 | 11-Jan-10
MK Heads back to South Africa
From the 17th - 28th January 2010 a Millennium Kids team from Australia will be working with the MKGP South Africa team to continue the planning for a kids environmental conference now scheduled for October 2010 where we hope to bring together our members and friends from South Africa, Indonesia,... From the 17th - 28th January 2010 a Millennium Kids team from Australia will be working with the MKGP South Africa team to continue the planning for a kids environmental conference now scheduled for October 2010 where we hope to bring together our members and friends from South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa.
Check out www.mklookingforwater.blogspot.com for the online diary of the team's travels!
| |  14-Dec-09
A Sizzling Fundraiser!
On Sunday 13th December Millennium Kids Inc. held a sausage sizzle fundraiser at Bunnings Bibra Lake. From 8am-4pm MK Youth Board members and the MK Alumni volunteered their time to raise money for the River Leadership camp being held in March 2010.
"It was a great day!" said MK Youth Board mem... On Sunday 13th December Millennium Kids Inc. held a sausage sizzle fundraiser at Bunnings Bibra Lake. From 8am-4pm MK Youth Board members and the MK Alumni volunteered their time to raise money for the River Leadership camp being held in March 2010.
"It was a great day!" said MK Youth Board member Kennah Parker. "It was a really hot day and we appreciate all those people who bought a sausage sizzle and a drink yesterday."
Millennium Kids will be holding their next activity - A Bobtail Handling Workshop on Sunday 10th January 2010 at Native ARC. See the Events section for more details
| |  14-Dec-09
Singapore Visits MK!
Raffles Girls Primary School from Singapore visited Millennium Kids for a leadership training program and to find out more about the enviroment and how they can help to save it.
Here is an exerpt from the girl's blog: "The view of the Swan River is simply stunning but we spotted some ... Raffles Girls Primary School from Singapore visited Millennium Kids for a leadership training program and to find out more about the enviroment and how they can help to save it.
Here is an exerpt from the girl's blog: "The view of the Swan River is simply stunning but we spotted some trash in the river which we think might endanger the health of the birds and fishes that depend on the river for a living. While we were exploring the area, there were many families there to enjoy the view and for a picnic. Adults were walking along the river while the kids were enjoying themselves at the playground. We feel that taking care of the enviroment is everyone's responsibility as we all live together on the same planet. The view and enviroment is for everyone to enjoy and we all need to work together. We believe that with combined efforts we can all make the world a better place for all of us to live in."
| | 8-Dec-09
Green Teacher Award - Clean Up Australia Award<
Do you know a Green Teacher? If you do, then nominate them for the 2010 Green Teacher of the Year and they will be in the running to win a trip to Japan. The Green Teacher Award recognises teachers who initiate innovative environmental projects in their school community.
Thanks to Clean Ups sp... Do you know a Green Teacher? If you do, then nominate them for the 2010 Green Teacher of the Year and they will be in the running to win a trip to Japan. The Green Teacher Award recognises teachers who initiate innovative environmental projects in their school community.
Thanks to Clean Ups sponsor, Sanyo, the prizes for the 2010 Green Teacher Award are better than ever. Each state / territory winner will win a 3 day trip to Japan to view the world’s largest solar structure: Sanyo’s Solar Ark!
Nominations open 4 January 2010 and close on 19 March 2010 with winners announced on 16 April 2010. Nominations are to be made online.
State/territory winners will also receive a Sanyo Eneloop family pack containing a selection of rechargeable batteries and battery charger. A national winner will be selected from the state/territory winners and will also receive a widescreen interactive whiteboard and projector for their school.
Visit www.cleanup.org.au
| |  4-Dec-09
Millennium Kids Meet with Minister for Environment; Youth
On Thursday 3rd December Millennium Kids reported their 2009 projects to Minister for Environment; Youth Donna Faragher.
5 Millennium Kids Youth Board members, Alex (Wesley College), Kimberly (South Perth Primary), Celeste (St Hildas ASG), Luke (Como Secondary College) Kate (MK) and M... On Thursday 3rd December Millennium Kids reported their 2009 projects to Minister for Environment; Youth Donna Faragher.
5 Millennium Kids Youth Board members, Alex (Wesley College), Kimberly (South Perth Primary), Celeste (St Hildas ASG), Luke (Como Secondary College) Kate (MK) and Millennium Kids CEO Catrina-Luz Aniere met with the Minister at Parliment House.
They reported on the biggest sustainability projects for 2009, The Big Switch Experiment, TravelSmart EatSmart and The Swan-Canning Online Schools Project.
| |  24-Nov-09
Kids Influence through Song
Students influence through Song.
Two songs created by Thornlie Senior High School Students will be played on youth radio and available as downloadable ringtones as apart of ‘Listen Up!’, an initiative by the Public Transport Authority, Millennium Kids and Student Edge.
Year 10 student duos Ant... Students influence through Song.
Two songs created by Thornlie Senior High School Students will be played on youth radio and available as downloadable ringtones as apart of ‘Listen Up!’, an initiative by the Public Transport Authority, Millennium Kids and Student Edge.
Year 10 student duos Anthony Hua and Naomi Baxter, and Michael Ellix and Jarrahd Gibson were the lucky winners with their songs, Be a Leader, Not a Follower and Don’t Smoke, workshopped and professionally recorded with local Hip-Hop Artist Roy-Al.
They were just four of many students from over six schools who had the opportunity to develop and deliver positive safety messages to other young people in their community and have them played in the Millennium Kids Corner on Hype 101.7FM.
The Listen Up! workshop series was a result of Millennium Kids, in partnership with the Public Transport Authority consulting with young people in regards to anti-social behaviour at bus stations, train stations and shopping centres.
