Brett Barrett of Kawana Shoppingworld and Cr Jenny McKay with Kids in Action Youth Leaders Willow Cannon and Safron Holford.
Celebrating and caring for Sunshine Coast’s native flora and fauna was the key message at the inaugural Kids in Action Film Night held on Thursday, 17 October.
This final component of the Kids in Action 2019 program kicked off the Roadshow, which is hosted at Kawana Shoppingworld until Saturday, 19 October.
The Film Night featured films from three participating Kids in Action schools as well as highlight videos from the program’s two events held earlier this year, the Environmental Projects Day and Kids-Teaching-Kids Conference.
Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay welcomed families and friends of the young environmentalists to the Film Night and shared her pride in the students’ accomplishments.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for our Kids in Action to see themselves as the stars of not just a big screen, but a V-Max theatre screen,” Cr McKay said.
“After all the dedication and hard work creating such inspiring projects for the conference, this Film Night is a chance to share some of the experience, excitement, entertainment and education that is Kids in Action.
“That inside look continues with the Roadshow, where several more Kids in Action schools will showcase their interactive displays on Friday and Saturday in Kawana Shoppingworld.”
Kids in Action environmental projects were first presented at the Kids-Teaching-Kids Conference in September, all in line with the year’s theme of Connecting to Country: Celebrating nature’s icons.
At the Film Night, environmental project videos from The River School, Tewantin State School and Suncoast Christian College wowed an audience of more than 75 students, teachers, families and supporters.
In the following two days, Burnside State School, Peregian Springs State School and Tewantin State School will share their projects outside Coles in the shopping centre.
The community is invited to learn about the schools’ selected native flora or fauna species and experience their educational and interactive displays.
Cr McKay continued to share her gratitude and appreciation for those who helped facilitate and produce this year’s Kids in Action program.
“This special Roadshow, and indeed the entire Kids in Action program, is thanks in major part to our sponsors and partners: Kawana Shoppingworld, who generously donated the Event Cinemas V-Max Theatre space for the evening, as well as Unitywater, SeaLife Trust and Kids Teaching Kids,” Cr McKay said.
“An integral part of this year’s program was also the collaboration with the First Nations People of the Sunshine Coast – the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Peoples – who generously worked alongside these kids, sharing their knowledge of both language and skills.
“From what I’ve seen, the kids have absolutely loved learning from and with these Traditional Owners and it’s been the highlight of this year’s program.
“Of course, none of this program would be possible without the endless efforts and dedication from the teachers of our Kids in Action.
“While this program focuses on empowering students to work together and teach one another about environmental issues, it is the teachers and their schools that bring the children together and form the framework needed to facilitate this important learning.”
Schools and teachers are invited to register their interest for Kids in Action 2020 and to find more information through council’s website, www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Environment/Education-Resources-and-Events/Kids-in-Action-Program.
