Issue 146 Mar 2019

ozEEnews Newsletter of the Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc ISSUE 146 MAR 2019

THEME: IY indigenous language INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Report 2 Noongar Meanings in Place 3-4 Little Steps in Noongar Culture 5 Culture along the Murray 6 A lesson plan for IYIL 7 Zayed Sustainability Prize 8 Indigenous Taxonomy 9 Jarowair language 10 Writing for Enviro Prize 11 NSW Chapter Update 12 VIC Chapter Update 12 ACT Chapter Update 13 Students get painted in ochre. Read more on page 6. Photo: Kelly Coleman, PeeKdesigns TAS Chapter Update 14 SA Chapter Update 14 WA Chapter Update 15 In this issue Welcome to the first issue ofozEEnews You can QLD Chapter Update 16 for 2019 and The Year of Indigenous access a range of Book Review 17 Language. classroom-ready The United Nations declared 2019 curriculum-linked Sustainable Events 18 as The Year of Indigenous Languages resources on the in order to raise awareness of these Getting Started AJEE: Reviewers invited 19 languages, not only to benefit the with Sustainability Your AAEE: 20 people who speak them, but also for resource portal Alison Cooper others to appreciate the important and filter the topic Editor ozEEnews [email protected] Announcements 21 contribution they make to our world’s to ‘Indigenous rich cultural diversity (iyil2019.org). Knowledge’. Simply visit the website at In this issue we share stories of sustainabilityinscools.edu.au. how Australia’s First People’s The Zayed Sustainability Prize is ozEEnews culture and language is a prestigious global award inspires is the news- used to enrich education schools to nurture the next generation letter of the and learning across the of sustainability leaders while addressing Australian country. For more on global sustainability priorities. Your Association for how Aboriginal stories school has until the end of May to enter. Environmental are embedded in our Read more on page 8. Education Inc. Australian landscapes, Be sure to also check out the many Views read our feature article great events coming up this year inside expressed on pages 3-4. this issue. in ozEEnews are Alison not necessarily those of the Association. Material may be copied with due acknowledgement. This electronic edition of ozEEnews has been sent to all ISSN 1034-6600 www.aaee.org.au members with email addresses. If you have not supplied or you have changed your email address, please send your correct email address to [email protected]. ozEEnews Mar 2019 President’s Report Jennifer Pearson

The executive are enthusiastic between Australian Association about the new initiative to for Environmental Education Events create a Youth Advisory Board. (AAEE), the Australian Geography The interest from young people Teachers’ Association (AGTA), applying from across Australia Business Educators Australasia If you have any events is encouraging. With the able (BEA) and the Social and that you would like leadership of Angela Colliver Citizenship Education Association published in ozEEnews and David Butler the YAB will of Australia (SCEAA). This frame the way in which they Foundation published excellent please send the name of need to work, the issues they resources such as ‘Commonwealth the event, date and time, believe are critical to advance EfS Class Project’, ‘Australia-China and resources they need from project - Beijing 2008 Olympic venue, and a contact our members to action their Games’, ‘Arab Gateway’ and much email address to recommendations. We will be able more. Every effort will be made to launch the YAB in early April to have these available on the [email protected] and we are looking forward to Getting Started website. supporting them. During the ‘Chapter Check The Sustainability Cross In’ meeting late February it was Curriculum Priorities (SCCP) uplifting to hear about the many Intending contributors project, led by Graeme Sawyer, projects, networks and issues that was initiated in early 2018, are playing out across our large should forward material is entering Phase 2. It was network. The discussion included by e-mail to agreed that the scoping phase the upcoming Federal elections [email protected] of this work is complete and and how AAEE must take this Deadline for contributions we are working towards a opportunity to lift up the need to next edition is project proposal to have this for EfS so that politicians view it work refined and edited to be a as a critical element of the work 3 June 2019 useful resource for teachers. The to grapple with climate change Electronic format is intention is to present this work outcomes. The NSW Chapter has preferred though not to ACARA to make the links to a campaign format we can use essential. Artwork, the SCCP visible for teachers. to frame a national campaign cartoons and photographs The resource will also be placed around. The SA Chapter has should be provided at on the ‘Getting Started with offered their energy and contacts 100dpi, postcard size, Sustainability in Schools’ website, from The Change Agency to sustainabilityinschools.edu.au. We guide us. The ACT Chapter has minimum. all know how well EfS can provide recommendations about creating Articles may be features, context for valuable learning resources that they have found reports, events, snippets, experiences for students. useful in advocacy work they carry reviews, etc and should be Another initiative is the call out. Are you prepared to be noisy less than 600 words. for our members and contractors and persistent to get a National to send an Expression of Interest Action Plan and the reinstatement Decisions about to develop resources. The funds of the EfS schools network that publication are the became available because of was AuSSI? Contact me with your responsibility of the the demise of the Australian ideas. editor. ozEEnews accepts Federation for Societies for Studies advertising. Charges are of Societies and Environment Thanks everyone for your efforts, available on request to (AFSSSE). This was an alliance Jennifer the editor.

Thankyou to contributors Thanks go to all the members who contributed articles for this edition and [email protected] for the desktop publishing. 2

