Introducing our Bushfire theme within the Natural Disasters unit, the Year 5/6 students welcomed CFA volunteers to describe and contrast the fatal 1983 Ash Wednesday fires and the 2018 St Patrick’s Day fires to improve their bushfire awareness. John Mahony (Allansford CFA) and Kelvin Boyle (Naringal CFA) outlined the weather conditions, point of origin, fire fighting procedures, wind change and fatal consequences that they experienced during the Ash Wednesday fires. They described the way the community rallied after the event to support those impacted and the improvements that were made to fire trucks, fire fighting uniforms, communications and warning systems. The current Year 5/6 students learnt that the 2017 Year 5/6 student cohort then made up fire evacuation plans with their families, produced posters and introduced bushfire awareness to their peers at TAP’s On! 2017 with the Timboon CFA. Katy Millard (Port Campbell CFA) and Clyde Bassett (Timboon CFA) recalled the climatic conditions that lead to the 2018 St Patrick’s Day fires in our region only 4 months later. They described the causes, use of the Vic Emergency App, the role of the CFA and the community response to the natural disaster which included community meetings, informal BBQs, Blazeaid volunteers, donations of food, clothing and money. Students had the opportunity to try on the fire fighting gear, examine scrapbooks and newspaper articles describing the events and trial the Mount Warrnambool fire tower map and the fire access drill kit. These students will be tasked to develop a fire and evacuation plan with their families and have already created pillowcases as part of the Red Cross Pillowcase Project in readiness for the 2023 fire season. As part of their investigation of various animal production systems, our Year 9/10 AgHort students hosted Greg Clarke, and friends, from Great Ocean Ducks. The class were introduced to the uniqueness of the business by an article written for the Weekly Times by Greg as the ‘Duckman’ about the Clarkes’ initial foray into this niche market. Despite their 40 acre allotment, Greg and Jodi had little experience in agriculture but knew that they wanted to be farmers, so they explored unique food staples, that weren’t fads, but had a point of difference. Deciding on ducks, they secured markets for their product with respected chefs, set their own price and determined that the ducks would be pasture based and free range, but fed fruit, unlike their competition. Starting with 30 ducklings the business has now evolved with 1400 Aylesbury ducks on farm that are reared for 14 weeks with animal health and welfare a priority. Greg explained that this goal of rearing happy, free range ducks that could eat grass, snails, worms, wheat, apples and strawberries whilst walking from the paddocks helps build flavour in the birds. The Clarkes have published the ‘Just Duck’ cook book with recipes contributed by some of the chefs from top end restaurants who buy their produce. Students heard about the various cuts, cooking methods and the importance of value adding to an already quality product with the inclusion of duck ham, salami and charcuterie into the product range. The class were then introduced to two of Greg’s ducks and two lucky class members were gifted copies of the ‘Just Duck’ book. A wonderful example of thinking outside the square and a local, innovative agribusiness. Thanks Greg! Inspired by the background provided by Kate, Dean, Barb, Gene and Michelle during their recent field trip to the Curdies estuary, our Year 9 Humanities students began recording and collecting stories about the people who reside in the Curdies River catchment area. Students were transported back in time as they heard tales from Ian, Pam, Dean, Annie, Helen, Anne, and Roy about the waterway while Steven Mueller from Fishsticks described the role of Blackfish in this delicate ecosystem. Thank you to CRCA for this opportunity to be a part of recording our local history and we encourage others to contact Kate at HDLN to share your recollections with our students. To commence their studies of Natural Disasters and learn how volcanoes have impacted in our region, the Year 5/6 students undertook a field trip to climb Mt Leura and Mt Noorat. The day was facilitated by members of the Mt Leura Committee of Management and the Friends of Mt Leura who hosted students at the Mt Leura Information Centre. Graham Arkinstall explained that Mt Leura was part of large volcanic complex known as Leura Maar which was formed 10,000-40,000 years ago. He described the way the landscape had evolved over time from an inland ocean and that over 35,000 years ago megaflora disappeared from the volcanic plains due to reason unknown. At Mt Noorat students learnt about local author of “I can jump puddles”, Alan Marshall, and they explored the crater and surrounds. From the crest of both Mt Leura and Mt Noorat students could observe the fertile soils that have contributed much to the agricultural enterprises in our region and compare different sorts of rocks, plants and land formations in the landscape. Thanks Graham and Greg Our wonderful community has responded when we asked for volunteers to recount their stories of living and working in the Curdies Catchment area for our Year 9 Humanities unit. Through social media people have contacted the School about other publications that students can use as resources or background for the 2023 Curdies Stories publication. We are grateful to Bob Hesketh and the Peterborough Golf Club for their donation of Michael Moore’s publication "Peterborough - Please slow down" and John Craven’s "The Conquerors" that features stories on Rebecca Joyce who used the Curdies River for part of her training to win a Rowing World Championship and Geelong footballer Paul Couch who learnt to swim in the Curdies River with a rope tied to his waist. Anne Wilkinson has also generously provided 2 copies of reprints of J.M. McKenzie’s book, “My Grandmother’s Story" Continuing their investigation of animal production systems and agribusinesses in our region, the Year 9/10 AgHort class hosted Matt Bowker, who, with his wife Sophie, own and operate Kangaroobie Meats and Kangaroobie Camp. The farm was established in 1860 and, as a 6th generation farmer, Matt now runs 900 head of Angus beef that are crossed with Simmental bulls and introduced their grass fed system that turns off animals with an anticipated growth rate of 1kg a day. He discussed the pros and cons of grain vs grass fed beef referring to genetics, costs, savings, consistency of product, weight gain, taste, health advantages, animal welfare and consumers’ interest in the paddock to plate journey of their food. An online ordering system means that the Bowkers can maximize primary cuts, deliver locally and to to a central point in Melbourne and surrounds on their monthly delivery runs. The secondary cuts are made into