Melanie Riley
YAHL Primary School students have used creativity to educate about the environment with the creation of a kids book.
The book was a project through the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Young Environmental Leaders Program.
Limestone Coast Landscape Board landscape educator Vanessa Freebairn said students were asked why they nominated to be part of the Young Environmental Leaders Program and the majority of the students said they wanted to learn more about their local environment and how to improve it.
“The projects this year have been amazing, with students really challenging their thinking and creating change,” she said.
The Young Environmental Leaders Program allows students across the region to learn how they can better care for country and sustainably manage our landscape into the future.
The book, ‘Who Will Help?’ was written and illustrated by year 6 students and promotes the important message of how everyone can make a difference by minimising litter and learning to care about the environment and animals.
With the help of a grant from OneFortyOne’s Community Grants Program, the students were able to have the book published.
‘Who will help?’ is a story about a magpie named Pippa, and a copperhead snake named Eli that set off to search and rescue two young swamp wallabies who go missing in The Valley Lakes.
The characters are named after two of the creative students, Pippa and Eli.
The students consulted with local Boandik Elder Uncle Ken Jones and author Jo Watson for the creation of the book.
Student Pippa said that the book was made relevant to local people, as well as people from elsewhere to encourage them to learn about local culture and places.
“Uncle Ken helped us with Boandik language, so we could include Boandik words in the story,” she said.
Student Eli said his teacher, Mel Holtz’ favourite animal is the magpie, so that was the animal chosen for one of the main characters.
“We researched what other native animals live around the area as well,” he said.
Ms Holtz oversaw the project and wanted to ensure the book was a top quality finished product.
“Without the OneFortyOne grant, we would have just had to limit ourselves to photocopied versions,” she said.
“I knew if we wanted the project to be successful and the students to feel like they have made something with a lasting impact, it needed to be good quality.”
OneFortyOne corporate affairs manager Charlene Riley said they were happy to support the students and their hard work with a grant to cover their publishing costs.
“As a business that relies on the natural environment and operating in a sustainable way, we want to support local people that are also doing good for the environment,” she said.
“The Yahl Primary School story book was such a unique and creative idea and met both the nature and education objectives of our PINE Community Grants Program.”
The students hoped the book would inspire everyone to look after nature, and said if it gets a lot of interest, there may be a softcover version to come.
‘Who Will Help?’ is available for loan from the Mount Gambier Public Library.
