Gabriella Vukman
Amidst the bracken and shrub along Little Yarra Road, a new sign stands tall, warning drivers to be cautious of wildlife around the area. The students of Gladysdale Primary School are to thank for this new addition.
After a Koala, subject to road kill, was found lifeless near the primary school, Gladysdale students aged five to twelve wrote persuasive letters to the council, requesting that something be done to protect the local wildlife.
Gladysdale Primary School teacher Airlie Wray said it was “really lovely” for the students.
“we weren’t sure that there’d be anything that would actually eventuate from it.”
This activism in the form of letter writing was endorsed by Gladysdale Primary’s ‘making a difference’ unit, wherein students learnt the importance of taking action and contributing not just to their own community, but to the world around them.
The letters outlining ‘why we should have wildlife signs’ amongst others campaigning for wildlife protection, were sent out to the council around April.
Ms Wray said she first spotted the new sign “a couple of weeks ago.”
“They’ve been thrilled that the signs have actually gone up and feel like they are having some impact on their local community and in general” she said of the students.
“The focus was [on] protecting the koalas and then, in turn the rest of the wildlife.”
“People are slowing down for koalas, they are slowing down for all the animals.”
Vincent, a student from the primary school’s grade five and six class said he is “glad” the school’s letters “have worked.”
“Hopefully we can make a difference.”
For the students of Gladysdale Primary School, witnessing their efforts generate change in the community has been an exciting journey and provides a great sense of achievement.
“It’s shown [the students] that it’s always worth putting in the effort…and often you will get results if you do” Ms Wray said.