Students identified issues such as racism, binge drinking, drug use, peer pressure and smoking.
“We need to talk about it and people need to come together as one to make them understand that we are all the same even though we are different from the outside,” said one participating student.
Anthony and Naomi said that their song, Be a Leader, Not a Follower was derived from their own experiences of peer pressure in the school yard.
“We always see kids who feel like they need to do stuff like graffiti or vandalism just to fit in,” said Naomi. “We want other kids to know that going along with the crowd just makes you a sheep, and in the end it is not worth it.”
Don’t Smoke, by Michael and Jarrahd was inspired by their experience of breathing in second-hand smoke in places like the bus or train stations.
“There is nothing worse than breathing in other people’s cigarette smoke at the traino (sic). People need to know that it is not just bad for them, but it is bad for us too,”he said.
Don’t Smoke and Be a Leader, Not a Follower will be aired daily on Hype 101.7FM as well as being available for download at www.studentedge.com.au
Millennium Kids is a not-for-profit, youth-run sustainability organisation. For more information visit www.millenniumkids.com.au.
| |  23-Nov-09
Goldfields Map of Change
On Wednesday 18th November 2009 students in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder put their concerns into action with Phase 2 of The Big Switch Experiment, a kid-driven initiative that encourages people to take positive action against Climate Change.
To get the students thinking about sustainability we ... On Wednesday 18th November 2009 students in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder put their concerns into action with Phase 2 of The Big Switch Experiment, a kid-driven initiative that encourages people to take positive action against Climate Change.
To get the students thinking about sustainability we head out to Karlkurla Park to learn about the Great Western Woodland. “At almost three times the size of Tasmania, The Great Western Woodland stores about 700 million tonnes of carbon – which is equivalent to Australia’s entire annual emissions!” said Kate Laurendi, Millennium Kids Youth Board Member.
“Their Climate Change Campaigns will cover all areas of environmental sustainability – from energy use to air quality, the protection of native animals to conserving water and trees. Students will have the opportunity to use this workshop to plan Big Switch Experiment activities for their school in 2010” she said.
New IT technologies were also be a major focus with students learning how to get their messages heard in their community through photography, blogging and new state of the art Internet tools such as Animoto, Ning and Glogster.
Kindly Supported by the City if Kalgoorlie-Boulder
| |  10-Nov-09
Check out the TravelSmart EatSmart Blog!
The TravelSmart EatSmart program brings together students in Years 5 -7 to learn about the Environment and Sustainability. The program will encourage students to develop a TravelSmart plan that encourage students to walk, ride, car pool or catch public transport to school to reduce greenhouse emissi... The TravelSmart EatSmart program brings together students in Years 5 -7 to learn about the Environment and Sustainability. The program will encourage students to develop a TravelSmart plan that encourage students to walk, ride, car pool or catch public transport to school to reduce greenhouse emissions, increase physical activity and decrease traffic congestion around the school. Students will also have the opportunity to develop an EatSmart activity as part of their plan.
Follow the TravelSmart EatSmart Blog as kids report on their project progress. www.travelsmarteatsmart.blogspot.com
| |  6-Nov-09
MK Skypes with Papua!
Year 10 Community Service students Skyped with Millennium Kids' partner Tunas Hijau in Papua on Friday 30th October 2009. Tunas Hijau , Surabaya Indonesia has worked with Millennium Kids since 1999 on various river projects and as Tunas Hijua were running a program in Papua they emailed Millennium K... Year 10 Community Service students Skyped with Millennium Kids' partner Tunas Hijau in Papua on Friday 30th October 2009. Tunas Hijau , Surabaya Indonesia has worked with Millennium Kids since 1999 on various river projects and as Tunas Hijua were running a program in Papua they emailed Millennium Kids to set up a conferencing opportunity. As part of their climate change project the students from the two countries shared ideas and concerns about their respective rivers. The students from Wesley discussed salinity issues and how they used the river. The students from Papua talked about washing their clothes in the river. The school in Papua explained that they have been setting up a recycling program at their school so they could redcue the amount of waste that goes into the river. The two groups discussed ideas and developed ways in which young people could help conserve our rivers. The Wesley students learn Bahasa at their school so the boys practised their new found language skills much to the amusement of the students in Papua
| |  6-Nov-09
Millennium Kids Launches New Project with the Centre for Water Research!<
The Swan-Canning River Basin has undergone extensive land use changes in the 20th Century and is facing severe threats from 21st century urban development, climate change and agricultural land use.
The Swan-Canning On-line Schools Project is a joint initiative of the Centre for Water Re... The Swan-Canning River Basin has undergone extensive land use changes in the 20th Century and is facing severe threats from 21st century urban development, climate change and agricultural land use.
The Swan-Canning On-line Schools Project is a joint initiative of the Centre for Water Research at The University of Western Australia and Curtin University. It presents a simple strategy for reversing the current degradation of the Swan-Canning River Basin by setting up a modern adaptive management system that will allow the Swan-Canning River Basin and its receiving waters to be managed sustainably for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
Millennium Kids, a youth environmental organisation, is also a partner of this project, capturing the social history of the river through the past and future work of Western Australian school students.
The first stage of the School project launches with six Perth metropolitan schools, including St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Wesley College, Penrhos College, Sevenoaks Senior College, Aquinas College, and South Perth Primary School. It is vital for schools to be involved in this process as it ensures children and young people are involved in the care of the Swan-Canning Rivers.
To Check out more information about this exciting new project visit www.millenniumkids.ning.com
| |  27-Aug-09
International Youth Day
On 17th December 1999, the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth recommended that 12 August be officially declared as International Youth Day.
It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. Concerts, workshops, cultural events, ... On 17th December 1999, the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth recommended that 12 August be officially declared as International Youth Day.
