Gallery | Bush Revival Day at Rumbalara

By Jay Bryce

May 22, 2023

Creepy crawlies: Year 3 student Yanni Giatrakos with his new friend. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

On Wednesday, May 17 almost 200 Greater Shepparton primary school students came together at the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative in Mooroopna to learn about the environment at Rumbalara’s Bush Revival Day.

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The students moved between different activities, including tree planting, cultural painting, learning about bugs, animals and cultural artefacts, as well as fire safety and using a water hose with the help of Forest Fire Management Victoria members.

The activities were designed to engage the students and educate them about the environment and the role of the forest and its inhabitants within the wider ecosystem.

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Regrowth: Ali White from River Connect demonstrating how to plant trees. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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The barbecue team: Amanda Newman, Samantha Wawrick, Frances Nicholson, Lisa Miller and Aunty Cheryl. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Face painting: Year 5 student Hayley Vice. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Making art: Year 4 student Attalyia Woods. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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A bug eduction: Guthrie St Primary School learning about insects. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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New creation: Year two student Jessie Ash. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

There was a ‘hydration station’ that allowed students to fill up their water bottles whenever they wanted to, encouraging the use of reusable containers over single-use plastics.

Rumbalara also had a barbecue for staff and students throughout the day.

Executive manager for engagement and family services Susan Williams said Rumbalara had worked with River Connect and Greater Shepparton City Council, as well as other land management services, including Parks Victoria and FFMV, to host the first of hopefully many Bush Revival Days.

“These are the leaders of the future and it’s so important to teach them about the environment now so that when they become young adults they know how to look after it. Without the environment we have nothing,” Ms Williams said.

“It’s been a lovely day, we’ve been very lucky with the sun being out and it’s great to see the kids having so much fun.”