Helping the Cockatoos at Kaarakin
Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre is a specialist wildlife centre located in Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured wild native black cockatoos. It is the only facility dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of black cockatoos in Australia. Kaarakin is currently home to approximately 200 black cockatoos at various stages of rehabilitation.
They are a not-for-profit organisation, so rely on volunteers and donations as well as private tours and other fundraising events to continue their rescue and rehabilitation work.
During Implementation Day, the girls from Year 9 Kelly, undertook a large amount of gardening and cleaning to prepare the centre for visitors. We had a visit from the Dingo wild-life carers. The girls also went into the interactive bird cage, both amazing experiences.
In the weeks leading up to the visit, the girls made bird feeder toys, which they donated to the centre. They also held a cake stall and raised over $250.00 for the centre.
We asked Homeroom teacher Meg Anderson how the girls came up with this for their Strive9 project. “Initially, the girls wanted a project to support animals. When I joined them as their Homeroom teacher at the start of this term, they didn’t really have a project. I remembered that one of our staff, Melissa Marshall, was closely involved with Kaarakin, so we invited her to talk to the girls. This inspired their desire to do something for this worthy cause.” She said.
The girls were very interested and really enjoyed the chance to learn more and interact with the animals in between their service efforts at Kaarakin. Feedback regarding the girls from the Kaarakin staff and Melissa has been outstanding, and as a consequence, they and other students from the school would be welcomed back to support in this way.
Our experience has raised awareness in the girls about the important work in the wildlife volunteering sphere and is something they can venture back into after their secondary schooling.
What A Term! So Many Opportunities – Jennifer Oaten
As I look back on the past nine weeks, I am so grateful for who we are as a community and what we have achieved. Through the dedication of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students, we have established new connections, immersed ourselves in opportunities and worked through challenges.
From the President: April 2024
President Gemma Varone, welcomes you to the April edition of the OGA Blog.
The Holiest Time of the Year
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, signalling the conclusion of Lent and ushering us into the holiest time of the year.
- Collaboration, Compassion, Featured, Learning4Life, Respect, Stewardship
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.