School wetlands are openedMembers of the Warburton Primary School community, and the wider

By Kath Gannaway
A PREVIOUSLY unusable area of land at Warburton Primary School has been transformed into wetlands.
The project, officially opened last month, is already providing a habitat for frogs and other wildlife.
Principal Kerri Jorgensen said the project started with an informal conversation at a community meeting attended by a local resident, Bruce Normand, who embraced the idea of a wetlands.
“Bruce and another wonderful worker, Griff Ward, just ran with it and have virtually done the whole project, consulting with me, enlisting the help of parents where large work was involved, and getting the kids to work with them on planting,” she said.
“The Warburton Bank gave a grant of more than $3000 towards the project which was fabulous.
We have just had so much help from them.”
Mr Normand described the project as being “quite outstanding” for the school.
He said the area was covered in blackberries and other weeds, but through a tremendous community effort was now an asset to the community.
The wetlands is designed to fill with storm water from the school to conserve water.
The plants were chosen to attract honeyeaters as well as other native birds, and butterflies.
Mr Normand commended the many community groups and individuals, including the children, who contributed to the project.
The school presented framed photographs of the wetlands to Mr Normand and Mr Ward and to the Bendigo Bank as part of the official opening ceremony.