It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. Concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world in honor of International Youth Day.
Western Australian Minister for Youth, Donna Faragher held a special morning tea for some WA young leaders for International Youth Day 2009. Millennium Kids youth board member Kate Laurendi was lucky enough to be invited representing Millennium Kids! Kate also interviewed the Minister for Environment; Youth for the Millennium Kids Corner on HypeFM.
| |  27-Aug-09
Wesley College Plants along the River for the Big Switch!
Wesley College planted over 300 trees along the Swan River foreshore last week. The Year 10 students are currently participating in the Big Switch Experiment program and have identified the Swan River to be a key area of conservation. For more information about The Big Switch Experiment visit www.... Wesley College planted over 300 trees along the Swan River foreshore last week. The Year 10 students are currently participating in the Big Switch Experiment program and have identified the Swan River to be a key area of conservation. For more information about The Big Switch Experiment visit www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com
| |  27-Aug-09
Woolworths supports the MK Corner!
The 2009 Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Community Grant program has awarded the Millennium Kids Corner with $2,500 to support the Millennium Kids Corner on HypeFM. The funding will support Millennium Kids Corner Health segments with a focus on healthy eating, and leading an active life. Kids involved ... The 2009 Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Community Grant program has awarded the Millennium Kids Corner with $2,500 to support the Millennium Kids Corner on HypeFM. The funding will support Millennium Kids Corner Health segments with a focus on healthy eating, and leading an active life. Kids involved in Millennium Kids will have the oppurtunity to participate in this segment.
| | 2-Jul-09
Kennah Joins The Team :-) < by
Hey! My Name is Kennah Parker. I am in Yr 10 at Gilmore College and I am currently on work experience with Millennium Kids. I have been involved with Millennium Kids since I was 11 years old and am so excited to have been given this opportunity. At the moment I am organising a Leadership Camp in Mun... Hey! My Name is Kennah Parker. I am in Yr 10 at Gilmore College and I am currently on work experience with Millennium Kids. I have been involved with Millennium Kids since I was 11 years old and am so excited to have been given this opportunity. At the moment I am organising a Leadership Camp in Mundaring and New Norcia. This is teaching me all the elements involved in planning an event and how to be professional. I am using this experience to get a taste of what it is like to work for MK so that I can one day I will be able to get a job with Millennium Kids. :-)
| | 2-Jul-09
Have a say about climate change?
Want to have a say about Climate Change? Want world leaders to hear your opinions. Millennium Kids will send four youth representatives to Sonderburg, Denmark in August to represent Australia at the youth climate change conference in the lead up to the UN Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
... Want to have a say about Climate Change? Want world leaders to hear your opinions. Millennium Kids will send four youth representatives to Sonderburg, Denmark in August to represent Australia at the youth climate change conference in the lead up to the UN Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Visit www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com to have a say.
| | 28-Jun-09
MK and the Office of Children and Youth
In April of this year Millennium Kids were asked by the Director of Children and Youth to ask young people what issues they face everyday and what concerned them. This information was collected so the Director could develop an effective plan to help them. MK held two workshops and focused on the iss... In April of this year Millennium Kids were asked by the Director of Children and Youth to ask young people what issues they face everyday and what concerned them. This information was collected so the Director could develop an effective plan to help them. MK held two workshops and focused on the issues that effect young carers and refugees. The students were selected by an agency to participate in the workshop. The project was funded by the Office of Children and Youth and was great success. The Director, Margaret Dawkins came to the workshops to meet the participants. The purpose of meeting the young people was because the issues became real instead of statistics on a page. These workshops will help the government create strategies to help solve the issues that really concern young people.
| | 26-Jun-09
Kalgoorlie joins the Big Switch
On July 24th 2009, a team from Millennium Kids have planned to travel to Kalgoorlie to meet with 100 young people from the town and surrounding communities. The meeting has been called to find out what the students like about their community, what they don’t like and what they want to change. They ... On July 24th 2009, a team from Millennium Kids have planned to travel to Kalgoorlie to meet with 100 young people from the town and surrounding communities. The meeting has been called to find out what the students like about their community, what they don’t like and what they want to change. They will be discussing how they can help reduce Greenhouse emissions in their township. The students will range from Year 5 to Year 10 and will be nominated by their schools. This project is funded by the West Australian Sustainable Energy Development Office and supported by Conservation Council WA and SciTech. The objective of these meetings will be to help the students develop a plan for a program to help reduce greenhouse emissions. This project will enable the students to run their own project with the assistance of other community members, council representatives and Millennium Kids. This will be a new and exciting adventure for the both Millennium Kids and the town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
| |  26-Jun-09
Como joins the Big Switch
On Wednesday April 8th 2009, 19 year 10 students from Como Senior High School recently met to record what they like and what they didn¡¦t like about their community. They discussed ways that they can solve these problems and what actions would have to take place in order for these problems to be hel... On Wednesday April 8th 2009, 19 year 10 students from Como Senior High School recently met to record what they like and what they didn¡¦t like about their community. They discussed ways that they can solve these problems and what actions would have to take place in order for these problems to be helped. The things these students didn¡¦t like about their community included:
Too many plastic bags,
Too much traffic,
Trees and logging,
And the state of their river.
They have discussed the importance of plastic bags being recycled properly and the problems with dumping, easy access to them and the issues of them not being biodegradable. The students have said that the public transport is unreliable and always late and people choose to drive places when it is feasible for them to walk, ride, cycle or catch public transport.
