Bilbies and bandicoots abound for AWC fundraiser hosted by Affinity Education Group

More than 20,000 children engaged in education and care with Affinity Education Group services will spend today, Steve Irwin Day (15 November 2024) dressed up as their favourite Australian wildlife creature to raise money for Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC).

The ‘Bushland Bonanza’ themed fundraiser has been run over the course of this week and is the second major national fundraiser run by the approved provider, aiming not only to raise vital funds, but also to boost awareness of Australia’s threatened species.

230 Affinity centres are taking part, with three to five year old children dressing as creatures such as the Greater Bilby, Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat and Green Tree Frog.

Dr Lesley Jones, Head of Education and Pedagogy for Affinity, said the initiative was not only fun but educational for children and educators.

“Australia is home to some of the most unique (and adorable) animals in the world, and yet traditionally, Australian children in preschool and kindergarten classrooms are still taught about only a fraction of our native animals,” she said.

“Through the Aussie Wildlife Champions program within our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, we’re setting our educators and teachers up to deliver a powerful combination of conservation and education, engaging our little learners in the wonders of Australia’s native wildlife and inspiring new and emerging generations to care for our country.”

Affinity launched a partnership with AWC in August 2023. As part of the partnership and Affinity Education Group’s Lifelong Learning Curriculum, the two organisations produced the Australian-first ‘Aussie Wildlife Champions’ program which has been available to more than 10,000 children and more than 400 educators and early childhood teachers over the last year.

The program provides engaging lesson plans for 18 Australian species and introduces children to core principles of conservation and Australia’s iconic and/or endangered species. Fun and age-specific videos describe the criticality and lifecycle of species such as Native Bees, Crocodiles, Numbats and Bilbies. Each lesson is filled with imagery, insights and activities that will expand children’s understanding of the breadth, depth and uniqueness of Australia’s native species.

In 2023 Affinity Education Group hosted a Threatened Species Day fundraiser for AWC, which generated around $15,000 in donations.

For AWC CEO Tim Allard, the partnership has been a successful one. 

“It’s an honour to work with the incredible team at Affinity Education Group and nurture the next generation of conservationists,” Mr Allard said. “In less than 18 months, we’ve engaged thousands of young minds on the breadth of incredible native species in their own backyards and we expect they will have a blast incorporating their favourite species into their outfits and activities during Bushland Bonanza.”