School's out for enviro day by the Bay

Over 700 students from Dunsborough Primary School descended on Geographe Bay for the 12th annual 2024 Bay OK Day, where they took part in 27 different environmental-themed educational activities across the day.

Organised by Dunsborough Primary School, the day brings together environmental groups and agencies to help students better understand the importance of looking after Geographe Bay and the surrounding environment.

An estimated 8,400 students have taken part in the program over the 12 years.

“It is such a great day, getting all the children and different environmental groups together to learn about how we can look after Geographe Bay and our local environment,” Dunsborough Primary School Principal Taylor Webb said.

“The students learn so much about the importance of looking after the bay and really do enjoy the activities.”

Highlights included looking at sea life up close using microscopes, exploring GeoCatch’s 3-dimensional model of the catchment that simulates pollution and runoff into our river systems, and a marine safety demonstration by the Department of Transport that included a live flair demonstration.

Crowd favourite Mermaid Nixie made a surprise appearance from beneath the sea to the delight of the crowd, while scores of volunteers gave their time to help the children better understand the region and its fragile environment.

GeoCatch project Officer Olivia Tunney shared her experience in waterways management, running the activity “What Belongs in The Bay” for groups of excited students.

Olivia said she was encouraged that Year 2 students were able to identify pollution sources and threats to Geographe Bay.

“The activity was a relay with teams of students racing to categorise different items based on whether they belong in the bay or not,” she said.

“On reflection with the students, they were able to identify that we have a range of different things that can impact our natural environment if they enter the waterways.”

Other presenters included FAWNA, the South West Wildflower Society, Meelup Regional Park Council, Smith Beach Surf Life Saving Club, FishAbility, Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory, Cape to Cape Bird Group, Tangaroa Blue and Keep Australia Beautiful, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries, Storytime with Penny, Geo Bay Wildlife Group, Marine art with Pip, City of Busselton, Water Corporation, Bunnings, Geographe Marine Research, Crystal Hamilton Sound Healing, Captain Coast Care and Dune Dude.