2. From the
beginning……
In 1999 GK science teacher, Graeme
Lewis, saw the potential for an
indigenous gully to be planted out in
the unused, fenced off bottom
corner of the school where the storm
water drain was located.
And so the gully began……..
3. In the beginning……
Rocks were brought in and some
landscaping was done, but not a lot,
as the site already had tiers in it due
to the storm water drain located in
the basin at the bottom of the area.
The soil was very hard, clay - typically
found in this area……’nillumbik’ an
indigenous word for ‘poor, shallow
soil’.
4. A pond!
A pond was added in the top corner
of the new gully.
Plastic lining was put in the bottom
and a pump was added to move
water down rocks.
5. Banyule Council
Contact was made with the Banyule
Biodiversity educator, Daniel, who
made regular visits to the school to
discuss local flora and fauna, with a
particular focus on indigenous
plantings.
6. Science Room
The GK Parents and Friends Association
purchased a portable to be placed next
to the gully and used specifically as a
dedicated science room. Teachers
attended science lessons with students,
so as to provide practical science lessons
inside, whilst Graeme gardened with
students in the gully.
7. Over time…..
Trees started to grow, especially the
acacias, signs were put up, vegetable
beds put in and a propagation shed
established next to the science room.
Things were happening!
8. Propagation Program
Graeme established a successful
propagation program within the
science lessons, enabling students to
experience growing plants from
seedlings and then selling them to
the school and local community for
$1.25, thereby enabling money to go
back into program.
9. 2004
By Graeme’s retirement, the gully
was a flourishing indigenous
landscape. Vegetables were growing
in the beds and reeds had established
themselves in the pond.
The gully had become an exciting and
interesting place for activities to
happen in the school.
10.
11. 2005
In 2005 the current science teacher
Jai Lincoln, registered GK with the
Sustainable Schools Program. Jai
continued to use the gully and
surrounding area to teach students
about environmental sustainability,
such as ponding activities, vegetable
and plant growing.
12. 2009
Annemarie Webb started part-time in
the science program. With lots of
help from staff, students, parents
and community stakeholders such as
Banyule Council, progress continued
to be made in the gully and around
the school gardens. Attending TEN
meetings also proved helpful,
especially with PDs on topics such as
grant writing and establishing
gardens.
13. 2010
GK successfully applied for a bush
tucker garden through the Coles
Landcare Grant Scheme. The Art
teacher became involved,
incorporating some bollards into the
garden area.
The OSH Program became interested
in engaging in sustainable initiatives
and established a cottage garden
complete with vegies and herbs, as
well as composting and using
produce in their program.
14.
15. Specialised School
Grant 2012-2014
At the end of 2011 GK was one of 14
schools in Victoria to be awarded
$100,000 for their Environmental
Education and Science Program. Part
of this grant included the creation of
a WSUD (Water Sensitive Urban
Design) in the form of a Storm Water
Catchment in the Gully.
The old pond was in the wrong
location and more successful
growing reeds than as a thriving
pond habitat.
16.
17. Landscaped Gully
Indigenous Designs, a local
landscaping business, worked closely
with Annemarie and Jill to come up
with a useable, school friendly
environment that encouraged
learning in the outdoors. Work
commenced over the 2012/2013
summer holidays, and the new gully
was ready to explore at the start of
2013!
18.
19. Pond Habitat
Since it’s establishment the pond has
worked successfully as a storm water
catchment. Rain has travelled down
to the first large pond then
overflowed into the second pond
before travelling through the garden
and out to the drain.
Animals found in the area have
included frogs and tadpoles, birds,
dragonflies, butterflies and water
insects.
20. Ecologist-in-Residence
As part of the Specialised School
Grant, GK was able to employ an
ecologist over 2 separate fortnights
to take students into the nearby local
reserve, where possum boxes had
been set up, and using the council’s
camera, collect data on what was
found. David was also able to share
his passion of frogs in the gully.
21. Local Ecology
With David, from Abzeco, a local
ecology firm, students were made
aware of the importance of local
biodiversity, including plants such as
the chocolate lily, and lesser known
animals such as the micro bats and
brushed tailed phascogale.
22. Garden Extension
To accommodate a new garden area,
including new vegetable beds, fruit
trees , chook shed and propagation
shed, the old unused portable was
taken out and a new fence line put in.
The gully fence still remains as added
security for the ponds inside.
23. Chook Shed
After several quotes a new chook
shed was purchased online, and
delivered in flat packs! Our
maintenance lady and her son put it
up in a day. As part of Prep unit ‘On
the Farm’ eggs will be incubated next
term and kept for the chook
program…..barring any roosters!!
24. A Mega Working Bee
In August 2014 a mega school
working bee was attended by
families to assist in the completion of
the new garden area. Wire was dug
underground to fox proof the fences.
The chook run was dug in. Fruit trees
were planted along the fence to be
espaliered.
25. Ongoing projects
The Gully Club is a popular lunchtime
activity held once a week. This allows all
students to come down and work in the
gully and garden area…..weeding, stick
collecting etc.
The student leadership group, the Green
Team, will continue to play a pivotal role in
leading the school in sustainable actions.
Once a year a gully area working bee will be
held to help with pruning and maintenance
issues.
Classes will continue to take ownership of
different garden and vegie areas to
maintain, plant out and use produce.
The gully and garden area will continue to
be used during science lessons, especially
with biological science foci.