Layers of Meanings in our Landscapes: Aliwa! Ni! By Sandra Wooltorton, Len Collard language-embedded wisdom. ‘Learning lifestyles and habits of settlers and and Pierre Horwitz language’ and ‘learning place’ go their descendants. This is a third way, a together. cultural reciprocity – enabling people to live and share an Earth-based rationality: Noongar meaning in The research team landscape one that acknowledges Noongar We, the three writers, cultural custodians, recognises Noongar Aliwa is a Noongar (South are university-based meanings and stories in landscape, and West Australian) word which transdisciplinary celebrates Noongar ways of knowing, translates as ‘look out, be researchers and educators being and doing. observant or be aware. Ni who have been working Whilst our research and examples means ‘listen, pay attention’. from different perspectives pertain to Noongar Boodjar, or In our Australian landscapes, on the ecological wisdom southwestern Australia, the ideas we Aboriginal stories and in Noongar science – as develop apply to many Australian place- meanings are hiding in full described in Noongar based and ecological language contexts. view, wherever we walk, Professor Pierre Horwitz language – each for over wherever we travel, wherever thirty years. Noongar language-embedded science we are. The point in this short article is For the last fifteen years or so, we for cultural-environmental learning that as educators we need to be able to have been collaborating to synthesise Because of the depth of ecological see, hear and understand the essence and build upon our separate knowledge knowledge developed in Noongar of landscape-embedded stories so that bases to address complex socio- language, some concepts do not we can teach, show and explain these ecological problems. We are: a fluent translate easily into English. This meanings to our children, students, Noongar language speaker /cultural points to the significant reasons peers and families. To do this, we need custodian (Len), an ecologist (Pierre) why Australians should be given to learn the Aboriginal languages of our and cultural geographer (Sandra), who an opportunity to learn their local own places. have been on a katitjiny bidi (knowledge Aboriginal language. Aboriginal languages, which helped path), a Noongar learning journey Here we offer three examples of to form the Australian landscapes and (examples of our joint publications are Noongar language-embedded science: are a product of those landscapes, listed below). the kundaam (specifically, the long have been spoken in Australia for over Our intent is quite blatantly now), boodjar and karlaboodjar. 60,000 years. Our places hold and have ‘reciprocal colonisation’, aiming The kundaam is the basis of integrated their local languages and to actively influence the everyday continued P4

Visit the Derbal Nara project at www.derbalnara.org.au for akatitjin bidi of the coast south of Fremantle 3 ozEEnews Mar 2019

Layers of Meanings from p4

Visit the Nyungar Boodjar project at www.boodjar.sis.uwa.edu.au for a katitjin bidi of Nyungar place names

Noongar knowing: it comprises all cultural authority to burn, to care for it. Conclusion of the stories, songlines, creation So karlaboodjar is home-place – to which Aliwa! Ni! The 2019 International Year narratives, science and explanations for we are related in the same way as we are of Indigenous Languages presents an everyday life. To understand this, we related to our family members. An extension outstanding opportunity to practice cultural need to understand that in Noongar of this is kurduboodjar: ‘love of place’. environmental learning in our teaching and language, time is not historically linear. Noongar language speakers have always daily lives. Learning our local Aboriginal For example, that which English influenced settlers and their descendants. language enables us to learn to see, hear speakers refer to as the past and the For example, many of our local plant and and recognise our places anew. future is understood in Noongar animal species such as jarrah, karri, tuart and Australia is an Aboriginal place – we language as a ‘long now’. Using gilgi, and many place names for instance are all participants in landscape time, documents originally produced over Gnangara, Mandurah and Katanning, are now recognising the urgency of listening 100 years ago, here is how we have Noongar words. to its languages and acknowledging described it in our 2015 article: its wisdoms. Place is family too – and [The long now is]… a cyclical, Cultural-environmental learning it needs the same respect and care. rhythmical sense of time in which centres Waking up landscape-embedded elements and characters of the past Over the last decade, educators and meanings is also the process of waking (kura), the present (yeyi) and the activists have produced an encouraging up ourselves: of coming back to our real future (burdawan) are all enfolded increase in cultural-environmental learning selves through reciprocal interaction with here in the now (yeyi), yielding an centres (albeit often with different local our places. In the southwest, Noongar expanded, continuing present with objectives), both actual and web-based. meanings are here in our landscape, an interconnected past and future; a For Noongar boodjar at least, these hiding in full view. concept fundamental to the kundaam. places are here now, and ready for visits: What are your local language- Similarly, boodjar is often translated • NoongarPedia website; embedded place-based stories? as ‘countryside’, however Noongar • Kodja Place gallery, in Kojonup, WA; language seems to describe an inclusive Bibliography concept of a ‘nature-culture’, a • Bilya Koort Boodjar in Northam, WA; All references available free of charge at pregnant, fertile, nurturing landscape • Museum of the Great Southern Education in panjournal.net. inclusive of people, spirits, water and Albany, WA; • Wooltorton, S., Collard, L., & Horwitz, P. (2015). Stories food sources and narratives – all of • the forthcoming WA Museum (we believe want to be told: Elaap Karlaboodjar. PAN: Philosophy, whom are all socially and ecologically an outstanding display is being developed); activism, nature, 11, 3-18. related. Altogether boodjar is living, and • Wooltorton, S., Collard, L., & Horwitz, P. (2017). The where interdependencies play out. • Ngalang Wongi in Bunbury WA, where you Land Still Speaks. Ni, Katitj! PAN: Philosophy, activism, Similarly, karl translates to English can take cultural tours at with custodians nature(13), 2-15. as both ‘home’ and ‘fire’ – because such as Troy Bennell and many others. • Wooltorton, S., Collard, L., & Horwitz, P. (In Print: 2019). Living water: groundwater and wetlands in home is the boodjar that a bidiya – the Other parts of this continent will have senior custodian of a family group – has Gnangara, Noongar boodjar. PAN: Philosophy, activism, a similar array of opportunities. nature(14).

Little Steps in Noongar Culture By Jennifer Pearson

Western Australia has a strong Noongar culture of 14 distinct dialect regions and early years educators have always looked for information and resources to grow their understanding of this rich culture and sensitively include it in their programs. Building on the wealth of sustainability resources Little Green Steps WA offers educators, program manager Megan Mentz has recently developed a range of workshop experiences in close association with Noongar educator, Leonard Thorn. These include: Learning about Noongar cultures for early years professionals In this workshop, educators learn how culture and identity can affect our actions, values and cultural conversations, and explore aspects and activities that can make Noongar cultural connections real. Ways to make early years’ services socially diverse and culturally appropriate and Educators practice a game that teaches about traditional fishing methods build relationships with children from ‘I thoroughly enjoyed hearing first- learned. Participants are encouraged to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and hand about Leonard’s life and culture discover ways they can embed Noongar multicultural families are considered. when growing up. I highly recommend culture into children’s learning and The session also includes a presentation the workshop. I found it to be authentic, routines, and are provided with a list of from a Noongar educator, and relevant, interactive and engaging.’ curriculum linked resources for further questions are encouraged. Gwen, City of Cockburn Child Care Services exploration. As part of a NAIDOC Week grant, ‘I have greatly benefitted from Megan and Leonard developed and Noongar Yarning and Cultural activities and used the information gained from trialed a specific educational experience In this workshop, early years educators the Noongar cultural activities workshop for early years educators. For many explore aspects of Noongar culture to influence my educational programme educators the challenge is the selection through hands-on activities that can delivered to students.’ of hands-on activities and associated make connections real for young Dorinda, Good Start Early Learning - Alfred Cove language to help children learn and children. The activities explore appreciate the culture and technologies traditional means of fishing and food With the UN declaring 2019 the of Noongar groups. The workshop below preparation; the use of resources on International Year of Indigenous enables educators to learn, from Leonard, Country during the six seasons; totems Language, we look forward to assisting ways in which Noongar men and women and cultural identity; identification of early years educators as they embrace have traditionally provided for their plants and natural resources and their the opportunities that an active interest families. Many of the activities are easily usage; and Noongar words for body in Noongar culture can provide for replicated in an early years setting. parts, simple tools and animals are young children.

