Wildside Art & Garden Launch

Wildside Art and Garden Launch

Last Wednesday, we celebrated the launch of our Wildside Art and Garden Project.

Purpose of the Wildside Program

 The Wildside program was created to:

• Increase biodiversity within our school grounds.
• Provide habitat for indigenous birds, especially the smaller insect-eating species that are under threat.
• Create nesting opportunities for local parrots who face shortages of natural tree hollows.
• Build knowledge and appreciation of the indigenous birds and plants unique to our area.

What We Achieved

 Through the Wildside program, our students and community have produced some incredible outcomes:

• 12 new nesting boxes installed across the school for galahs, red-rumped parrots, rainbow lorikeets, and possums.
• Individual student artworks and a mural celebrating indigenous plants and birds, proudly on display as part of the Wildside Art Show.
• A new indigenous garden, carefully designed to provide food and shelter for smaller insect-eating birds. This garden, created by our Year 3/4 students, has been named Tweet Tween Town.

A Huge Thank You

This project would not have been possible without the generosity, time, and expertise of many people and organisations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Noel – for developing the Wildside program, securing the Landcare grant, and leading the vision.
• Jenni and Noel – for volunteering throughout the unit, leading the Wildside Scavenger Hunt, and guiding the creation of Tweet Tween Town.
• Wildlife Victoria – for donating 8 possum box flat packs.
• Rowan Ewing – for sharing expert knowledge to design the Scavenger Hunt and the Wildside Garden, organising the plants, and supporting students in placing them in the right spots.
• The Melbourne Men’s Shed – for preparing the parrot nesting box flatpacks, and the 8 wonderful volunteers who helped our students build them.
• Melville Timber – for generously donating marine plywood for the project.
• Merri-bek Council, especially Charlotte, Conservation Projects Officer – for donating more than 100 plants and stakes.
• Kylie – for her contribution to the mural.
• Jan and Chris – for installing the mural.

The Wildside launch was a celebration not only of what has been achieved so far, but of what lies ahead. With every nesting box, garden plant, and piece of student artwork, we are helping to restore habitats and deepen our connection with the incredible birdlife and plants of our area.