Community Spirit
Bush Fires
What a difficult summer it has been for Australians. Our hearts go out to the families of those brave fire fighters who lost their lives and to those who lost their homes. The devastation to our beautiful bush and native wildlife is extreme. We understand that many in our community were impacted as they traveled to these regions for their annual holiday with evacuations and hastily changed travel plans.
Its times like this when you see the true Australian and Wantirna spirit shine through. Year 11 student, Logan Gallacher and his ice hockey team, the Melbourne Mustangs held a charity appeal on January 19 this year. In front of over 1500 supporters including many CFA volunteers (who had free entry) they played a charity match. In tribute to our fireys the opening ceremony puck was dropped by the CFA Deputy Chief Officer, Garry Cook. The teams guernseys were auctioned off at the end of the game with Logan's selling for more than $200. Overall the event raised $50,000.
On behalf of all Victorians a big thank you to Logan and his team for their efforts.
If there are any students who have been impacted by the fires who need additional support, please contact Ms Katrina Katz the Student Wellbeing Coordinator.
We would love to hear other stories of student fundraising efforts over the holidays.
Flying Foxes
Environmental Science teacher Kate Chamberlain has always been a little bit batty. We say that due to her love of Flying Foxes and the work she does as a volunteer to protect the species. Flying foxes are vital to pollination of the bush and without them entire Australian ecosystems would vanish. However they are particularly vulnerable to heat events. When the temperatures reach extremes they literally fall out of the trees.
On days when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees, Kate can be found after work at the bat colony on the Yarra River in Kew. With other wildlife carers she attempts to rescue the adult bats that have succumbed to the heat and take in the infants that have been orphaned. Rehabilitation for these babies is hard work with multiple feeds during the night.
National Geographic has recently published an article regarding the work that Kate and the other carers do. Please see the link below:
Catherine Ford
Assistant Principal