Gould League

Our new classroom helpers have taken time out from their busy schedules to bring you this message. Happy World Environment Day!!
Meet our Common Huntsman (actually a huntswoman really), our Spiny Leaf Stick Insects, our Giant Burrowing Cockroach and our Rainforest Scorpion. All are native to Australia.
At Gould League we have included these in our Minibeast Safari (Kinder), Living Connections (P - Gr2) and Natural Links (Gr 3 - 4) incursions and excursions so we can have great discussions on lifecycles, diets, body parts, classification, roles in their environment and adaptations. But most importantly we have brought them in to break down the stigmas around some of our minibeasts and to highlight that all bugs play an important role in our habitats and what we can do to make sure we don't lose them.
If you are interested in meeting them you can do so via booking through our website www.gould.org.au.

Happy World Bicycle Day! As well as connecting to your environment and reducing carbon emissions, you also improve your physical and mental health. Such a cheap and fun way to make a big difference.

It's World Bicycle Day! 🚲 Bike riding offers transport that’s sustainable, affordable, time-efficient and healthy.

Transport is Australia’s fastest-growing source of climate pollution, contributing more than 22% of our national total.

To secure a safe and healthy future, we need to halve transport pollution by 2030 by shifting the way we get around - and bikes are part of the solution!

Welcome to Bullarto Dumbalk. As we finish off Reconciliation week we share this wonderful resource that strengthens our knowledge of indigenous seasons and connects us to Bunurong language.
A great opportunity to create connections for students to what is happening in their local environment.

BULLARTO DUMBALK (plenty winter) is here. Days are short, nights are long. WYEEBOO LARK(low,thin mist) falls over the tops of the tall trees,the temperature is low. BELLIN(Kurrawong) tells his story, he is the guardian of the CABBIN(cold) you will hear him bringing the frost on his breathe and in his call. Bunurong people have settled into warm sheltered MYA’MYA,s(houses). WILLUMS(camps) are either inside rock caves or in clearings amongst the woodlands. The BEEK(country)near the rivers and creeks is often flooded now, the lowlands wet and cold,MOORNMOOT(wind) blows in strong from the south, because of this WILLUMS(camps) are built amongst the shelter of KORAN’WARNAMBUL(the Dandenong Ranges) Food is no longer gathered from the WARRAIN(ocean) now but instead hunted from the land. KOIM(kangaroo) is fat, now is a good time to hunt, nothing is wasted. Small animals are snared, yams are harvested along with bush onions,BAMBRA(mushrooms) and the delicious fruit of the BALLART(native cherry). Winter orchids are everywhere . A lot of time is spent around the WEENTH(fire).WEEYUKABUL(Elders/old people) use this time to teach. There are important lessons in BEENAK(basket) weaving, artefact and tool manufacture and cloaks from KOIM(kangaroo) are stitched together and used for warmth. In the animal kingdom we see BIRRITH BIRRITH(masked plover) begin to build their nests, WARREN(wombat) is emerging and can be seen fattening up on the tussock grass as well as dry leaves and BAMBRA(mushrooms) BATH’MUN(wood duck) can be seen on the lakes and Powerful Owl is now nesting in the old large hollows amongst the forest trees. WAAKI(crow) often solitary can be seen flying in pairs now. Many animals are pairing up,preparing for DUMBALK(winter) and breeding season. Look to the TUTBYRUM(stars)we are coming into the constellation of BUNJIL(Eagle)-Aquila. It is the time to sit still, take in the DUMBALK sounds,look up to the BOORURN(sky) to see MEENIYAN(moon) so close now. It is the season of Family. This is an exert from my book Kulin Tales, find my book by following the link in my bio or in the comments♥️

World Environment Day is next week. Each day we will share information that can help in your discussions with students about how they can help understand environmental issues they are facing.
Here is a great article about plastics recycling written for kids.

Curious Kids: why can some plastics be recycled but others can’t? Whether we can recycle plastic or not depends on what it’s made of (because there are many different types of plastic), if it’s sufficiently clean and if enough people will buy recycled products.

Hooray for National Volunteers Week 2024. This week our Volunteer Coordinator Greta was on site at the Bayside City Council's Volunteer showcase to highlight all the great new roles we have available this year.
The theme for is "Something for Everyone". This year we have roles for all experiences and abilities. Gould League prides itself on working with diverse members of the community whether they are parents taking a break from work, retired school teachers, tertiary students, part time workers, or skilled unemployed. Not all our work needs to be on site either, with some able to be done from home.
Our current roles can be found on our bio but we are happy to discuss whether you have other ways you would like to contribute. Feel free to email Greta at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Happy World Bee Day! How well do you know your bee facts? Take this little quiz to find out.

Test your bee knowledge with this quiz, the perfect way to celebrate World Bee Day 2024.

