Schools Project for National Threatened Species Day

 National Threatened Species Day was established in 1996 by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust to commemorate the death of the last Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) at Hobart Zoo.

CARE “Concerned Artists Resisting Extinction”, in partnership with Wellington and East Gippsland Shires, are endeavouring to make this day somewhat more than just a fleeting day on the calendar.

This year, in the lead up to Wednesday 7^th September, schools in the Wellington Shire are invited to participate in several ways:

• Joining a collaborative art project creating an outdoor installation featuring locally threatened species. Participating students will paint a small wooden threatened species cut-out provided by local arts group, CARE. These will be collected from schools on Monday 5^th September and added to mass displays at Lake Guyatt and other locations around Wellington to be viewed on 7^th Packs including full instructions will be distributed from 22nd July.

 There will be almost 400 cut-outs created across Wellington so we are looking forward to a spectacular display. This project could be completed in Art lessons, in classrooms or as a special activity. Please contact Dawn Stubbs or Sharon Ray with the number of species cut-outs you would like.

• Enter a writing competition inspired by this image of the Biodiverse sculpture from Lake Guthridge. This thought-provoking piece by renowned artist Joel Gailer and Electra McClellan-Greene was installed at lake Guthridge in 2022 as part of a project by Bug Blitz.

Essays from Primary and Secondary students should address themes of biodiversity and extinction.

Word limits are 500 words for Primary students and 1,000 words for Secondary students. Entries will be judged to receive cash and other prizes and be shared with the community at events on the day.

Entries close on Tuesday 30^th August.

• Hold a fundraiser to support this project and the Zoos Victoria Conservation Projects. Suggestions include a lunchtime art activity where students donate a gold coin to paint a threatened species, a school community arts afternoon or simply just a casual day.

We really look forward to students participating in this special event and raising awareness about species extinction in Gippsland. Please contact the organisers below for any further information.

Sharon Ray 0429 172 889 sharonr@wellington.vic.gov.au

Dawn Stubbs 0403034337 gallery@australianwildlifeart.com