The Bush Rangers Program at Rockingham SHS Education Support Centre is providing exciting opportunities for students. Cadets are learning about their environment and how to protect it, training in first aid, bush craft and survival, navigation, radio communication, teamwork, leadership, initiative and problem solving. These are just some of the exciting learning opportunities they get to experience. As you will see below, to date they have been extremely productive and busy. Please visit our photo gallery for Bush Rangers Semester 1 2017
New Uniforms
In 2017 we have introduced new uniforms. Each Ranger has been issued with a polo shirt and hat. Over the next couple of weeks Rangers will be issued their winter jackets.
Semester 1 2017 – Year 8 Rangers
Bush Ranger Introduction
In Year 8 the Bush Rangers have explored what it means to be a Bush Ranger and they have developed a code of conduct we like to call the ‘Cadet Creed’. We have created Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag art pieces and discussed the symbolism of each flag. Finally we focused our attention to our beautiful state – Western Australian – investigating and learning about the Western Australian flag and our WA emblems – the numbat, black swan and kangaroo paw.
Totem Yarning – Nearer to Nature – Department of Parks and Wildlife Incursion
We were introduced to Aboriginal totems by Leonard (Aboriginal Elder) from the Nearer to Nature, Department of Parks and Wildlife. He explained that each Aboriginal person is allocated a totem and that they must respect, protect and listen to their totem. He shared stories of his totem the Mopoke which fascinated our Rangers. They become more inquisitive and wanted to know more about respect, sustainability and connection to country.
Semester 1 2017 – Year 9 and 10 Rangers
Beach Explorations
During first term the Bush Rangers explored three local beach environments – Palm Beach, Shoalwater Beach and Point Peron. The Rangers looked at the various types of beaches (sandy and limestone) and they examined the beach profile to identify the different regions which make up a beach (swash zone, beach, fore dunes and dunes). We practiced identifying and classifying natural objects found on beaches using a Beach Combers Guide. The Rangers also enjoyed the time out in our environment observing the beautiful flora and fauna of Rockingham has to offer.
Penguin Island Excursion
The Bush Rangers explored Penguin Island in the Shoalwater Marine Park towards the end of first term. They visited the Discovery Centre to learn about the Little Penguins who have been rescued and looked after by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW). They loved Kevin – a very spoilt junior penguin who always sits right near the bucket to be hand fed. Next we headed around the island to complete the Penguin Island Waddle. We observed natural and man-made nesting sites of the Little Penguins; saw the cameras used to monitor penguin movements and watched other beautiful bird life, such as, pelicans and the inquisitive buff banded-rails. Our day ended with a beautiful cruise of the Shoalwater Marine Islands were the Rangers observed the amazing Australian Sea Lions and Ospreys.
Guest Speaker – Alison Dorn – Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI)
Alison Dorn from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative visited our Rangers to outline the importance of removing Marine Debris from our oceans and waterways. She explained that we can all make a difference, help our environment and assist our animals. They learnt that many animals are ingesting plastics and as a consequence becoming ill or die. The Rangers thoroughly enjoyed Alison presentation and looked forward to seeing her at our first Beach Clean Up.
Our Conservation Project – Shoalwater Beach Clean Ups – AMDI
Rockingham ESC Bush Rangers have adopted a stretch of beach in the Shoalwater Marine Park to remove Marine Debris. With the help of Alison Dorn (AMDI) we conducted our first beach clean up on the 11th June. The Rangers have now complete four beach clean ups in total, collecting and removing 14.3 kg of marine debris from our local environment.
Snap shot of our statistics
240 Remnant pieces of plastic
197 Cigarette butts
141 Packaging Items e.g. plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic lids and plastic strapping
40 m Fishing line
85 Metal Items e.g. aluminium cans, metal bottle caps, lids and ring pulls, and foil wrappers
2 Cylume glow sticks (used in commercial fishing)
Interesting Finds
Commercial dive flag
Sunglasses
Grinding disk
Postage sorting box
The Rangers have sorted, classified and uploaded their findings to the AMDI national database. Scientist use the information provided by the Rangers to identify the source of marine debris and implement source reduction schemes.
Koolangars, Corroborees and Kaleeps – Nearer to Nature – Department of Parks and Wildlife
We participated in an amazing day of learning about Aboriginal culture and respect for country from our Aboriginal Elders – Zac and Leonard. They introduced us to Aboriginal language, shared their knowledge country (the environment) and demonstrated the importance of showing respect for country. The Rangers built fishing traps to catch larger fish enabling the little ones to remain in the water hole. They made rope from box reed and built the trap using this rope, branches and bush material. They participated in hunting travelling through the bush to find food – native animals. We sat in a maya maya – aboriginal dwelling and threw a boomerang.
What next in Term 3, 2017?
The older Rangers will explore wetlands, conduct water testing and examine the micro organisms found in water ecosystem. The Year 8 Rangers will be building nesting boxes for our local birds with Simon Cherriman a leading expert of the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Finally Animal Ark will visit us again to introduce our Rangers to frogs, snakes, lizards, stick insects and other mini beasts.
R Nixon
Bush Rangers Unit Leader