They don't like tree logging because it causes wildlife to disappear including the destruction of their habitat. They have also stated that with less trees there is more pollutions causing other problems. They do not like the way drought is affecting our river and the fish and other creatures that live in and around it. Rubbish, pollution, water pollution and the abundance of boats mean that sometimes they can no longer swim in it. Keep updated on what Como Secondary College is doing in regards to the Big Switch Experiment by visiting www.thebogswitchexperiment.blogspot.com!
| | 26-Jun-09
Wesley make their Big Switch
As part of Millennium Kids Big Switch Experiment, Year 10 students at Wesley College have been helping to care for their local river - the Swan. The boys have been concentrating their work at Sir James Mitchell Park and discovering the issues that they enjoy and what aspects caused them concern. Whi... As part of Millennium Kids Big Switch Experiment, Year 10 students at Wesley College have been helping to care for their local river - the Swan. The boys have been concentrating their work at Sir James Mitchell Park and discovering the issues that they enjoy and what aspects caused them concern. Whilst observing these things they also noticed other facts about the park and its inhabitants. The boys noticed that the swans usually travel in pairs and have lost most of their habitat for breeding. While speaking with Mayor James Best the students found that replacement of the natural river walls with beaches to prevent erosion and for better public access. They also learnt that the area around Sir James Mitchell Park used to be used as an agricultural area and was cleared in 1896. The park is still classified as a wetland which plays a part in the Swan River catchment. The students noticed that boats and other water activities have contributed to the water pollution which currently contaminates the river causing dangerous algal bloom outbreaks as well as the amount of non-native trees found in the area.
A big thank you goes to the year 10 students at Wesley College for their outstanding assistance in making a difference to our local community and all its inhabitants.
Follow the boys progress at http://www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com/
| |  26-Jun-09
Representing Australia at an International Climate Change conference<
On the 6th August 2009, four young West Australians will be travelling to Sonderberg in Denmark to represent Millennium Kids at the Bright Green Youth Conference - UN Youth Climate Change Conference 2009.
Bright Green Youth is the youth counterpart of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in C... On the 6th August 2009, four young West Australians will be travelling to Sonderberg in Denmark to represent Millennium Kids at the Bright Green Youth Conference - UN Youth Climate Change Conference 2009.
Bright Green Youth is the youth counterpart of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen in December. During the Conference, the young people attending will come up with ideas and suggestions for what we can do to solve future climate challenges.
Our Australian representatives will be telling the world all about the BIG Switch Experiment- and we need your help to do it!
To accept the mission head to
www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com and tell us what you think!
| |  26-Jun-09
Millennium Kids talks Thornlie Senior High School on Hype
Naomi and Anthony from Thornlie Senior High School were interviewed on the Millennium Kids Corner on Hype 101 FM. They said that although their school had a bad stigma attached to it, they wanted people to know that not everyone behaves in the same way. There are great things about their suburb and ... Naomi and Anthony from Thornlie Senior High School were interviewed on the Millennium Kids Corner on Hype 101 FM. They said that although their school had a bad stigma attached to it, they wanted people to know that not everyone behaves in the same way. There are great things about their suburb and school like the sporting facilities, public transport, and good places to hang out with their friends. Unfortunately, there are people around the area who hang around in gangs and make the locals feel uncomfortable. Anthony and Naomi said that they would like to see more art facilities in their area and would like to feel safer when they walk around the neighbourhood.
When the Millennium Kids corner went to Thornlie to run a Hip Hop battle, the students wrote songs about smoking, being themselves, and the importance of staying in school. Anthony and Naomi said that it was important to them to get their message out into the community because they find that people become unhappy when they think they are not as people think they should be. The students are excited that their songs will be played on Hype FM so they can get their message out into the community.
If you want to have a say on radio email pr@millennium.com.au or visit www.millenniumkidscorner.blogspot.com
| |  26-Jun-09
Roundabout pumps
Millennium Kids, MKGP South Africa and Roundabout pumps will be partnering to put in 2 wells in South Africa. Roundabout is a company that is creating a cheaper, easier and more sustainable solution to the water crisis in poor African communities. Their product is a carousel-style playground pump, w... Millennium Kids, MKGP South Africa and Roundabout pumps will be partnering to put in 2 wells in South Africa. Roundabout is a company that is creating a cheaper, easier and more sustainable solution to the water crisis in poor African communities. Their product is a carousel-style playground pump, which draws fresh drinkable water as the children play. The way the pump works is simple, the water is drawn from the underground water supply, pumped up into a water tower, then can be drained out through the tap at the bottom. This system is superior to other systems because of its cost effectiveness due to the absence of fossil-fuel consumption and maintenance costs. As an added bonus, the play pump pays for itself. The tower where the water is pumped into, displays four billboards, two of these are automatically leased for public health announcements, helping with the essential fight against HIV/AIDS. The Zambian based company has won awards including the Investing in the Future Award in 2003 and are recognised world-wide for their success in sustainable development. Email your thoughts about this idea through to us at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 26-Jun-09
St Hilda's shares their plans on the Millennium Kids corner
St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls have been looking at ways to help the bushland next to their school. They want to make the bushland, their school and their community a better place by protecting it. At school they have been looking at ways to make their school more sustainable. The girls have i... St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls have been looking at ways to help the bushland next to their school. They want to make the bushland, their school and their community a better place by protecting it. At school they have been looking at ways to make their school more sustainable. The girls have interviewed other members of their school community to see what they would like to see in their school. The results showed that they wanted to see more native plants and maybe a pond in their school to make it a nicer place to study and learn. This would also provide a habitat for more native animals to live in and would provide shade for people who walk in the area.
They have also leant about the poverty in South Africa and want to help a school in Mafeking by raising money and awareness. They are finding out ways that they can recycle things they have into products that the children in Africa need. They want to do this because they were affected by the fact the children of the school want access to clean water, stationary and toilets for their teachers.