Take the quiz at wheenbeefoundation.org.au/quiz

This year we were very proud to run 4 FREE teacher PDs across all our sites. These PDs were aimed for educators of Kinder through to Year 12 and in total we met with nearly 140 educators who came because they are passionate about shaping their students environmental learning for a positive future.
Our manager Anne Maree McInerney lead the way for all groups and we were supported with the help of our educators Rebecca Ceveri, Hakan Dellal, and Jane Petch for also presenting, as well as Harry Briedahl, a former educator who returned to present as well. Thanks also to our other educators; Tia, Majella, Noemi, Bronwyn, Romy, Juliet, Finn and Izzy in running and assisting activities, and a huge thanks to Iris, our volunteer who helped out too. It was an incredible achievement to have all PDs work out so successfully. And amazingly the weather was superb for each event. The weather gods really looked after us each time.
A very special thanks to for their financial support and for Linda Baird, CEO of Eucalypt Australia for attending. We were also honoured to have Beth and Campbell from join us and provide goodies for the teachers. And also a big thanks for the for allowing us to use your meeting room for the Toolangi PD.
Please see photos below of our PDs in action. While we don't have any future free PDs planned as yet for this year, we are running the same Toolangi PD again through the GTAV conference field trips in August. Charges apply, registration is through https://www.gtav.asn.au/professional-learning/professional-learning. Be quick to book though as places will fill fast for this.

Don't miss out on your opportunity to have your say!

Looks like we've got an extra week to submit survey responses. We've been urged to double our efforts, so let's make the most of it. The survey is straightforward, just follow the prompts and emphasize your desire for a park, along with any other points of interest. Let's get started! And please share with friends and family who haven’t had a chance to enter their views. 🌳♥️

https://engage.vic.gov.au/central-highlands-forests

Don't miss out on this FREE teacher PD coming up soon on Thursday 2nd May. A perfect opportunity to get outdoors in the stunning surrounds of Toolangi State Forest and experience the value of fresh air and open spaces for your health and wellbeing.
This is an event tailored to educators for students from Grade 3 to Year 12 wanting to find out about the power of forest immersion excursions in teaching real world issues for the environment. You don't have to be school teacher to attend, we welcome all educators working with students in this area.
The day will include workshops lead by industry experts, a tour through the forest to discuss elements of our programs, and a session to brush up your practical field work skills such as measuring carbon in a tree, doing transects and more.
Join us for a full day of immersion in the beautiful surrounds of Toolangi State Forest, breathing in the beautiful crisp forest air. We will even provide lunch!
Special thanks to for their support to run this event.
For more information and how to book please go to
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-forest-teacher-pd-for-science-and-geography-teachers-by-gould-league-tickets-784740238177

FREE Forest Teacher PD for Science and Geography Teachers by Gould League Join us in a forest immersion at Toolangi State Forest to discover how Gould League educates teachers and students for a positive future.

We are very excited for the staff and students of Mother Teresa PS who made this great discovery during their Gould League Fire and Forest Excursion yesterday. They were very fortunate to find a Land Yabby/ Land Crayfish (Engaeus affinis). Naturally feisty by nature, they usually sit deep in their burrows 20 - 60cm underground. But if there is disturbance the males will come out to investigate. Our staff usually see lots of evidence of their activity but to see one out in the open is a very rare treat!
This exciting find was made by teacher Melanie, principal Amy, parent helper Mark and year 5 students Shannel and Isabella. Well done! Thanks to Mark Tully and the school community for sharing the photo with us.

Have you voted for the Eucalypt of the Year yet?
Time is running out, and there are some koala-ty trees in there!
Trust me 🐨
Vote now: https://www.eucalyptaustralia.org.au/eucalypt-of-the-year-2024/

🌿This year, the competition focuses on ten species that are great choices for our cities, suburbs and towns.
❗Voting closes this Wednesday, 20th March at 11:59 PM AWST!
🎉 The Eucalypt of the Year will be announced this Saturday, on National Eucalypt Day.

Thanks to Graeme for sharing a photo of the nest boxes he has been building for the Traralgon Railway Reservoir Conservation Reserve . He is one of the local volunteers working hard to change this old railway reservoir (formally providing water for steam trains) into a conservation reserve for wildlife.
As a former childhood member of Gould League he reached out to access our PDF.
Together with the local woodcraft group, they are using local Cyprus timber to create boxes to suit small and large birds. These will be spread throughout the reserve in suitable established trees.
As a small community group, Graeme received this PDF for free. If you are part of a community group looking for templates for nest boxes, get in contact with us at [email protected] to gain access to this PDF.

UPDATE: New date for our Toolangi PD - it has now been moved to Thursday 2nd May. Come and spend a full day of forest immersion with us in the beauty of Waring season (Autumn) when lyrebirds are active, fungi are sprouting, and the forest smells super fresh. See how a day in the forest will benefit your students and yourself.

Places are filling fast for our other PDs too. So don't miss out. The Kinder PD on February 26th has only a few places remaining!

4 teacher PDs at all 3 of our locations. All FREE. For 3 &4 year old Kinder teachers right through to Year 12.
We are passionate and committed in helping educators feel prepared to support their students sustainability education. By supporting educators we will strengthen students problem solving and resilience to the many environmental issues that are facing us today.
Enjoy a day outside, out of the classroom, with expert presenters and like-minded peers. We will even provide lunch!
Go to our Eventbrite page for all listings https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/gould-league-43717252513.
Book now to avoid missing out, as places are limited. We look forward to seeing you there!

