Gladstone youngsters become proud author-educators with Enviro-Stories
A group of Gladstone children can now add “internationally-published authors” to their list of achievements after playing a role in the development of a new book collection.
The children were involved in the Habits for Habitat ‘Enviro-Stories’ program during 2023 which has now culminated in 600 published books that they wrote and illustrated as a four-part collection.
The book collection will now be used as an educational resource tool circulated throughout the Gladstone region’s libraries and schools, with copies also going to Gladstone’s Sister City Saiki in Japan.
Held over the course of 12 months, 50 students from Boyne Island State School, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Out of Hours School Care, and Yarwun State School, were able to participate in educational workshops and wildlife talks from Jodi Jones at Gladstone Wildlife Carers Association and Iris Cosgrove from Conservation Volunteers Australia to inform their educational stories. Children attending Gladstone Regional Council’s Ecofest also had the opportunity to learn illustrative techniques from local First Nations artist Leslie (Gordon) Waraba Lister.
CQUniversity Regional Arts Officer Melissa Peacock said it is so important to have arts projects such as this for students living regionally and remotely.
“Not only do arts projects foster individual creativity, but this project has also brokered a new connection and relationship between our native wildlife in this region. From carers, volunteers and stakeholders, local libraries, conservation groups, sister cities and our First Nations people – what a collaboration!” Ms Peacock said.
“It has addressed and exposed students to our local culture while having the opportunity to explore and express their creative talents, and through community workshops and has brought people together – engaging and embracing our diverse community.”
Through this passion for bringing people together and forming unique partnerships, Ms Peacock was able to draw upon resources and fostered connections with schools in the region through her role as Regional Arts Officer with the Regional Art Services Network and her micro community arts business A Country Arts Practice, seeing the project becoming a collaboration with Gladstone and District Wildlife Carer Association Inc, Peek Designs, Rio Tinto Yarwun, and Here for Gladstone.
“It was incredible to be able to work with First Nations artist Gordon Lister, who co-facilitated a workshop at Gladstone Regional Council’s Ecofest where one of the books was created, along with the support of Byellee Elder Trish (Patricia) Coleman who made it possible for the Byellee language to be included in the Yarwun State School book,” Ms Peacock said.
“I am always in awe of the genuine curiosity of the students; their openness to learn and engage, and to celebrate their imaginations and inquisitive minds. For me, it is equally inspiring and keeps me optimistic for our future.
“I do hope that with ongoing funding or financial sponsorship, that this opportunity can continue in the Gladstone Region or wider Central Queensland because there are so many stories to share that haven’t been told yet.”
A book launch to celebrate the creation of the books was held at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum on Wednesday 14 February, which also featured a reading of the story written by the students of Yarwun State School, by Byellee Elder Trish (Patricia) Coleman.
The Regional Arts Service Network is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Central Queensland University is serving as the catchment three RASN provider from 2022 to 2025.
