Kids excited over published books

Did you ever think that seagrass was awesome? How many interesting things can you recall about a platypus? You can find out all the facts with the latest books published through the Love Our Lakes Enviro-Stories program.

Paynesville year 6 students were given the opportunity to be mentored by Nagle College’s year 9 EcoWarriors. They learnt about water quality, the food chain and that seagrass is awesome!

This workshop, supported by the East Gippsland Shire Council, provided the students with the knowledge to go ahead and write their book, aptly titled ‘Seagrass is Awesome!’

Bruthen Primary School students learnt all about the platypus. They visited the Tambo River and looked at where platypus like to live, and what would cause them harm, like ‘opera house’ yabby traps.

‘Platypus Reflections’ is a collection of poetry reflecting on all the interesting things that they had learnt.

The program, delivered in 11 primary schools across Gippsland, is funded through the State Government’s Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund, as part of a $10 million commitment to maintaining the health of the Gippsland Lakes and raising community awareness of the importance of the Lakes.

The books, written by local children about the local area, will be circulated to schools and libraries through East Gippsland for use by students

“The Enviro-Stories program has been effective in encouraging students to learn about the Lakes’ environment,” said Martin Richardson, Executive Officer of the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Committee. “Importantly, the books provide a lasting legacy of learning as they are read by other students,” he said

The Enviro-Stories program was recently a finalist in the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards.

“This has been a great honour for the program and we are thrilled with the recognition after many years working with schools and organisations like the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee,” said program coordinator Peter Coleman.

You can read these books online.