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The Neil Rankin Award

 

The Neil Rankin Award for primary school children aims to encourage children’s understanding of the natural environment using the Wolli Creek Valley as a resource. Groups of children from primary schools and community groups are eligible to enter. The Award, which was made possible through a donation from Danny Rankin to honour her late husband Neil Rankin – ‘the Birdman of Wolli Creek’, will be presented in November 2009.

Notices are sent to all primary schools in the catchment area. If you are the parent of a primary school child or are otherwise involved with a local school, please encourage them to participate.

 

Downloads

 

Details of Competition

History of the Neil Rankin Award

The Neil Rankin Award was established in 2004 with a $5,000 donation by Danny Rankin to honour her late husband.

The purpose of the Award is:

  • to promote positive and informed attitudes towards the environment and encourage children’s enjoyment and understanding of the natural world.
  • to encourage the use of the Wolli Creek Valley as an environmental resource and a place of exploration and discovery.
  • to provide opportunities for creative expression about experiences related to the Valley and the natural world.

About Neil Rankin

Neil Rankin, known to many locals as the ‘Birdman of Wolli Creek’, was a teacher, school principal and inspector with the NSW Education Department. After his retirement in 1982 until his death in 2001, he devoted much of his time to documenting the birds in the Wolli Creek Valley. His book, ‘Neil Rankin’s Birds of Wolli Valley’ (2006) is a valuable resource for beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike.

Neil was committed to environmental education and to sharing knowledge with young people. He regularly conducted bird watching walks through the Valley and visited schools. He was an active campaigner who helped save the Valley from motorway development.

The aim of the 2009 Rankin Award is to develop an understanding of the world of birds and the importance of the Wolli Valley to their survival.

The entry could be a school project within a HSIE topic such as Local Environment, Mini Worlds or Wet and Dry Environments or it could be incorporated into English (a narrative, report or description), Creative Arts, Technology or Information Communication.

Community organisations could base their entry on a visit during excursions.

Projects could include:

- a banner or mural

- a powerpoint presentation (max 12 frames)

- a film or filmed performance (max 5 minutes)

- a series of photos or posters (max 6 x A3 pages)

- a story (max 6 x A3 pages)

- a game

Topics could include;

• Why I live in the Wolli Valley (a bird's perspective)

• What I saw flying over the Valley (bird's journey map)

• A study of one Wolli bird species

• An imaginary bird (how it differs from Wolli birds)

• Nest making – how to build, what to use

• Indigenous style dot paintings like a bird’s aerial view of the landscape

• What birds saw in Wolli before Europeans arrived

• Who are Wolli birds’ friends and foes?

• A bird’s tour guide to the Wolli Valley – where are the best spots to visit?

• How we made our playground bird-friendly

• What will the future be like for birds in the Valley?

Selection criteria

Entries should

• be based on a visit to the Valley.

• demonstrate group involvement and participation in planning and carrying out the project .

• show children’s creativity and imagination in developing a presentation to share with their peers.

Only group entries will be accepted and ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CLASS

Who is eligible to enter?

Primary age children from government and non-government primary schools or community organisations, such as after-school and vacation care centres or scout/guide groups located in the Wolli Creek Catchment and adjacent areas (ask if unsure).

There will be 3 categories for schools –

Stages 1, 2 and 3 and a special category for community organisations.

Prizes

1st place $250 in each category

2nd place $150 in each category

3rd place $100 in each category

Awards presentation will take place during November 2009 – details of date and venue will be sent to all entrants. All participating groups will be invited to the presentation and will receive a certificate of participation.

NB : Any entries with photos of children must be accompanied by permission for reproduction in the media and online.

Judging

The judging panel will be persons experienced in environmental education and children’s activities. The decision of the panel will be final. The Award is administered by Wolli Creek Preservation Society (WCPS).

Other assistance

Contact us regarding the possibility of guided walks for school groups and school visits and class presentations. Advanced notice is essential and events depend on availability of WCPS volunteers. A donation to the Society would be appreciated.

 

For further information contact info@wollicreek.org.au or Judy Finlason on 9559 2821.

 


Useful websites

The Birds Nest Resource - The Bird's Nest is a A3 sized folder that can be borrowed from local librabries or by contacting the Society on info@wollicreek.org.au  This website provides an overview of the contents to help you plan your studies. You are welcome to use any of the materials directly from the website with acknowledgement.

The Two Valley Trail Education Resource - Over 100 pages of teachers resources related to the Two Valley Trail are available via this website. These teachers notes for various Valley walks and activity sheets for students are also available for download. Print copies will be available in local school libraries in 2009.

Australian Museum www.amonline.net.au - wide range of environmental information for kids.

Birds in Backyards www.birdsinbackyards.net - practical information on urban birds. Project linked to the Australian Museum.

CSIRO www.csiro.au - An excellent website packed with science related ideas, information and activities for students and teachers.

EcoOOSH - www.netoosh.org.au/ecooosh - a project designed for Out of School Hours (OOSH) centres that aims to encourage children to experience, enjoy and interact with the natural world, be curious about its workings, and move towards becoming sensitive citizens of the Earth. Contains excellent links to environmental websites

Frog and Tadpole Study Group www.fats.org.au - fun website with all you’ve ever wanted to know about frogs, including the Frogmobile.

Gould League www.gould.edu.au - information on natural environment especially for kids. To contact Gould League NSW gouldnsw@gould.edu.au

National Parks and Wildlife Service www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au - packed with useful information with special section for kids aged 5-12 years.

Network of Community Activities www.netoosh.org.au/ecooosh - contains excellent links to environmental websites. Useful publication ECO OOSH in Action with activities and ideas for primary age children.

Oz Green www.ozgreen.org.au - information for schools and useful links to environmental websites.

Royal Botanic Gardens www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au - school excursions, holiday activities and outreach programs.

Streamwatch www.streamwatch.org.au - details of community environmental education projects for schools.

Taronga & Western Plains Zoos www.zoo.nsw.gov.au - Info packed including Backyard to the Bush, visits and outreach programs

Waterwatch NSW - www.waterwatch.nsw.gov.au - all about the waterwatch program and how to get involved.

 
 
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