Sustainability in schools: Teaching resources There are a range of classroom-ready resources for all subjects, available for teachers from the Getting Started with Sustainability in Schools website. Search the Resources Portal at www.sustainabilityinschools.edu.auwww.sustainabilityinschools.edu.au It’s time to get started with sustainability in schools.

5 ozEEnews Mar 2019 First People’s culture along the Murray

By Kelly Coleman, PeeKdesigns

With the support from Aboriginal Elders, communities and organisations, a new resource has been developed for teachers to help them deliver cultural education in the classroom. Created by consultants from PeeKdesigns and Petaurus Education Group Inc., First People’s Culture within the Murray Region of NSW has been specifically designed to assist teaching Aboriginal histories and culture with the aim of fostering reconciliation and respect for the Murray region’s First People. I am delighted to see the release of this unique and inspiring resource, said Owen Dunlop, Executive Officer for Petaurus Education Group. After many years of consultation with Elders and Indigenous groups, schools will now have a framework to support them in learning about our cultural heritage within the Murray region. During the development phase, Wiradjuri Elder Nancy Rooke commented, Resources like this are much needed and education is so important as we move forward. First People’s Culture within the Murray Region of NSW contains a range Cover artwork by of general information and activity Uncle David Dunn, sheets about Australia’s First People. Wiradjuri Elder. This is followed by a section that is specific to six of the Aboriginal nations community,” said Mr. Coleman. “We located within the Murray region of are very privileged to be trusted with NSW - the Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Wamba the task of pulling their knowledge Wamba/Wemba Wemba, Bangerang/ together and representing it in a Pangerang, Mutthi Mutthi, and Barapa suitable format for use in our schools.” Barapa/Perrepa Perrepa people. In preparing this document, the This content has been written by, or insights, knowledge and information transcribed from, Elders and community provided by Aboriginal people members about their own people. over the years has been treated “This resource gives a good with great respect. We trust that starting point to learn about the teachers, students and other users area’s Traditional Owners”, said will also treat the material with great Peter Coleman, project manager and respect. consultant with PeeKdesigns. “We One teacher’s feedback: This strongly recommend schools use this resource is excellent. There is so resource in conjunction with contacting much information that is general their local Aboriginal community, as enough and specific enough to be so they have a wealth of experience and useful. The work with communities is so knowledge that will enhance students’ reassuring. There is so much teachers learning about our First People.” can do. Thank you for your work and “On behalf of all collaborators, taking the time to produce this. Preschool students undertake art workshop. we thank the Elders and Aboriginal This project is supported by Murray Photo: Fleur Hall communities for sharing their Local Land Services through funding The document is available as a free knowledge, stories, experiences and from the Australian Government’s download from www.peekdesigns.com. expertise for the benefit of the wider National Landcare Program. au and www.wirraminna.org.au

Intro to IYIL A lesson plan

By Jeanie Clark enviroed4all

A plan How do you introduce the International Year of Indigenous Language to a class of mixed level middle and upper primary students in rural Victoria? The below is the sequence I used, spread out over a day, which worked out well and may be of use to you.

What other words do you use for the greeting “Hello”? • What was/is the IL greeting here? • What is an IL? • Challenge: Find words inside ‘indigenous’ • What was/is the region of our IL and its First Peoples? • What Creation heritage is in the IL? (names and stories) • How can you share in telling this as an oral story? This laid the groundwork to add other Indigenous Languages activities or stories, e.g. the six seasons of the year (so far). Story telling aid by middle schoolers

A Wimmera example ones. We practised saying it to each • Notes: 20 clans spoke Wergaia in 4 “Hello!” How many ways did this other. dialects. group of children know how to say this? • So now I could introduce the concept • I created a worksheet of Wergaia words It turned out to be surprisingly few as I of an ‘Indigenous Language” as the and English translations to match when wrote them up on a big sheet of paper. words spoken by the original people (the watching the youtube video “Tchingal: They came up with “Hi”, “G’day”, Wotjabolak here) who live where we live stories of a Wotjobaluk Country” . The “Good morning” and stalled. I asked now and who spoke the languages of first viewing was to get the story, the for other languages. Some had learnt Wergaia. (They got it easily.) second was to find the vocab, and a third Italian some years ago and confidently • The ‘word nerds’ loved this! for pleasure, requested by the children. offered “Ciaou”. None realised that the • The children created drawings of the Auslan they were currently learning as a • I created a worksheet for discussion: most important part in the creation story. LOTE could be included, but eventually • the IL logo (having got permission to They practised telling the story that went the hands went up waving. Surprisingly, use it from IYIL) with this. Then they were paired with the couple with migrant histories had • the statement “We respectfully Junior class children to tell them that part not been taught a greeting word in acknowledge the First Peoples of this of the story. It went really well, but I their parent’s/ grandparent’s languages. land, the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners, would have liked to have had much more There was less cultural diversity in this past, present and future as we learn time to have organised and shared the class than might be elsewhere! about their culture in the land we live on stories as a sequence in a whole group • Have you ever heard the word ‘Dalk’? today”. rather than pairs. Some did recall it from a visit to the • Victorian maps from the web of ‘First Brambuk Aboriginal Centre at Gariwerd/ Peoples’ and ‘Aboriginal Language Areas’ Grampians NP. This greeting word - peoples and languages areas may not Although I did this as a CRT, I hope the would have been used where we live be exactly the same. ideas inspire you to start exploring the before the arrival of white settlers. I wrote • Pronunciation of Wotjobaluk and Indigenous languages for where you it on a big sheet of paper over the other Wergaia - practised live!

