Wyndham Schools Rally Together to Fight Extinction

On Friday 4 September, 100 primary school students from Wyndham will gather at Werribee Open Range Zoo for Love Your Locals Day – an initiative that brings local students together to share ideas about wildlife conservation.

There are 8 schools participating in the program including Truganina South Primary School, Werribee Primary School, Baden Powell College P-9, Carranballac College, Point Cook College, St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Al Taqwa College and Corpus Christi Primary School.

During the event each school will present their work on sustainability and the conservation of the critically endangered, Eastern Barred Bandicoot.

The event is now in its fourth year and is a fantastic partnership between Wyndham City and Werribee Open Range Zoo. 

Wyndham City Cr, Peter Gibbons who is the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability said; "This is an important initiative and one that I am proud that our local students have the wonderful opportunity to be part of, and for them to learn about protecting native habitat and native fauna and fauna; and to make a difference by contributing to the future sustainability of Wyndham."

Prior to Love Your Locals Day, students were asked to think about their vision for the future of Wyndham and come up with ideas to help protect native species such as the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and to create smarter, greener towns. 

“When it comes to learning about endangered animals and habitats, kids tend to gravitate towards pandas, tigers and other large, exotic animals. With this event we wanted to inspire students to love their locals and to look at sustainability and wildlife conservation in their own backyard”, said Michelle Howard, Manager of Learning Experiences at Werribee Open Range Zoo. 

Once widespread across Western Victoria, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot is now considered extinct in mainland Australia, existing only in zoos and predator proof release sites. 

On Friday 4 September students will join together at Werribee Open Range Zoo to present their ideas on how to help the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and create a more sustainable city.

These presentations will be shared with schools from around the country, via Zoos Victoria’s Act Wild website, actwild.org.au. 

On the day, students will also get the opportunity explore the native grasslands at Werribee Open Range Zoo and meet one of these very precious Eastern Barred Bandicoots. They will also learn about protecting waterways with a visit to the Werribee River and create their very own green city model.

For more information visit Wyndham City Council