EDMUND RICE COLLEGE 2025 SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
On the 5th of September, ten John Therry students travelled to Edmund Rice College's Sustainability conference. The experience was highly thought provoking, with the focus on promoting biodiversity. Special guests included Dr James Dorey-- a biology researcher and lecturer at the Wollongong University. Dorey's research held an emphasis on conservation, ecology and entomology -- With his more specific point of research being bees. Dorey discussed his experience researching bees in Fiji and Australia, sharing the eccentricities of both countries' bee population. He also shared how photography has been beneficial to his career as a scientist, allowing for scientific research to become accessible to the public, and reinventing our idea of a standard bee-- With a lot of Australian bees being far more unique than we perceive.
Another guest featured at the event was Sarah Anderson, founder of "Popes Produce"-- An urban farm, which she, along with friends and family has cultivated in her backyard. She discussed the process of developing her garden from bleak grassy land to her colourful garden-- Complete with chicken coups over the course of several years. Unlike most farms today, Anderson's garden has been entirely developed by hand. Along with discussing her journey, Sarah discussed the significance of having local grown produce to the community and the environment.
Along with the conversations held with special guests, students were invited to engage in tactile activities-- Such as constructing their own "insect hotel," and making their own clay bee figures. Since construction, our "bee hotels" have been included at our school, with one being featured at the Indigenous bush tucker garden and the other at our vegetable garden. We hope to observe success in our creation.
POPES PRODUCE: https://share.google/fsgdoMkVIOxljmWEt
Instagram: "@popes_produce"
Dr James Dorey's Website: https://share.google/jMRbEG1eTRYA3FSG2
Instagram: "@jamesbdorey"
By Selena Chakma