Gould League Gould League is Australiaoldestenvironmental charityestablished in 1909that has had a long, heartfelt, and enduring association withmillionsof Victorian school students. We are an independent not-for-profit organisation that helps teachers to reinforce the impact of their science, geography and sust...

Smiles all round after an incredible 3 weeks doing our Sand Safari school holiday program at Ricketts Point. We've had nearly all hands on deck these last few weeks but today Bronwyn, Tia, Bec and Linda facilitated the last big day with nearly 100 kids from multiple Theircare school holiday groups coming down for the most perfect day by the sea. Well done to all the students who made it down, and a big congrats to all our educators for making their holidays so much fun!
Gould League runs school holiday programs across all our sites and can run incursions too, so get in touch if you have a school holiday group, scouts or other community centre interested.

A lovely summer read about the power of childhood curiosity and how it can lead to answering big questions that many people are wondering about.

Feel targeted by magpies? This eight-year-old's viral research could explain why Emma Glenfield wants to know why magpies swoop. She's conducting some cutting-edge research — and displaying her results with Lego.

Don't miss out on your opportunity to join our team for 2024!
We are looking for experienced educators to work at our 3 unique sites - our Cheltenham Sustainability Education Centre, Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and Toolangi State Forest.
This is a role that suits people from all walks of life including students or post graduates, parents transitioning back to the workforce, teachers taking time off from full time work or people looking to add to other part time work.

Gould League Sessional Environmental Educators should be:
* Appropriately qualified and/or experienced i.e. Tertiary qualification in Science/Environment/ Geography/ Conservation/Education or equivalent work experience.
* Highly effective and confident educators, who utilise a variety of strategies to engage students and address visiting teacher needs
* Knowledgeable and positive about the environment and sustainable practices.
Combine your love of teaching and experience in nature while inspiring the next generation of eco-warriors and scientists.
Click here for more details: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/.../environmental-educator...

Sending out a big THANKS to all the early childhood centres, schools, school holiday providers, libraries, community groups, teachers, members and volunteers who supported us this year. It has been a magnificent year filled with lots of education adventures.
We also give special thanks to and Eucalypt Australia for their additional support this year with for our school programs and free Teacher PDs.
Next year is already looking promising and we can't wait to share what is happening so stay tuned!
Wishing all our followers out there a Happy New Year! Bring on 2024! ☀️🎆🎉🏖

This app is great for helping identify your Christmas Beetles. Follow
Invertebrates Australia for updates on the count.

Looking for an adventure this weekend? Why not find Christmas Beetles?

Identify the beetles you find and learn more about beetle anatomy and taxonomy with our illustrated glossaries on the AM site:

https://australian.museum/learn/collections/natural-science/entomology/christmas-beetles/

Image: Stanley Breeden

Don't miss out on early bird prices. We look forward to seeing you there!

🌿Learning for Sustainability Conference Early Bird Tickets closing soon! - https://mailchi.mp/0200c56cc7cc/easl-in-april-6161496

We were pretty chuffed that we were invited to be a part of two action packed events on the weekend to celebrate . First we shared Friday evening the the Brighton Beach Nippers to discuss the treasures of Port Phillip Bay and how to help protect it from waste.
Then on Saturday we travelled to the newly rebuilt Altona Meadows Library and Stem Centre for their huge National Recycling Week community day. There we showcased our Oceans of the Future VR experience and challenged families to guess how long rubbish breaks down in the ocean.
Thanks to .slsc and for the great weekend!
If you are interested in Gould League helping with one of your community events we would love to hear from you. Email Greta at [email protected].

I'm loving the innovation in Wind Power - all the more reason we need to keep sustainability front and centre of school curriculum as it's the kids to today that will create the success stories of tomorrow!

Bill Gates backs novel device promising wind energy at 1/3 the cost It looks nothing like a typical "fan on a stick" wind turbine, but this oval track with evenly spaced wing blades could be an enormously disruptive addition to the renewable energy mix, since it slashes the cost of wind power to unprecedented lows.

Today we celebrated World Teachers Day with our free teacher PD and open day at our Cheltenham Sustainability Centre thanks to Maddocks. A lovely day with educators from across Melbourne. Thanks to Anne Maree for leading the PD and help from our educators Majella, Bronwyn and Noemi with leading the tours and VR experience.
It's not too late to register for our next free primary and secondary PD at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary on November 29th. Links to this event can be found in our bio. Hope to see you there!

The weather could not have been more perfect this week for a solid week of Ricketts Point bookings for students of all ages.
Yesterday we hosted the very lovely Hampton Park PS, our last school to benefit from the Maddocks Foundation Grant.
It was an action packed day of rockpool exploration, beach games, bush treasure hunting, and using senses to discover shapes, texture and function of beach specimens.
A gorgeous quote from one student "How could you say nature is boring when you can look in a rockpool and see sea snails moving?". Exactly. We fully agree.