7 ozEEnews Mar 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize 2019 high school winners announced

Six Global High Schools were recognised as the 2019 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, at the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week on Monday 14th January 2019. The Global High Schools category, which was introduced in 2012, expanded this year from five to six schools, with each representing a specific world region. Participating schools submitted a project proposal that addressed one or more of the four sustainability challenges: Health, Food, Energy or Water. Lowanna High School in Victoria and Fiordland College in New Zealand were finalists for the East Asia and Pacific region. The regional winner, Muntinlupa High School in the Philippines, received US$100,000. As the largest secondary school in the Latrobe Valley, the Lowanna College student population comes from families Zayed primarily working in coal-fired power Sustainability stations or agriculture. The recent Prize 2019 closure of one of three large power Oceania finalist, stations nearby, with the loss of 800 Lowanna jobs, places Lowanna College at the College heart of the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of power. Lowanna’s proposal for the Zayed Sustainability Prize was a broad student leadership program for sustainability through fun and engaging projects such as a biodigester model, pellet mill, solar array, mushroom house, work farm shelter and a bicycle-powered smoothie maker. To read more about Lowanna College’s case study and other Oceania finalists, visitwww.aaee.org.au . Zayed Entries now open for 2020 global Sustainability sustainability prize Prize 2019 finalists The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the prestigious global award based in the communities, while also inspiring and indirect positive impact to more than United Arab Emirates, is now accepting schools to nurture the next generation 318 million people around the world. submissions of projects and solutions of sustainability leaders. Winners of the Zayed Sustainability that promote sustainable development. Established in 2008 as the Zayed Prize 2020 will be announced at Organisations and schools can Future Energy Prize, the Prize broadened the annual awards ceremony held enter for the 2020 Prize in one of five its scope last year to address global during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water sustainability priorities and closely align Week, in January next year. Entries are and Global High Schools. with the United Nations’ Sustainable made online and close 30 May 2019. The Prize rewards organisations that Development Goals (SDGs). Since 2008, For more information, visit empower and enhance disadvantaged the Prize’s winners have delivered direct www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com 8

Learning from Indigenous Perspectives on Taxonomy & Seasons By Chris Yates, Environmental Scientist and High School Teacher

Language indicates how we view nature and historical connection with land. In Yorkshire, my birth place, many words in dialect are from Norse (Viking). A frosk (froskr = frog) may be seen in the beck (bekkr = stream). As I learnt about the ecological knowledge built up over generations by Indigenous people in close contact with their environment, I realised that there had been complex systems in use for millennia. I would like to acknowledge the traditional land owners of the Yolngu and Wardaman land and pay my respects to their elders past and present. Language is fluid and dependent upon status of community members. In Yolgnu language, warrakan is used by children for large birds but adults may use this for all birds. Similarly miyapunu is used to refer to turtles, but by men A Crosslands fieldwork school class in the Berowra NP when referring to whales, as part of cultural knowledge. mammals, reptiles (not snakes) and birds gundapuy guya are reef fish. Scientists group alike organisms • Bäpi – snakes, legless lizards and worms I was unsurprised to learn that together. Aboriginal classification different n systems are also used • Miyapunu – marine animals with bones of edible plants and animals is still for seasonal cycles. Understanding hierarchical. Three birds in Yolngu • Maranydjalk – stingrays and sharks changes in country through territory are the masked, long-tailed and • Guya – fish observations was once essential to double-barred finch. The Yolngu people • Maypal – shellfish, crustaceans and survival. These are the 6 seasons of the recognise these birds as one group insect larvae Yolngu calendar. which in their language, Gupapuyngu • Guku – bees The message for students is one of they call lidjilidji. Lidjilidji make up the And then they are classified into where the importance of seasonality in food category of small birds called djikay. they are found: retjapuy in monsoon forest; sources which can be linked to school Living things (walngamirr) are diltjipuy, in eucalyptus forest; baralapuy, in gardens and of sustainable resources, classified into: dunes; gulunbuy, in freshwater swamps and particularly water. A number of skilled • Dharpa – plants with woody stems rangipuy by the beach. based activities could be designed to • Mulmu – plants without woody stems Garrwarpuy guya are fish at the surface; link seasons with meteorological data • Warrakan – land or freshwater ngoypuy guya are bottom dwellers and (contact me for references).

Yolngu calendar Season Period Characteristics What happens End of wet season, scattered Vegetable and fish plentiful. Mirdawarr Late March and April showers. Wind SE, air still hot & Goose-hunting, fishing using humid. basket traps Burning grass for goanna, Dhaarratharramirri Late April to August Wind in E and SE kangaroo.

Hot.. Winds NE. Storms. Stringy Fish spearing in estuarine & Rarranhdharr September October bark in flower. coastal waters. Nomadic life restricted. People Hot & humid before rain season Worlmamirri Late October -December generally in camps near Frequent violent thunder storms. permanent water. Windy: gurrkamirri (gale), Inland travel restricted by floods Baarramirri January dhuykun (breeze) and dense grass.

Inland travel impossible due to Gurnmul or Waltjarnmirri February - March Wet season proper. floods. 9 ozEEnews Mar 2019

Amaroo mural by Kim Walmsley who is an Indigenous artist based in Toowoomba. Captures the stories of the area around Amaroo where students Connect with Country. Revitalisation of the Jarowair language