In the near future the students are hoping they can help this African school and to see their vision for their school become real.
If you would like to have your say on radio email pr@millenniumkids.com.au or visit www.millenniumkidscorner.blogspot.com
| | 26-Jun-09
Millennium Kids plans to head to South Africa
The students at South Perth Out of School Care have been working hard at sewing, gluing and stitching together fabric to create dolls for the children living in Africa. These dolls are heading over to Africa in July to be given to the children in Mafeking.
Three Millennium Kids team members Catrin... The students at South Perth Out of School Care have been working hard at sewing, gluing and stitching together fabric to create dolls for the children living in Africa. These dolls are heading over to Africa in July to be given to the children in Mafeking.
Three Millennium Kids team members Catrina, Kate and Tonia are travelling over to South Africa to work with the team from Millennium Kids Global Project: South Africa. The preparations are started and the itinerary has been completed. The Millennium Kids convoy will leave Perth on July the 5th and arrive home on July the 13th.
The purpose of this trip is to:
„« Undertake two fund raising workshops in Mafikeng as per youth meeting objectives car wash and doll making activity.
„« Ascertain water infrastructure needs for Ntshidi and additional MKGP school projects
„« Explore partnership potential with Roundabout Pty Ltd to establish water source in school locations
„« Reconnect with Food and Trees for Africa to develop professional development framework for partner schools
„« Deliver training program with young people in event management so local MKGP groups can roll out their events in January 2010 with a focus on water security, health and sport.
„« Provide professional development with teachers to showcase student directed curriculum initiatives that are undertaken by MK in Australia.
| |  15-May-09
MK Prepares for South Africa
The students at South Perth Out of School Care have been working hard at sewing, gluing and stitching together fabric to create dolls for the children living in Africa. These dolls are heading over to Africa in July to be given to the children in Mafeking.
Three Millennium Kids team members Catrin... The students at South Perth Out of School Care have been working hard at sewing, gluing and stitching together fabric to create dolls for the children living in Africa. These dolls are heading over to Africa in July to be given to the children in Mafeking.
Three Millennium Kids team members Catrina, Kate and Tonia are travelling over to South Africa to work with the team from Millennium Kids Global Project: South Africa. The preparations are started and the itinerary has been completed. The Millennium Kids convoy will leave Perth on July the 5th and arrive home on July the 13th.
The purpose of this trip is to:
- Undertake two fund raising workshops in Mafikeng as per youth meeting objectives car wash and doll making activity.
- Ascertain water infrastructure needs for Ntshidi and additional MKGP school projects
- Explore partnership potential with Roundabout Pty Ltd to establish water source in school locations
- Reconnect with Food and Trees for Africa to develop professional development framework for partner schools
- Deliver training program with young people in event management so local MKGP groups can roll out their events in January 2010 with a focus on water security, health and sport.
- Provide professional development with teachers to showcase student directed curriculum initiatives that are undertaken by MK in Australia.
| |  15-May-09
MK and CoSP Explore the Swan River!
The Millennium Kids members and the City of South Perth Sustainability Ambassadors travelled to New Norcia in March 2009 to discover the secrets of the Swan and Avon Rivers. The goal was to discover the culture, history and issues that the area faced and to educate our schools and local community ab... The Millennium Kids members and the City of South Perth Sustainability Ambassadors travelled to New Norcia in March 2009 to discover the secrets of the Swan and Avon Rivers. The goal was to discover the culture, history and issues that the area faced and to educate our schools and local community about ways to help our river systems. New Norcia was a great place to start the quest because in 1896 the monks followed the river until they found a suitable place to develop a place to build their community. We observed the dryness of the town and saw that each building had many rainwater tanks attached to them in order to conserve water. They also noticed the possible salinity problems that the community have encountered causing their well to turn salty only two years after settlement. They then travelled to Wyenning Mission, a farm in the area that has had some extra help from Penrhos College as they have been planting trees there for the last 10 years. They discovered the Avon River in Toodyay and saw the erosion and salinity that surrounds it. In Mundaring they found the pipeline that goes all the way to Kalgoorlie. That night, they went to Karakamia and were amazed at all the native animals they could see at night. Karakamia is special because the native animals can live happily in their habitat without the disruption from feral animals as the area is protected by a large fence. In order to get another view of the river and the environmental problems that inhabit it, the Millennium Kids and CoSP Sustainability Ambassadors decided to take a different approach to the area – Kayaking! They kayaked down the Swan River in Guildford and saw the erosion and the vegetation of the river banks and helped clean up the foreshore and were very well rewarded by the over consumption of TimTams! Over all, everyone had a fantastic time and learned so much more about or river. The kids who participated in the exploration of the river are planning to let their schools know all about the information they found. If you would like to see the photographs from out trip visit www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com!
| |  15-May-09
St Hilda's Adopt Bushland
St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls have been looking at ways to help the bushland next to their school. They want to make the bushland, their school and their community a better place by protecting it. At school they have been looking at ways to make their school more sustainable. The girls have i... St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls have been looking at ways to help the bushland next to their school. They want to make the bushland, their school and their community a better place by protecting it. At school they have been looking at ways to make their school more sustainable. The girls have interviewed other members of their school community to see what they would like to see in their school. The results showed that they wanted to see more native plants and maybe a pond in their school to make it a nicer place to study and learn. This would also provide a habitat for more native animals to live in and would provide shade for people who walk in the area.
They have also leant about the poverty in South Africa and want to help a school in Mafeking by raising money and awareness. They are finding out ways that they can recycle things they have into products that the children in Africa need. They want to do this because they were affected by the fact the children of the school want access to clean water, stationary and toilets for their teachers.
In the near future the students are hoping they can help this African school and to see their vision for their school become real.
