Arbor Day Flinders Award

South Johnstone State School has won the 2002 Queensland Arbor Day Flinders Award. "The awards celebrate achievements by inspiring individuals and groups in our community," said Julie Olsen, Awards Coordinator for the Spade and Shade Committee. The Flinders Award is a new award marking the Bicentenary of Matthew Flinders' circumnavigation of Australia in the Investigator, and the work of the ship's botanist Robert Brown who collected a wealth of information on the natural history of Australia, including 1700 plant specimens which were previously unknown to western science. The Flinders Award recognises the cooperative work of schools and local government and/or community groups in seed collection, propagation and tree planting with particular reference to inclusion of species connected with the voyage. For the past four years, students at South Johnstone State School have been busy weeding and planting native trees along the banks of the South Johnstone River, their school grounds and local creek. They hope to improve water quality and reduce the threats of erosion and pollution. "Hundreds of local trees have been planted," said Ms Olsen. "Amongst them are species that were collected during the voyage of Matthew Flinders." Environmental themes have been integrated into all curriculum areas and students are encouraged to work with local farmers and landowners, businesses, Council, community groups, Green Corps and Waterwatch. Substantial support is provided by the Johnstone Shire Community Revegetation Unit. The awards are coordinated by The Spade and Shade Committee, a group made up of representatives from Greening Australia, Men of the Trees, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane City Council, Queensland Cancer Fund and Queensland Health. For more information on the awards, transfer to the Spade and Shade website.

Last updated 13 October 2006. For more information email admin@rgsq.org.au   Return to home