The students, staff members and Native Fish Australia representatives involved in St Mary’s College’s Murray River Rainbowfish program took part in a presentation on the initiative on Friday, August 8. Photo: Billie Davern.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Things got fishy at St Mary’s College on Friday, August 8, as an exciting initiative was celebrated at the school.
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Over the past year, St Mary’s has embarked on a special project: saving the Murray River rainbowfish, and the school’s efforts were acknowledged during a presentation on campus.
The species, currently listed as vulnerable, is an uncommon target of grant funding and conservation efforts as a result of its small size.
However, the rainbowfish is imperative to the ecosystem of our waterways, including the Goulburn River, which neighbours St Mary’s College.
A partnership between the school and Native Fish Australia, a volunteer organisation dedicated to protecting the country’s native freshwater fish and their habitat, has led to the beginning of an engaging aquaculture program at the school.
The program involves the Year 10 Ignite students, who have led the hatching, breeding and care of the fish.
St Mary’s College staff member Rebecca Scollen said it had been a wonderful, holistic learning experience for the students.
“It’s been a perfect opportunity for project management, life skills, development and so on,” Ms Scollen said.
“You can see the pride they took in it today. The fact that students who have left the school have come back to see the presentation is just fantastic. I’m so proud of the effort everyone has put in.
“They dug the holes, they poured the concrete, they set up the filter system — they did everything.
“It’s the beginning of, hopefully, a long partnership with Native Fish Australia and catchment management authorities in the region and it’s great to see St Mary’s making a big difference to our natural environment.”
Native Fish Australia’s Jayne Burton, St Mary’s College staff members Sophia Dal Lago and Rebecca Scollen, Native Fish Australia’s Tim Curmi, St Mary’s College principal Wayne Smith and Father Eugene Ashkar celebrate the Murray River Rainbowfish program at the vats on campus. Photo: Billie Davern.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Native Fish Australia’s Tim Curmi and Jayne Burton attended the presentation.
They agreed the program was not only a fantastic educational experience for the students, but it also raised awareness about the vulnerable species and the important role it played in our waterways.
“They all learnt by doing things, it’s hands-on,” Mr Curmi said.
“Every kid is different, but most of them shine to it enormously.”
Another key aspect of the program is its connection to the college’s sister school in Indonesia.
Students taking Indonesian at St Mary’s College were provided the opportunity to present on the project, developing their speaking skills in the language, while also educating the sister school’s students, who were on Zoom during the presentation.
St Mary’s College principal Wayne Smith said it was an all-round amazing initiative.
“St Mary’s College is so close to the Goulburn River and I believe it is wonderful that our students have some sort of curriculum connected to it,” Mr Smith said.
“By getting involved with Native Fish Australia, who are very passionate about the waterways, we have an opportunity for our students to learn so much about the environmental aspects of rivers and all that’s contained within.
“To have the vats set up, to grow the fish, is a wonderful education experience and I always think these opportunities lead to careers in the sciences.
“Not only that, we’re linking with our sister school in Indonesia, which is just beautiful, and they’re doing a project over there. It’s been a really fantastic opportunity.”
The Murray River rainbowfish now have a home at St Mary’s College and are set for release back into the waterways at some point next year.
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