City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes, and South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich celebrated the development of a unique new sustainability education program at Myuna Farm recently.By Lia Bichel
STUDENTS from Doveton Primary School developed a unique new sustainability education program at Myuna Farm.
Kids Leading Sustainability was created by Grade 5 and 6 students, who were also involved in the development of an eco-trail with signs and various interactive displays, including a giant rubbish bin, throughout the farm. The program is being offered at Myuna Farm, with the students acting as tour guides and teachers.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes said the program was aimed at Grade 4 students and taught them about produce gardening, habitat conservation waste management and energy and water conservation.
“As it has been developed by students for students, it’s strongly focused on building confidence and empowering our young students to lead the way on sustainability at home, at school, among friends and in the community,” Cr Balmes said.
“Part of the council’s vision for the future is to create a sustainable Casey. The fact that young students have made such an amazing contribution in this project and in many ways lead the way, gives me a great hope for our sustainable future,” Cr Balmes said.
Cr Balmes said 135 students from local schools had been part of the education program, with another 80 students already booked in for this month.
“Over the next five years we hope that participation in Kids Leading Sustainability will grow to equal the Myuna Farm Education Program, which teaches more than 2500 students every year,” she said.
The project was supported by the Victorian Government with $72,000 from the neighbourhood renewal grants program, managed by the Sustainability Fund. South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich welcomed the funding.
“Myuna Farm is a local hidden treasure in the City of Casey that is enjoyed by many families not only locally but throughout Melbourne,” she said.
“Myuna Farm also acts as an additional educational tool to provide students from local schools with examples of farming life, bringing the country to their doorstep.”
