Giving South and East Auckland school students the opportunity to learn about sustainability and climate change through fun activities is a passion for Beautification Trust Community Programmes Manager Sterling Ruwhiu.
Sterling leads the team that delivers the Trust’s annual Eye on Nature Wearable Arts Fashion Show, which has been giving tamariki and rangatahi the exciting experience of modelling their eco-friendly creations on a fashion runway in front of a live audience for more than 10 years.
This year’s event will take place on July 30 and 31. The theme is ‘Wellbeing—Taiao and Me’, and it’s all about caring for and connecting with nature for a healthy self.
Sterling says the children choose the materials for their creations and research which aspect of the theme they want to learn about.
In addition to learning about the environment and wellbeing, they also pick up new skills, such as using a 3D printer or laser cutting or simply using everyday materials in a different way.
“Even the little ones come up with some amazing stuff. It might not be as polished as the high school students, but we try to reward them for the effort they have made.”
Sterling says the children grow in confidence by modelling or presenting their work at the live show in front of an audience of more than 600 people, which is amazing to see.
“Students come back year after year – some have even turned their creative abilities and what they have learned through the competition into a career pathway.”
It’s a busy few months for the team at the Beautification Trust – in March, they delivered Eye on Nature School Days, an annual environmental education event for local primary schools.
About 1200 year five and six students from 47 local schools visited the Auckland Botanic Gardens, taking part in four 45-minute workshops run by experts.
“The kids love it. They are learning about the environment and wellbeing in terms they understand.”
The programme has been running for 18 years and often older students who participated in previous years come back to volunteer.
Sterling says the Eye on Nature programmes turn engaging with nature into a positive experience, helping to soften some of the doom-laden environmental messages children are exposed to.
“I see this as providing hope to kids, so they don’t feel powerless.”
She also hopes taking part in these programmes will inspire our young people to step up for the environment or volunteer in their community in the future.
Running the programmes takes a great deal of time and resources and Wiri Licensing Trust has been delighted to provide recommendations of support for funding applications linked to Eye on Nature, including bus transport, venue hire and even audio equipment costs.
“Our Board loves to support any initiatives that advance arts initiatives and educational opportunities for our ethnically diverse population,” says General Manager Kim Green.
Sterling says support from funders is essential to keep these programmes affordable for local schools and families, especially in the current economic environment.
“Costs for buses have tripled in five years. We don’t want to make that a barrier for schools who want to take part.”
Since 2001, the Beautification Trust has been leading beautification projects, community events, zero-waste programmes and environmental education throughout South and East Auckland.
It’s one of four eco-hubs that organise EcoFest, an annual grassroots festival that offers local change-makers a chance to share their skills and ideas, champion our local environment, support collaboration, and celebrate the importance of community.
Its Boomer Shed offers a space for men and women over 50 to get stuck into a range of community projects and their own projects while socialising and meeting new people.
It runs a Bike Hub in Manurewa and partners with Foodtogether to offer a pop-up every Thursday where people can buy a bag of delicious, seasonal fruit and vegetables for $15.
Paataka Kai and Paataka Maatao, or Community Pantry and Fridge, is an initiative that rescues food and encourages the sharing of kai between neighbours.
It also offers a packed calendar of workshops and events and provides events spaces to other community groups.
The Wiri Licensing Trust has an amazing mural on its site at 639 Great South Road that was painted in collaboration with the Beautification Trust. The organisations have also worked together to get a mural on the wall of a local commercial premises that was constantly tagged with graffiti.
Wiri Licensing Trust wants to connect with local community groups and organisations doing great work in our neighbourhood. To find out how we can support you, email us at info@wiritrust.org.nz.