Visit www.thebigswitchexperiment.blogspot.com to listen to a radio interview with some St Hilda's students!
| | 26-Mar-09
xhIBIT aLBANY<
Millennium Kids is working with the Western Australian Museum and the Commissioner for Children and Young People to offer young people an opportunity to have a say about how the Museum presents it’s exhibitions and collection through an innovative series of workshops and training activities. It’s al... Millennium Kids is working with the Western Australian Museum and the Commissioner for Children and Young People to offer young people an opportunity to have a say about how the Museum presents it’s exhibitions and collection through an innovative series of workshops and training activities. It’s all part of a new initiative to consult with young people about the future directions of the Western Australian Museum.
Millennium Kids will be scouring the region for inspiring people with stories to tell or artefacts to exhibit to inspire young people in the lead up to the workshops.
The MK Team have already consulted with a number of people who have some fabulous exhibit concepts around the things that inspire them about the local region.
| | 20-Feb-09
Conservation Week 2009
Conservation Week is WA’s largest community focused environment event that celebrates our unique environment and promotes awareness and action towards a sustainable future.
Conservation Week connects the community and the environment and celebrates the work of community groups, conservation ... Conservation Week is WA’s largest community focused environment event that celebrates our unique environment and promotes awareness and action towards a sustainable future.
Conservation Week connects the community and the environment and celebrates the work of community groups, conservation organisations and individuals across the State who work tirelessly to protect of our unique environment and promote sustainability.
Get involved! Enter the Biodiversity in our Backyard Photography Competition, register to take part in the Backyard in our Backyard Citizen Science Project, nominate someone for a Conservation Award or organise your own Conservation Week event!
Head to www.conservationwa.asn.au to find out more about:
Conservation Week 2009,
Biodiversity in our Backyard Photography Competition,
Biodiversity in our Backyard Citizen Science Project,
Conservation Council of WA Conservation Awards.
Conservation Week is proudly brought to you by the Conservation Council of Western Australia Inc
| |  9-Feb-09
Susie's Ad Goes to Print <
Susie (10) participated in MKY2Y@MRBKA, an MK facilitated youth workshop in Mirrabooka, November 2009, to help promote safe public transport in the area. Over 60 young people attended the workshop and Susie was one of three young people who had their ideas selected to create into a Transperth ad. Su... Susie (10) participated in MKY2Y@MRBKA, an MK facilitated youth workshop in Mirrabooka, November 2009, to help promote safe public transport in the area. Over 60 young people attended the workshop and Susie was one of three young people who had their ideas selected to create into a Transperth ad. Susie was given a camera to record where public transport could take her. Susie worked with Spence from Cooch Creative to hone her ideas and sign off on the finished product. Her photos were included in the final ad.
' I can't wait to see my advertisement on the bus, ' an excited Susie said.
Susie was presented with her own framed ad at a Special Assembly at her school on 6th February. Susie is seen here with Spence from Cooch Creative and Catrina, Millennium Kids Inc.
Thanks to the Public Transport Authority for sponsoring this event.
| |  16-Jan-09
Postive Comments from Sponsor
Following the very successful Millennium Kids Graducation and Alumni Launch, Alcoa of Australia National Partnerships Manager, Sarah Fordham emailed Millennium Kids with these positive comments.
"Dear Megan,
Thank you so much for a wonderfully entertaining and inspirational presentation o... Following the very successful Millennium Kids Graducation and Alumni Launch, Alcoa of Australia National Partnerships Manager, Sarah Fordham emailed Millennium Kids with these positive comments.
"Dear Megan,
Thank you so much for a wonderfully entertaining and inspirational presentation on Wednesday night.
You and your colleagues are to be congratulated in the way you celabrated our 12 year partnership and I look forward to working with you to capture this great story for our website.
Kindest regards,
Sarah "
| |  6-Jan-09
SAVING CYGNETS
Bright and early at 6.30am 100 volunteers from around the Perth Southern Metropolitan area arrived at Forrestdale Lake with a mission.
Their mission was to save Black Swan cygnets from being ravaged by the feral foxes in the area.
Over the past 5 years black swan numbers have depleted due to l... Bright and early at 6.30am 100 volunteers from around the Perth Southern Metropolitan area arrived at Forrestdale Lake with a mission.
Their mission was to save Black Swan cygnets from being ravaged by the feral foxes in the area.
Over the past 5 years black swan numbers have depleted due to lack of water in the lake, which in turn provides the perfect opportunity for the baby swans to be hunted by foxes.
Millennium Kids and Native Arc volunteers joined the Department of Environment and Conservation, Darling Range Wildlife Shelter, Malubillai, Seabird Rescue and the Waterbird Conservation Group to herd the 12 animals from the centre of the lake into a hessian pen.
The birds were then given a medical check and taken to Perth Zoo until they are old enough to fly.
This was the first rescue of Black Swans in Western Australia.
| | 28-Dec-08
Yes! WE CAN!<
Al Gore Addresses the 2008 UN Climate Talks in Poland
On December 12, 2008, Al Gore addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. Watch him deliver his powerful speech here, then signup to join the movement to Repower America with 100% clean electricity within 10 years. ... Al Gore Addresses the 2008 UN Climate Talks in Poland
On December 12, 2008, Al Gore addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. Watch him deliver his powerful speech here, then signup to join the movement to Repower America with 100% clean electricity within 10 years.
Learn more about how 100% clean electricity within 10 years will help rebuild our economy, end our addiction to oil, and help solve the climate crisis at
www.wecansolveit.org
| |  4-Dec-08
Graduation and Alumni Launch SUCCESS!
On Wednesday 3rd December Millennium Kids held the Inaugural Graduation and Alumni Launch at Universial Bar.