sausages, mince and roasts which feature in many of the school meals at the Kangaroobie Camp which was established in 1978 by Matt’s parents. The camp, which features adventure and farm activities, hosts schools, including Timboon P-12 Year 3/4 students, and family or social events such as parties or weddings. Matt outlined the marketing and logistics involved in producing a premium product and the importance of constantly improving and working in an environmentally aware and sustainable business. Using a beef cut chart, and a student volunteer, Matt explained the origin, purpose, taste, value and preparation of various cuts before a BBQ challenge required students to differentiate between the taste, texture and flavour of a rump steak, tenderloin eye fillet and porterhouse steak. Challenge very gratefully accepted, thanks Matt! To contextualize the Curdies Stories project for our Year 9 Humanities students, we undertook a field trip to the Curdies estuary at Peterborough to help our students get a sense of time and place as they prepare to record and publish the oral histories of people who live, work and relax in the Curdies River catchment area. Kate Leslie, from Heytesbury and District Landcare Network (HDLN), introduced the project by recalling the recent algal blooms, fish kills and stock deaths that lead to the formation of the Curdies River Catchment Alliance (CRCA) to advocate for the health of the Curdies. The idea of collecting and recalling peoples’ stories of the Curdies evolved and we invited Barb Mullen and Dean Drayton from CRCA and Gene Gardiner from Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) to provide their perspectives of this vital waterway. Barb familiarized students with the Curdies River ecosystem, described the EPBC list (extinct, critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable) explaining that the Curdies estuary itself is on that list. She described the layers of water in the estuary; ecosystems in one big ecosystem, vulnerable species like the Yarra Pygmy Perch, platypus, local birdlife and the CASS soils around the estuary. Dean recalled stories from his childhood growing up on the Curdies near Timboon, the impact of land clearing on the Heytesbury settlement, subsequent revegetation efforts, and how wildlife like wallabies, the Powerful Owl, eagles, Black Fish and platypus interact with the waterways. Gene provided maps, data and photos that recorded the impact of land clearing, erosion, nutrient loading, flooding events and previous regenerative attempts like willow trees and then proposed solutions such as vegetive soaks, fencing off waterways, stopping new nutrients entering the system, selective land clearing with replanting or revegetation measures. He described the process of artifically opening the Curdies River mouth and the checks and balances that were in place to lesson impacts to the social, economic and environmental values of the estuary. Students were left with the realisation that the Curdies River catchment area is like the lungs of this sensitive ecosystem breathing life into the land around it. Equipped with a better understanding of the science of the Curdies catchment it will help us to better manage and protect this fragile bionetwork.Thanks Kate, Barb, Dean, Gene and Michelle, can’t wait to read the stories the students collect! Our Year 7 students welcomed their calves, Ivy and Buttercup, to Timboon P-12 School for the next three weeks where the calves’ health and growth will be monitored as part of their Cows Create Careers (CCC) project. The two Jersey calves are on loan from dairy farmer and ex student, Peter Fulton, who provided pinechip as bedding and helped the students finalize setting up the calf pen. After the calves were introduced to their new home, Peter and Mrs Dennis outlined the roster and feeding regime required for the calves that included feeding calf meal, milk powder and hay and the importance of keeping the calves’ bedding clean. Peter reinforced Zoe’s messaging around a consistent feeding regime and demonstrated how to use a weigh band to record the calves’ weight. We would like to acknowledge the support of our sponsors including Deanne and John from Jaydee Events who helped facilitate the donation of 2 bags of premium Milk Powder from Maxum Foods and a bag of Calf Meal from Reid Stockfeeds. Thanks also to Charlie and Ms Allan who prepared the calves’ housing and pen. A highlight of the many career investigation opportunities the students at Timboon P-12 School are provided with was the recent Neil Porter Legacy (NPL) trip to the Trades Fit Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. This allowed 34 of our students from Years 9 – 12 to explore careers in the trade and tech industries with 88 female students from South West Victoria taking part in hands-on activities, watching demonstrations and hearing from females who work in traditionally male-dominated industries. The students were able to discover career pathways in industries including building, electrical, automotive, aviation, plumbing, marine, mining, robotics, clean energy, gaming and many more. It's great to see eyes widen to the possibility of young females entering the trade and technology industry. Thanks to Matt Porter, NPL, the staff and students from Emmanuel College, Timboon P-12, Cobden TEch, Brauer College and Warrnambool College for getting involved and to Beyond the Bell Great South Coast and the Dept of Education, Victoria for such a valuable opportunity – you can’t be what you don’t see! The Year 9/10 AgHort class welcomed Dr Andrew Pegg, from The Vet Group, (TVG) into the classroom to learn about Australia’s animal production industries; systems, animal health, welfare, freedoms, handling systems and biosecurity. He outlined his career path from a dairy in Elingamite where he knew he’d be a vet when he was 5 years old, through to university and a position with TVG in Timboon. Andrew outlined the main food and fibre production industries in Australia and compared the pros and cons of Intensive Vs Extensive systems. A fox in the hen house game was used to demonstrate that issues can arise, regardless of the system. The 5 Freedoms were introduced and used to assess different enterprises including dairy, beef, sheep and poultry with industry specific problems discussed. Andrew stressed the importance of understanding animal behaviour and cited the work of animal behaviourist Temple Grandin in designing world recognized animal handling systems. Acknowledging the importance of biosecurity and the need to reduce the risk of disease transmission, we informed students that the wrapped chocolates they were rewarded with when they participated and answered questions had been sprinkled with detergent. Under a UV light the class could see how potential pathogens and diseases can spread through a population. Great session Andrew! |
Archives
April 2024
|