By Paul Carmody, Jarowair words like Garbal every day school life. For example, Amaroo EEC (carpet python), Cumboogie (yabby), local schools in consultation with Gamba Daru (Greetings in Jarowair) Gurroman (male kangaroo), Ngui Amaroo EEC and Traditional Owners, from Amaroo Environmental (emu), Meringandan (fire clay), use Jarowair words to categorise Education Centre. Toowoomba (swamps), Bular (one), each of their reading groups, have At first contact, Australia’s First Wombarah (two) Bular +Wombarah David Horton’s Aboriginal Languages Peoples held over 300 Languages (three) form part of Amaroo EEC’s Map on the wall referencing all and spoke up to 700 dialects. Yet daily programs like Marvellous Mini parts of Australia for geography, a common misconception persists Murris and Murri Migaloo Magic our history and literature. They have today that the First Australians were Conservation and Land Management also commissioned wall art murals one homogenised group. Think Certificate II course. depicting the Bonyi Bonyi festival continental Europe and the diversity In partnership with Amaroo EEC and Gummingurru’s integral role and of languages, cultures and beliefs. and Gummingurru, Toowoomba’s incorporated Indigenous games using Amaroo EEC, situated 20 Wilsonton State High School Indigenous languages into sporting kilometres north of Toowoomba, changed their four sporting Houses and physical activities. sits on Jarowair country, a smaller to bear the Jarowair names of local Language is the cornerstone of subgroup of the larger Waka Waka animals exhibiting human traits culture. In conjunction with local nation, which extends north to the including strength, resilience, Traditional Owners and elders, local Burnett and south to near Brisbane. protection, spirituality, persistence schools and Amaroo EEC we have Jarowair were severely impacted by and endurance. The school wanted been able to revitalise Jarowair dialect First Contact and few speakers or the house names to be timeless words that have been deeply sleeping vocabulary remain. However, in and acknowledge first nations’ for some time. Hopefully this journey partnership with local Traditional connections to the local area. will grow exponentially into the Owners, Gummingurru (Men’s cultural In addition to these language future. site) and Amaroo EEC, revitalisation projects, Amaroo EEC has been of the Jarowair language has been working closely with local schools For more information, growing over the last few years. to truly embed Jarowair words into visit www.amarooeec.eq.edu.au

Writing for the Environment: Sutherland Shire Environment Centre Award 2019

By Tassia Kolesnikow, Southerland Shire Environment Centre

In honour of its beloved patron, Bob Walshe, who passed away in March 2018, Sutherland Shire Environment Centre is initiating a Writing for the Environment award. Writing was a passion and a skill of Bob’s. He taught and inspired many people to write and write and write! And the origins of the SSEC were in a writing course in the Sutherland Shire. The SSEC Board would like to continue to value the role and place of writing in helping to shape a sustainable world. This is a call to writers and those who want to write. The competition is for people who are Australian citizens and 25 years or younger. What to write For this inaugural Writing for the Environment Scholarship, the Board would like a piece of writing that is: 1000 words • Original • Fiction or Non-fiction • Prose • Creative and quirky • Clear in purpose and audience. The topic for 2019 is Writing to Change the World. Prize The winning entry will receive a prize of $1000. The winner will also be invited to run a workshop on writing to change the world at the NSW Environmental Education Conference being held in the Sutherland Shire in October 2019. Submissions Submissions are due on 5 June 32019 via email to Phil Smith [email protected] The winner will be announced in early July 2019. The judging panel will comprise a representative of the Board of SSEC for the Sutherland Shire Environment If you have any questions, please and two writers. By submitting your Centre to publish it on its website and contact Phil Smith on the email above piece of writing, you give permission elsewhere as appropriate. or on 0412 338 687.

11 ozEEnews Mar 2019 NSW Chapter Update

2019 has begun with a bang in NSW! The beginning of Feb saw us deliver the first of our fourteen free, sustainability education workshops across the state on how to deliver a best practice sustainability education project. Funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, these workshops are based on a guide we developed in 2017/18 (available on our website) and will run through to April. We’re also planning and preparing to launch two exciting new projects in 2019 – the relaunch of the Sustainable Schools NSW program, and the Australian-first Take Me Outside program, based on the highly successful Canadian event. Follow us on Facebook or keep an eye on our website to hear more about these two programs. Planning is also in full swing for our 2019 NSW Environmental Education Conference ActiveNature, this year being delivered in Northern Rivers BP workshop participants partnership between AAEE NSW and open should you wish to present editions are now available in the the Sutherland Shire Environment your work to your peers. Visit www. members section of the AAEE website. Centre. Educators from across the nsweeconference.org.au/abstracts. To find out more about what we’re country are welcomed to attend If you need a good read, why up to, or to get involved in our chapter, so block 3-5 October 2019 in your not also check out our latest copy of visit www.aaeensw.org.au to contact us diary now. Call for Abstracts is now Conversations e-magazine? All past and we’ll link you in!

VIC Chapter Update

By Christina Renowden Transitioning into 2019 Environment Education Victoria (EEV) is off to a great start in 2019. We have a new Executive Officer, Shane French, who joins the operational team with enthusiasm and readiness for the challenges ahead. Our committee of management are in a phase of transition, with four new committee members who are highly skilled, full of energy and ready to contribute to our The team listen closely to our Upcoming events vision of active, aware and sustainable members and care about their needs, EEV are delighted to be working communities. Our team will take part this is an integral part of our role in alongside the organising committee in a strategic planning day scheduled the sector. Therefore, as part of our for the annual Steps 2 Sustainability for the end of the month. Our goals this objectives in 2019, we will be re- Conference themed around ‘Local year will be focused and primed with evaluating how EEV can best support life: On Land and Below Water’. Our forward thinking. and represent teachers in the sector and collaborative partners in this conference other members of the EEV community. are Catholic Education Melbourne, Teaching is tough: how can EEV We will investigate best-practices to add Zoos Victoria, Port Phillip EcoCentre, best support and represent our value to our members in order to meet St Louis de Montfort Primary School, members? their needs and expectations. Sustainability Victoria and CERES. 12

ACT Chapter Update

Gatherings’ – a transformative with a passion for the arts. Participants project for young Aboriginal and will be encouraged to pursue their own Torres Strait Islander artists life stories and journeys. They will also have opportunities to share the stories of community elders and to work with By Julia Landford, both established Indigenous and non Founding Director of NatureArt Lab, and Indigenous artists. member of the ACT AAEE Executive Julia Landford, the Founding Director of NatureArt Lab - Canberra’s From March – December 2019, twelve natural history art school based at M16 aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Artspace - will also be contributing to Islander arts students will participate this important program. Participating in an M16 Artspace Project called students in the ‘Gatherings’ project ‘Gatherings’. Designed to bring will have opportunities to learn together young artists, this project about nature-journaling, developing will assist young people to become foundation skills in drawing, the use gatherers of knowledge about the of watercolour and other mediums. place they live, its people and its Immersion in the natural environment stories. Their exposure to some of the provides an avenue for mindfulness, Eagle sculpture at Tidbinbilla best artistic talent in this country will slowing down and focusing awareness, expand these young artists’ horizons collecting information and building experience for the young artists to the possibilities of art as a vehicle for knowledge through understanding. involved. The project will culminate in transforming lives. Using nature journaling to fully engage a joint art exhibition or installation, to The project has a focus on with a subject, will enable students to be presented publicly as part of an M16 connection with place and belonging. It think visually and study a subject from a commitment to embed Indigenous aims to further develop and strengthen range of perspectives. arts practice within the everyday artistic capital by working individually The ‘Gatherings’ program will be happenings of Canberra’s arts calendar. and collaboratively with art mentors led by Jackson Taylor-Grant, a Wiradjuri Any passionate young Indigenous artists and established artists. The project man and Senior Ranger with the Parks over the age of 16 can contact me at team is developing a mentoring and and Conservation Service in Canberra. the following email if they would like to tuition program that is culturally and Jackson will oversee student selection, participate in this project. geographically relevant to Canberra program development and delivery, For more information on NatureArt and its region, and will further inspire liaising with program mentors and Lab, visit www.natureartlab.com.au or and engage young Indigenous people tutors to provide a transformative email [email protected]

