The power of many hands – and many words – made light work in one of Bulli’s parks recently, with local students helping to plant a greener tomorrow. Students from Waniora Public School and St Joseph’s Primary school joined in a nature-filled morning and brought new life to Arthur Osborne Grove in Bulli.

Images: Tad Souden

Around 60 students worked with Council staff to plant a selection of native shrubs and grasses around the Grove’s pump track. They spent time with award-winning writer and NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 2020 Kirli Saunders OAM, who led a nature-based Caring for Country poetryworkshop, listened to wisdom from Aunty Sharryalyn Robinson and planted lomandra with the Wollongong City Council staff.

“I believe people are more inclined to care for Country they’re connected to, so moments like these,listening to Elders, writing stories, and sharing yarns while planting with horticulturalists are really important,” says Kirli. “Aunty Sharralyn Robinson, gave us a warm welcome and explained the cultural significance of the lomandra, which students then planted along the bike track. I feel really lucky to contribute to regenerating the land I live on, and supporting cultural connections between schools and community, while also facilitating literacy development.”

The two activities were delivered in partnership by Wollongong City Council and Red Room Poetry as part of growing a POEM FOREST in Wollongong.

“It’s important for us to increase the number of trees and plants across our outdoor spaces as well as caring for them. Our planting days with local schools are always a highlight for Council staff, who play an important role in educating our younger generation on how they can support a greener future,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM says. “The planting day was unique in that we had Red Room Poetry and proud Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, join us as part of POEM FOREST, a free competition that builds on positive words to increase tree plantings across our city.”

Poem Forest invites students and teachers to submit a nature poem. For every submission received across Australia, a tree gets planted in Mount Annan Botanic Garden. Last year, more than 5000 trees were planted. Thanks to the partnership between Red Room Poetry and Wollongong City Council, this is the first year a Wollongong-specific prize has been offered which, includes $500 cash, a $50 voucher to spend at Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Greenplan Nursery, free plants and a school excursion – in addition to the national prizes.

“It’s is about deepening our connections with plants and place. We want young people to know that their voices matter and that their actions can make a difference when it comes to caring for country,” says Red Room Poetry Artistic Director, Dr Tamryn Bennett. “We know students are so passionate about the environment and every tree we can plant helps to make a greener future for everyone. Plus, there’s lots of fantastic prizes!”

The workshop led by Kirli invited students to take a moment to reflect on their morning planting and put pen to paper the gratitude they have for Country and nature. Their poems will also be entered into the competition.

“We’ve also invited local students to submit drawings that share how they feel about trees and why our outdoor spaces are important to them. We’re keen to display these pictures alongside poems in the park in the future,” Cr Bradbery says. “The planting event was a positive outcome for our community, and all of their creations will promote the benefits of community greening in and around Bulli Park.”

The Mother of Nature spoke to the forest,

The forest whispered “We can’t survive”

The animals and plants of the forest fight for survival,

But one by one they fall,

The disasters in the rainforest is like the sun hurling fire,

The rainforest will fall beneath waves and heat,

Unless humans lend a hand,

People and nature fighting together for survival

Daniel L. excerpt from ‘The Rainforest’ Year 6, Illawarra Christian School