Therese Bagnall, one of our School Support Officers, has a property in the Araluen Valley. Her husband Troy, works with a range of organisations conducting feral animal control. The property backs onto Deua National Park which was devastatingly ravaged by bushfires. The town name 'Araluen' is thought to be Aboriginal for 'place where water lilies lie'. This area was home to thousands of native birds and animals including a significant Bandicoot reserve. The area is now void of water and food. 

As a positive environmental action, St. Michael’s is endeavouring to fundraise and provide animal pellets and water stations for this remote area. The pellets are suitable for a range of native animals and are approx. $20 a bag. At the moment, the Bagnall family is attempting to feed the native animals which are dehydrated and hungry. Steve Campbell, our Maintenance Provider, has already made 3 water stations that the Year 6 Environmental leaders will paint and decorate. Two water stations will go to the Bagnall family property and one can remain here in our garden to use as a resource for teachers and students. These water stations are also essential for bird life during periods of drought. The water stations and food pellets are suitable for a variety of wildlife and recommended to alleviate scarcity of food and water.

Therese will provide us with before and after photos of the fire affected area for the students. They already have a Game Camera set up on the food they have left out, so it will be interesting to see what is eating and drinking when they go back to check.

If your family can assist, a gold coin donation can be sent to the class teacher. This would be appreciated as soon as possible. The money will pay for the water stations and buy bags of pellets. Our pellet bag target is 25. If we raise more money than required we will expand the program to neighbouring properties or donate the money to WIRES. We will keep you updated on the progress on the native animals.

Thank you!