Australian Ethical announces ECEC winner for Community Grants program

Superannuation and investment management organisation Australian Ethical recently announced the successful applicants for its Community Grants program, which sees 20 grassroots organisations share $360,000 for their efforts in one of three domains: people, planet or animals. 

This year’s funding pool, the highest in Australian Ethical’s history, forms part of the more than $3.8 million donated through the Community Grants program since its inception. The Foundation draws the Grants funding from post tax and pre-bonus profits from the superannuation and managed funds of the group, estimated to be in the range of $3 billion. 

The early childhood education and care (ECEC) element of the funding was awarded in the ‘planet’ category, going to Green Heroes. 

In collaboration with teachers, early childhood educators and wildlife conservationists, Green Heros has developed a curriculum based educational unit and resource kit focused on protecting Australian native animal species. 

Targeted at children in pre-school and early primary, the Sharing Planet Earth unit of study is the first of its kind in Australia. The project involves creating handmade, organic educational teaching resources, a pop up wildlife hospital, and meaningful wildlife conservation activities, which can be carried out in the educational environment, and broader local area. 

Sharing Planet Earth – Green Heroes from Julia Marr on Vimeo.

A spokesperson for Green Heroes described the Sharing Planet Earth program as “an early years journey towards environmental awareness and action”. 

Through the program, the spokesperson said, children role play, tell stories, create habitats and become involved in meaningful conservation activities. The program is aligned with the early years learning framework (EYLF), and prioritises sustainability and understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. 

Three main topic areas are covered in the Sharing Planet Earth program: 

• ‘Amazing Australian Animals and their Habitats’
• ‘Caring for Country ‘
• ‘Saving the World Before Bedtime’ (which focuses on taking conservation action).

The program has an accompanying resource kit which includes a 100 page teacher guide, lesson plans, books, games and equipment.