Namadgi-National-Park 13 ozEEnews Mar 2019 TAS Chapter Update

By Maree Bakker scats of Tasmanian native mammals featuring beautiful illustrations of the Last year AAEE TAS ran the WasteNot! 28 terrestrial native mammals. Design Prize, to encourage students Tasmanian schools can request a to design a marketable product from Flip resource for their class (PooFlip, waste. The winner, Sancia Bingham EucaFlip, TreeFlip and designed produce bags from surplus FungiFlip) by email to Biological. fabric and is now being mentored by [email protected] Bronwyn Kidd, a young Tasmanian We are very proud of two young entrepreneur who makes beeswax Tasmanians who won the National BHP wraps. Foundation Science and Engineering As reported in the last ozEEnews, Award for 2019 for developing a The Orb was released in 2018. It wearable brooch/lanyard which can is a collection of online multimedia be used by the elderly to alert health resources developed by the Tasmanian professionals via SMS in the event of a Government designed to assist the fall. teaching of Tasmanian Aboriginal On February 22 we held an histories and cultures. See www.theorb. outdoor classroom sustainability day tas.gov.au for all students at Swansea Primary, Recently announced by the conducted by AAEE Tas members. University of Tasmania was the latest In 2019 AAEE members and other in the series of Flip resources for Tassie educators and mentors will be part schools. PooFlip enables students of the Climate Leaders Conference for to identify the nocturnal Tasmanian secondary schools. This involves meeting [email protected] native mammals in their area, via early in the year, outlining actions for Our members were also involved in their ‘calling cards’ (scats). PooFlip is the year, then reporting back on these delivering PD on waste themes on 7 March a life-size photographic guide to the actions. To be involved, contact at the Sustainability Learning Centre. SA Chapter Update By Stephen Fuller BBB in the South SA’s Bringing Back the Butterflies project conducted the 5th of a series of Propagation Workshops on Saturday 9th March at the Trott Park Community Garden in Adelaide with an enthusiastic 45 community members. We had the opportunity to explain that the BBB project is a mechanism to connect with people about biodiversity and sustainability and the association’s role in supporting Education for Sustainability delivery in schools and to the broader community. Sowing seeds: demonstrating how to ‘smoke’ seeds prior to sowing as many Australian Our attentive audience listened native seeds need to be exposed to smoke to stimulate their casing to allow sprouting. to the history of EfS, the process of This replicates the adaptation to exposure to bushfires allowing the seed to germinate delivering EfS education to students after a bushfire when conditions are safe of seedlings. (including themselves) and the political dimensions of maintaining an effective butterfly gardens in schools and stages of preparing a ‘bus tour’ of several EfS program. We then set about sowing residences in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. sites for educators in the early years of seeds, propagating from cuttings and their careers. The tour will include on transplanting rooted cuttings into pots. PD for early years educators board entertainment and education This event is the precursor to establishing Our PD sub-committee is in the final sessions - maybe some singing too! 14

WA Chapter Update

Vicky Hartill delivering Turtle Watch to CCC participants

The WA Sustainable Educators Forum knowledgeable about the process. parents experience five hands-on in December 2018 heard about The WA Chapter has offered their RAP presentations. Every year we see a range of research and projects for other Chapters to review if they new schools attend and of the 22 with participants making very want to develop their own RAP. presenters some are new. This year useful contacts. In the afternoon Every January we deliver a three we have a spinning and knitting we heard from Glenn Shaw, Senior day professional learning experience group to link the story of natural Heritage Project Officer from the for up to 23 people including fibers as part of the consideration to Aboriginal Heritage. He spoke about teachers, community members, live without plastics. the complexity of finding common local government and students. The The Little Green Steps WA ground for the South West Native Catchments, Corridors and Coasts (LGSWA) has been successful in Title Settlement (SWNTS). Glenn bus takes them to visit environmental securing a small grant from the City was an open, compelling speaker sites and experience 25 programs. of Gosnells to provide workshops who encouraged all of us to take any This intense experience completes over the next four months. The work opportunities to move our workplaces the story of what the issues are in the City of Cockburn and City and organizations to developing historically and currently and who of Canning is progressing very well Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP). is out there engaging with and with many resources now available Dr Elaine Lewis shared her journey mitigating the damage of past to those local councils for their early of how she has supported the One decisions. years educators. We continue to World Centre, the AAEE WA Chapter On April 5th we continue encourage local councils to consider and her primary school to engage our successful primary school our unique early years program with and create RAP. Everyone Earth Day Expo which will see to help them meet environmental was inspired and came away more over 600 children, teachers and targets and initiatives they have set.

