By Tate Papworth
Pupils from St Theresa’s Primary School in Albion got their hands dirty for a good cause recently.
The pupils partnered with Friends of Kororoit Creek and Melbourne Water to reinvigorate a section of the creek.
They spent a morning planting a total of 500 trees, shrubs and wildflowers, taking on responsibility for improving and regenerating their adopted patch of land.
Friends of Kororoit Creek member Natalie Everett, who has two children who attend the school, said it was a good opportunity for the pupils to get their hands dirty.
“It was great to see the students get into the earth and really get excited about what they were doing,” Ms Everett said.
“One student mentioned after the planting that they had never participated in something so important for the environment, which was really great to hear.”
The day was made possible after the school received a $3000 grant from Melbourne Water.
“The day was a tremendous success and we certainly intend to apply for the grant again,” Ms Everett said.
“In the meantime, kids will continue to monitor the section and see how the plants and wildlife are going.
“The students also plan to do some artwork down there since the area makes for nice drawings and sketches.”
Pupils were also given a brief history lesson of the land.
Sunshine resident Ralph Phillips brought a picture showing what the surrounding area of Kororoit Creek looked like in 1934 when it was barren land.