The Millennium Kids Graduation and Alumni Launch showcased the amazing accomplishments of Millennium Kids members, celebrated more than a decade of Millennium Kids history, achievements an... On Wednesday 3rd December Millennium Kids held the Inaugural Graduation and Alumni Launch at Universial Bar.
The Millennium Kids Graduation and Alumni Launch showcased the amazing accomplishments of Millennium Kids members, celebrated more than a decade of Millennium Kids history, achievements and the exciting times ahead!
Guests heard the inspirational Millennium Kids stories, listened to cherished memories, and saw some films and photographs that have been dug out of the Millennium Kids archive!
2008 has seen Millennium Kids’ biggest growth with thousands of children being directly involved in Millennium Kids programs and projects. Who would have thought that this International children’s sustainability organisation was started by five primary school children in their teacher’s backyard 12 years ago?!
In those 12 years Millennium Kids has established itself as one of Western Australia’s premiere youth-run not-for-profits, listening to the opinions of young people and giving them the skills they need to make change in their communities.
As part of this exciting event 20 young people were the first to graduate with a Certificate I in Leadership & Environmental Citizenship, as a result of the partnership between Millennium Kids, Alcoa of Australia and Challenger TAFE.
As so many young people have moved in and out of the organisation through the Kids Helping Kids Conference, the Youth Board and the Odyssey program MK took this opportunity to launch the Millennium Kids Alumni, to harness the incredible network of people who have developed from 12 year olds into young professionals in corporate, government and community organisations around the world.
| |  4-Dec-08
MK saves over 2000kg of Greenhouse Gas!
On 4th December Millennium Kids Youth Board Members, Kate Laurendi (21) and Megan Anderson (24) were invited to speak at a children's conference on Climate Change in Surabya!
To do our part for the enviroment we spoke at the conference via a teleconference on Skype!
We calculated that by doing... On 4th December Millennium Kids Youth Board Members, Kate Laurendi (21) and Megan Anderson (24) were invited to speak at a children's conference on Climate Change in Surabya!
To do our part for the enviroment we spoke at the conference via a teleconference on Skype!
We calculated that by doing this we saved over 2000kg of Greenhouse Gas in travelling alone!!
| |  5-Nov-08
Gaining Event Management Knowledge MK Style
Hello! My name is Gracie Emery and I’ve currently been doing work experience with the Millennium Kids Team, I’m involved with the INSTEP program which is linked to my school Iona Presentation College. I have been with Millennium Kids only for one semester and have been gaining knowledge and understa... Hello! My name is Gracie Emery and I’ve currently been doing work experience with the Millennium Kids Team, I’m involved with the INSTEP program which is linked to my school Iona Presentation College. I have been with Millennium Kids only for one semester and have been gaining knowledge and understanding on events management out in the work place. So far I have helped out with the West Australian Youth Environment Conference which was held at Aquinas College, learning how to organise a large event such as this was interesting and I was faced with exciting challenges. The day was filled with very informative activities and I have come away with new knowledge about the environment and how I can do my bit to help it. Working with Millennium Kids has made me think more efficient about how I can help the environment whilst getting a taste of events management.
| |  20-Oct-08
Thornlie Illustrates the Message!
Five Year 10 students from Thornlie Senior High School are looking forward to
having their work showcased to the public.
On the 20th of October 2008, Millennium Kids, together with the Public Transport
Authority will present the four Year 10 students involved in the “Graffiti versus Urban
Art” Y... Five Year 10 students from Thornlie Senior High School are looking forward to
having their work showcased to the public.
On the 20th of October 2008, Millennium Kids, together with the Public Transport
Authority will present the four Year 10 students involved in the “Graffiti versus Urban
Art” Youth Forum with the final advertisement they produced as part of the
workshop they participated in.
Sara-Louise Stokes, Jessica Williams, Damien Lim and Stephanie Murphy worked as a
team and designed an advertisement that consisted of a cartoon promoting the antigraffiti
message ‘Tag On, Tag Off, But Don’t Tag the Train’.
The cartoon, which illustrates children’s concerns in relation to graffiti, was placed on
all trains travelling around Perth and viewed by many young people.
‘It is very rewarding to see young people getting involved with projects like this and
see their work get recognised and viewed by so many other young people’ says
Megan Anderson, Millennium Kids Education Officer. ‘Millennium Kids is very proud to
present the students involved in the design of the cartoon ad a copy of their work,
Millennium Kids and the Public Transport Authority recognise their efforts in
promoting this cause.’
The Youth Forum is a Millennium Kids initiative that aims to give young people a
voice, allowing them to take action in regards to their concerns.
For more information about the “Graffiti versus Urban Art” Youth Forum, Millennium
Kids or any other Millennium Kids initiatives please contact the Millennium Kids Office
on (08) 9364 1200 or visit www.millenniumkids.com.a
| |  13-Oct-08
SURF COMP SUCCESS
Congratulations to all of the young people who took part in The Esperance Inaugural Grom Sess on Saturday 11th October. The event was purely developed and organised by a group of Esperance Senior High School Year 10 Students as apart of The Quest Program, sponsored by BHP Billiton.
A fantastic d... Congratulations to all of the young people who took part in The Esperance Inaugural Grom Sess on Saturday 11th October. The event was purely developed and organised by a group of Esperance Senior High School Year 10 Students as apart of The Quest Program, sponsored by BHP Billiton.
A fantastic day was had by all. Once again, congratulations to the Youth Team for planning a FANTASTIC EVENT!
| |  8-Oct-08
St Hilda's Junior School Budding Reporters!
The West Australian Youth Environment Conference took place on the 19th and 20th of September 2008 with over 250 young people coming together to share their knowledge about sustainability and environmental leadership.