15 ozEEnews Mar 2019 QLD Chapter Update

Dr Eve Feisl, Kabi Kabi Elder. Source: Noosa Biosphere Reserve awareness video

Ngara (Hello in Kabi Kabi language). In this UN International Year Thank you to the many AAEE of Indigenous Languages, AAEE members, new and old, who made QLD is striving to improve our the journey to the Gold Coast for cultural capability and include #AAEE2018 – it was a fabulous local indigenous language in our success thanks to your warm work across the State. For example, enthusiasm and expertise. We are AAEE Sunshine Coast members are www.aaee.org.au/event/seaweek-2019/ looking forward to AAEE Conference involved in the SCC Kids In Action 2020 in WA already. program, Connecting to Country: The new 2019 AAEE QLD Nature’s Icons. Indigenous mentors Management Committee elected are planning activities to connect at the December AGM consists of: children to country in their local President Maggie Muurmans; catchment for the Environmental Secretary Kylie Moses; Treasurer Cam Projects Day on May 10 and at the Mackenzie; and Hilary Whitehouse KIA Conference on September 10 this as ex-officio AAEE executive year. member. Your 2019 Regional Branch AAEE QLD is also working with the Representatives, the local voice and new SEQ-based Sustainable Schools contact for AAEE around Queensland, Network to get Sustainability back on are: the agenda of all Queensland schools. • Brisbane: Amy MacDonald AAEE Members and school educators • Darling Downs: nominations requested are invited to complete the following • Gold Coast: Maggie Muurmans survey regarding current Queensland • Sunshine Coast: Kylie Moses school sustainability practice: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NL58C2G • Tropical Queensland: Ruth Zee

BOOK REVIEW Can You Find Me? Words by Patrick Shirvington Extract from a review by Julie Murphy This beautiful picture book explores Author: Gordon Winch (text), Patrick how Aussie animals use camouflage Shirvington (illus.) to hide and survive in the Australian Publisher: New Frontier Publishing bush. Mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, RRP: $24.99 (hardcover) amphibians and fish are all represented Reviewed by: Julie Murphy, The some large, some small. Each double Children’s Book Council of Australia page spread focuses on a particular animal. I feel by bringing environmental awareness This book has everything you to young children through picture books, need to captivate children 3-6 at story is a wonderful way of introducing them to time: repeating phrases, gorgeous the beauty of our earth. watercolour illustrations of a range of I have recently had a children’s Aussie animals in scenic spreads, and book published through New the fun of searching for each animal as Frontier Publishing. The result was a it blends in with its habitat. To assist collaborative project between myself children unfamiliar with some of the and well-known Children’s author, Dr animals, there’s a guide to each animal’s Gordon Winch. appearance at the back. “Can You Find Me? is The book was inspired by a moment The text on each page follows a an enchanting book for I was sitting in the bushland when I 5-line formula, and soon becomes like a suddenly noticed a stick insect, that was familiar friend. The first three lines state inquisitive early years right in front of me; but funny enough, what the animal is, its habitat, and how children who will no I hadn’t noticed. With that in mind, I the animal resembles its habitat. The then decided to illustrate a number of last two lines are always the same: doubt forever be on other little creatures that inhabit our That is why I am hard to see. the lookout for hidden local environment, asking the question, Can you find me? “can you find me?”. The repetition encourages new and creatures wherever they The following few words I have reluctant readers, and reinforces the taken from The Children’s Book Council theme of animal camouflage. may go.” of Australia, who reviewed our book, I was captivated by this book from – Romi Sharp, Boomerang Books Can You Find Me?. the moment I saw its beautiful cover.

Even the end pages are striking, with branches of native plant species set against a white background. Recommended for pre-schoolers, and as a junior science resource.”

Can You Find Me is distributed by Scholastics and is available through leading book stores and online.

Be a Reviewer We often receive books from our friends at Scribe Publications to share with members. If you’d like to offer your perspective on an available book, add your name to our list of contributors by emailing ozenews@ aaee.org.au Check out page 21 for our current book availble.

Can you find the Green Tree Frog? 17 ozEEnews Mar 2019 NSW Chapter Update Sustainable Schools Symposium: Gold Coast

The 2019 Sustainability Symposium on 13 May intends to establish partnerships for sustainability and provide relevant, engaging and inspiring professional development for school communities. We invite you to be a part of a positive, authentic and collective effort to empower our schools to be leaders in sustainability. The inaugural Sustainability Symposium held in partnership with Somerset College and the City of Gold Coast proposes to connect South East Queensland and Tweed Shire schools in understanding sustainability and commemorating or developing school sustainability programs. The Symposium day session is provided for students, whilst an evening professional development dinner for the goals. and skills, especially in recognition addresses teachers, principals and It is hoped that by building of the United Nations 17 Sustainable parents. There are three main themes: a network of interested citizens, Development Goals. developing a common language sustainability action plans can be regarding sustainability; addressing created and further enhanced, Tickets on sale now the 12th Sustainable Development community partnerships can be Location: Somerset College, Goal (responsible consumption and developed, and students will be Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast production); and building partnerships empowered to execute their ideas based Student and Adult tickets on a strong foundation of knowledge available: www.http://bit.ly/2TYS7Pp

Waste Conference: Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Harbour Waste Conference is the leading conference for the waste management industry in Australia, taking place from 14-16 May. Attracting over 630 delegates both nationally and internationally, the conference is targeted at anyone who works in or has an interest in waste management issues and is particularly relevant to local government. Attendees will benefit from hearing from leading waste management professionals on the latest developments in the industry, visiting a vast array of exhibitions by national and international companies, and networking with other ‘waste experts’ Registrations now open during the three social evenings. Register before 29th April to avoid AAEE is a proud supporter of Waste the late registration fee. Conference with all current Members Visit www.coffswasteconference. receiving a 10% discount on their com.au conference registration. Costa Georgiadis at Waste Conference 2018

AJEE: REVIEWERS INVITED

Would you like to review a book for the Australian Journal of 2 Cole, D. R. & Bradley, J. P. N. (Eds) Environmental Education? Below (2018). Principals of Transversality is a selection of books we have in Globalization and Education. that require reviewing. If a book Singapore, Springer. interests you that isn’t on our 3. Ideland, M. (2019). The Eco-certified list, let us know and we will try to Child Citizenship and Education for source it for you. Sustainability and Environment. Palgrave Studies in Education and the Environment Series. Cham, Switzerland: How it works Palgrave Pivot. Select a title of interest from the list 4. Buckles, J. (2018). Education, below, or suggest another. sustainability and the ecological Produce a 750-1500 word review within social imaginary - Connective two months. education and global change. You keep the book you successfully Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. review. Contact 5. Hunter, M.A., Aprill, A., Hill, A., & Blanche Verlie Emery, S. (2018). Education, Arts and Criteria [email protected] or Sustainability: Emerging practice [email protected] Refer to past book reviews as a point of for a Changing World. Springer reference. 6. Ramirez, F. & Santana, J. (2019). When submitting your review, include a Titles Available for Review Environmental Education and 50-100 word biography (of yourself). Ecotourism. Springer Follow the style/referencing formatting 1 Palmer. W. J. (2015). Will for AJEE contributors: Sustainability Fly? Aviation fuel 7. Palmer, G. (2019). Wildlife of the https://www.cambridge.org/core/ options in a low-carbon world. Otways and Shipwreck Coast. CSIRO services/open-access-policies Burlington: Ashgate Publishing Limited. Publishing.

