The centre’s Creative Catchment Kids program won the Junior Landcare Team Award for helping spread the word on natural resource management.

It is often said we must look after our land because it is the one thing we can’t make any more of and Wirraminna is at the forefront in educating our children about our valuable land.

Wirraminna’s program was NSW’s nomination in the junior team category, which saw schools and landcare groups from every state and territory represented.

More than 2000 students and 200 teachers have participated in the Wirraminna program since its launch five years ago.

Its mission is to engage the region’s students and schools to develop more resilient landscapes and communities through a change in attitude toward natural resource management. 

The program – which now includes more than 60 Murray and Riverina schools – provides real-life activities that encourage students to learn about, and respond to, natural resource management, the importance of farming, biosecurity and pest management.

It is timely also to be acknowledged during Biodiversity Month, considering Wirraminna was established and is maintained by volunteers and nurtures a diverse range of native plants and wildlife.

Wirraminna was established in 1995, covering four hectares on an old stock reserve and public watering place near Burrumbuttock.

As well as the Creative Catchment Kids program, Wirraminna also provides resources for schools, hosts excursions, connects schools with agricultural providers, offers teacher development and helps produce a range of publications.

Its rammed earth Discovery Centre also houses a native fish aquarium.

In 1986 the Landcare movement was established and is now an international community-based movement encouraging a sustainable approach to land management.

That Wirraminna has embraced Landcare’s ideals and the importance of sustainable biodiversity, and is spreading this important message through outstanding educational programs, deserves all the praise it gets.