kallista keen to keep green

I was delighted to be able to join with the class of 2013 at Kallista Kindergarten to plant a tree in the George Tindale Memorial Garden as part of their nature kinder program.

In a wonderful agreement between the kinder and Parks Victoria, the preschoolers visit the garden every week and undertake nature based activities.

The George Tindale Memorial Gardens is one of the jewels in the Dandenong Ranges, known for it's gorgeous European influenced gardens. There's a great collection of cool climate, acid soil loving plants including magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, fuchsias and hydrangeas and dotted about the garden are some stunning sculptures.

I'm pleased to report visitors to the garden can now enjoy one of the newest plantings, an "Acer Palmatum dissectum "Raraflora", also known as a Weeping Japanese Maple, planted by the kids from Kallista Kindergarten as part of their nature program.

Due to the success of the nature program at Kallista Kinder it will be extended to both the 3 and 4 year old cohorts in 2014. It's a great story of partnership, where children get up close and personal to nature in a beautiful local setting.

patch eco garden officially open

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending the Patch Primary School’s official opening of their Eco Garden. In true Patch School tradition contingency plans for weather was required and the opening was held in the hall rather than outside near the garden.

The Patch School have done an amazing job creating their sustainable garden, environment education centre and chook house (the only one in all of Australia with a 'green roof'). All the children have contributed to the development of the space and it couldn’t have been achieved without the extraordinary vision of Michelle Rayner, the school’s environmental educator and the support of successive school councils and past principal, Michael McClare and current principal Debra Herrmann.

The children were fantastic and the celebration included performances by the Year 3 & 4 Choir singing All the World is Sacred, the Year 6s performing Solid Rock, including drumming, didgeridoo and bass guitar, 2 Year 6s performed a breathtaking instrumental consisting only of acoustic guitar and violin and the entire school sang a stirring rendition of From Little Things Big Things Grow.

Peter Kinrade, Patch School Councillor and me at the gateway to the garden. Peter showed me around the garden and the environment centre. The children, parents and teachers have built something that is from the heart, the garden is a very unique and special place to be.

The garden is part of the heart and soul of the school, the students feel a great connection with the garden and the environment. The garden has provided the students with vast range of learning opportunities including the importance of treading lightly on the earth. The Patch School should be very proud of their achievements, well done, you have set a fine example for other schools to follow. It was wonderful to be part of this special celebration in our local community.