AAEE Member Benefits Why join AAEE? As a member of AAEE, you receive access to the following benefits: • professional development via conferences, workshops and seminars. AAEE is Australia’s peak • the latest Australian EE & EfS research in the Australian Journal of professional body for Environmental Education • networking opportunities Environmental Educators. • up-to-date EE news through monthly e-bulletins and the ozEEnews quarterly AAEE advocates for Environmental e-newsletter Education and promotes best practice. • discounted registration at our biennial conference and events It contributes to skills development • substantial discounts on all AAEE publications among educators across the country and • participation in Special Interest Group forums internationally. • participation in State or Territory Chapters • a voice to State and Federal governments about your issues as educators. Join now, www.aaee.org.au • access to resources in our members section of our website.

19 ozEEnews Mar 2019 Your AAEE: Executive National Executive Member Profile Council The National Executive Council is represented by 8 States and Territories. The Executive is drawn from at least four Chapters/ Branches and has working groups to progress key areas of the association which are listed next to each Council Member. The Executive Team is supported by the Liaison Committee to share and update everyone about the Chapters/Branches achievements. Each Chapter/Branch has a nominated person and the contacts are listed below the Executive Council team. We welcome new members and executive team following the October 2018 AGM.

EXECUTIVE TEAM Dr John Rafferty PRESIDENT, Dr Jennifer Pearson WA AAEE Role/Title VICE PRESIDENT, Dr John Rafferty NSW Vice President VICE PRESIDENT, Graeme Sawyer NT How long have you been in the role? I was on the Executive for 18 months and VICE PRESIDENT, Cam Mackenzie QLD Vice President since the 2018 AGM. SECRETARY, Simone Blom NSW What do you do as part of your role with TREASURER, Dr Marianne Logan QLD AAEE? Supporting the President with the good governance practices with a particular focus COMMITTEE MEMBERS on developing the membership base of the Mark Caddey, Immediate Past President Association. Dr Sue Elliot, NSW What do you love about being on the AAEE Kate Keary, NSW Exec committee? Prof Hilary Whitehouse, QLD Being able to see and support all the great Dr Snowy Evans, QLD work members are doing around the country. There are so many talented and dedicated Jenny Dudgeon, TAS people doing so much good work in EE at so Angela Colliver, NSW many levels. Bren Weatherstone, Public Officer What’s one thing we wouldn’t know about you? LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS CHAPTER CONVENORS I grew up in Eden on the Far South Coast of NSW where commercial fishing and logging ACT Jodie Green ACT Vivienne Pearce dominated lifestyles and attitudes. I was fortunate to spend a significant amount of my NSW TBA NSW Jem Hansen youth in and on the Southern Ocean as well NT Jo Scott walking through old growth forests. NT Graeme Sawyer QLD Kylie Moses If you could change one thing about EE in QLD Maggie Muurrmans Australia what would it be? SA Steve Fuller (Acting) I would like EE to be so much part of our TAS Maree Bakker SA Debra Dickinson culture, society and education that we would VIC Christina Renowden not need to advocate for EE. I love to sell TAS Jenny Dudgeon raffle tickets for the Navy so they could WA Claire Braithwaite build a new ship - as opposed to constantly VIC Angela Andrews fighting for resources for something as WA Dr Jennifer Pearson important as EE.

20 Upcoming Events ozEEnews 30 March Earth Hour 8.30pm 1-2 April National Sustainability Have your story heard Conference, Brisbane Do you have a story or program you’d like to 13 May Sustainable Schools share with members? If you’re an AAEE member Symposium, Gold Coast we invite you to contribute to ozEEnews, our quarterly member newsletter. 14-16 May Waste 2019 Conference, Email your contribution or story idea to the Coffs Harbour Editor prior to the submission deadline for 22 May International Day for consideration. Biological Diversity Next submission deadline: 5 June World Environment Day “Air Pollution” 3 June 2019 2-8 September SeaWeek (national Theme: Air Pollution, in line with World awareness week) Environment Day 3-5 October NSW EE Conference: ActiveNature, Kirrawee Email: [email protected] 3-7 November WEEC: World Environmental Education Congress, Bangkok 29 Sept-2 Oct 2020 AAEE Conference 2020, WA Learning Circle Forum Recordings Catch up on our recent Waste Conference Learning Circle interactive video forums and join the 2019 conversation. 14 May 2019, Coffs Login at www.aaee.org.au Harbour then go to the Members The Coffs Harbour Waste Area. Conference is the leading conference for the waste management industry in Australia. Proudly supported by AAEE all current members Review this Book receive a 10% discount on their registration. Thanks to Scribe Publications we are looking for Register: www.coffswasteconference.com.au members to review books of interest. Reviews should be between 500-600 words and submitted for publishing in 10th World Environmental Education Congress the following issue of ozEEnews. (WEEC) 2019 The Re-Origin 3-7 November, Bangkok WEEC is an international of Species congress addressing education Author: Torill Kornfeldt for environment and What does a mammoth sustainability. WEEC 2019 will be smell like? Do dinosaurs held under the theme of Local bob their heads as they Knowledge, Communication walk, like today’s birds? Do and Global Connectivity. Group aurochs low like cows? You discounts available! may soon find out. More info: www.weec2019.org From the Siberian permafrost to balmy 34th NSW Environmental Education Conference California, scientists across 3-5 October 2019, the globe are working to Kirrawee NSW resurrect all kinds of extinct The 2019 ActiveNature animals, from ones that just conference will have 3 left us to those that have been gone for many thousands major pieces, each relating of years. It seems certain that these animals will walk the to sustainability: Learning, earth again, but what world will that give us? And is any Citizenship, and Activism. of this a good idea? Abstracts are invited and due 21 June 2019. To express your interest in reviewing a book, email More info: www.nsweeconference.org.au [email protected]