a 2022 beneficiary already producing blossoming results.
The 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program is currently accepting applications from primary schools and early learning centres — offering them a chance to share in $1 million to support the development of hands-on environmental learning projects.
Grants of up to $1000 are on offer for projects focused on sustainable food production, improving waste management practices, enhancing native habitats and deepening First Nations perspectives.
Nabbing the same grant last year, the Avoca Primary School used the funding to set up a Kids Garden — a project that allowed students to build a garden from scratch.
“The area where the garden is, it was very blank, there was nothing and the kids wanted to design a garden for kids by kids and that’s what we live by now,” Avoca Primary School garden coordinator Suzanne Blackie said.
“We’ve been learning how to grow plants and we’re using a lot of recycled items to build things. We’ve tried to teach the kids about the environment and how important it is to grow your own food and also to support little ecosystems like bugs, bees and butterflies.
“It’s been an educational thing — it’s not just about getting in the garden and digging, it’s also about learning how to look after the environment.”
According to Ms Blackie, the grant gave the school an opportunity to build the green space that has brought with it blossoming prospects for the kids.
“If we didn’t have the grant, I don’t know where the money would have come from. While we do have grounds money, for a project like this we needed extra infrastructure like the garden beds, hoses and various other things,” she said.
“For the kids too, there have been so many benefits from the grant. They’re so excited about the garden and they feel like it gives them ownership in the school and makes them feel more part of the school — this is their spot, it’s not the teacher’s or parent’s spot, it’s theirs.
“From a well-being perspective it’s been amazing. The kids are positive and happy.”
While the Kids Garden is a work in progress, the school’s staff have big plans for the project — with a possible home-grown meal in the mix.
“In the coming months we want to do vegetable planting, flower planting and hopefully have cooking sessions, that’s what we aim to do. Our big aim is to have kids cooking up their own stirfry and enjoying the food that they’re growing,” Ms Blackie said.
“Even though it’s a little bit of work, I think other schools should apply for the grant to reap the same benefits.
“If you are successful, you will see the smiles on the kids faces and their excitement. It also makes the staff and everyone in the community excited as well.”
Applications for the 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants are open from now until March 17, 2023.
To find out more about the program and to apply, visit juniorlandcare.org.au