A team of 15 students from St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls Junior School a... The West Australian Youth Environment Conference took place on the 19th and 20th of September 2008 with over 250 young people coming together to share their knowledge about sustainability and environmental leadership.
A team of 15 students from St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls Junior School acted as the Millennium Kids Media Team, documenting the two days and gaining skills in print and broadcast journalism.
The girls interviewed a range of conference delegates about the conference and their workshops.
The students also lent their skills to interviews with some of the adults at the conference, including Millennium Kids Program Director Catrina Aniere, Millennium Kids Youth Board Member Megan Hudson and Conference Convener Arron Wood.
From the interviews the young ladies created a radio packages and a newsletter that will be emailed to all of the conference delegates.
| |  18-Sep-08
Esperance Surf Comp Postponed!!
The Esperance Inaugural Gromm Sess will be postponed until the 11th and 12th of October 2008 due to large swells predicted for this weekend.
The youth team managing the event met independently of their mentoring adults yesterday and decided that it was best to postpone the event to ensure the saf... The Esperance Inaugural Gromm Sess will be postponed until the 11th and 12th of October 2008 due to large swells predicted for this weekend.
The youth team managing the event met independently of their mentoring adults yesterday and decided that it was best to postpone the event to ensure the safety of their participants. ‘After hearing the weekend weather forecast of 6 metre swells on the Esperance coast we assessed the risks, and came to the decision that it was best to run the event at a later date.’ Said Mitchell Scott, Esperance Senior High School Year 10 student.
‘We called the Millennium Kids Office, and confirmed with them that it was not safe to go ahead at this time.’ He said.
Developed by a group of Year 10 students, The Inaugural Gromm Sess aims to open up opportunities for kids to learn skills and surf etiquette.
Branching from the BHP Billiton sponsored program called The Quest, the competition has helped young people plan and create inclusive events, bringing together local schools children to celebrate the Olympic Spirit and their local environment.
Facilitated by Millennium Kids Inc., a West Australian children’s sustainability organisation and Mentored by West Australian surfing legend and Surf Science University Lecturer Mike McAuliffe, the students have gained skills in public relations, event management, risk management and assessment and community involvement. The team has also organised community partnerships with the Esperance Life Saving Club, local businesses and they have had meetings with the Shire President.
The Inaugural Gromm Sess will be taking place on the 11th and 12th of October 2008.
If you would like more information about the Esperance Inaugural Gromm Sess, or The Quest Program, head to www.millenniumkids.com.au
| |  10-Sep-08
Surfing Event Makes ABC Heywire News!
A blog about The Quest Esperance surfing event, The 'Inaugrual Gromm Sess' has made ABC Heywire News!
The youth-run event will take place at 4ths Beach, Esperance on Saturday 20th September 2008.
Upon hearing about the 'Gromm Sess' Heywire asked Millennium Kids if they would like to post a blo... A blog about The Quest Esperance surfing event, The 'Inaugrual Gromm Sess' has made ABC Heywire News!
The youth-run event will take place at 4ths Beach, Esperance on Saturday 20th September 2008.
Upon hearing about the 'Gromm Sess' Heywire asked Millennium Kids if they would like to post a blog about it on their website.
Heywire is an ABC initiative that gives regional and rural young people a chance to have a voice within the media.
Check it out and comment on the blog!
http://blogs.abc.net.au/heywire/
| |  2-Sep-08
Wheel Chair Fun!
Wheelchair Fun!
Wheelchair Basketball was the flavour of the day when Kwinana school students participated in their very own kid-driven event, A Taste of China on the 21st August.
The Olympic celebration was a sports and cultural event that aimed to bring young people together, and celebrate d... Wheelchair Fun!
Wheelchair Basketball was the flavour of the day when Kwinana school students participated in their very own kid-driven event, A Taste of China on the 21st August.
The Olympic celebration was a sports and cultural event that aimed to bring young people together, and celebrate diverse abilities in the community as apart of The Quest program.
Leniana Masibaka, Year 6 student from Calista Primary explains that they wanted to celebrate the Paralympic sports and well as traditional Olympic sports at their event.
‘Paralympic Gold Medallist Priya Cooper was our Go For Gold Ambassador who taught us we can raise awareness of abilities within the community though playing fun games like wheelchair basketball,’ she said.
The children were lucky enough to have Brett Nichols from the Perth Wheelcats come down to the Kwinana Recquatic Centre to give them a lesson on how to be wheelchair basketball champions.
As well as wheelchair basketball, the kids participated netball, soccer, ping-pong, blindfolded rice eating competition.
| |  25-Aug-08
Kalogoorlie Completes Their Quest!
15 Schools from Kalgoorlie-Boulder came together on Monday 11th August 2008 for the kid-driven event, The Quest for Harmony.
Sponsored by BHP Billiton, the event aimed to celebrate the Olympic Spirit and Sustainability. Over 180 students directly participated in the Baton Relay, and well over 50... 15 Schools from Kalgoorlie-Boulder came together on Monday 11th August 2008 for the kid-driven event, The Quest for Harmony.
Sponsored by BHP Billiton, the event aimed to celebrate the Olympic Spirit and Sustainability. Over 180 students directly participated in the Baton Relay, and well over 500 students spectated at the race over the day.
The Harmony Baton Relay was Opened at the Mining Hall of Fame, and led around town by an Official Kalgoorlie-Boulder Police Escort, until it came to a close at 2pm at O’Connor Primary School.
The Kalgoorlie Quest Team would like to express a BIG thank you to all those who helped bring this event to life, Louanne Munz and Jennifer Scott from BHP Billiton, Dave 'Grillsy' Grills and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Police, Joanne Gray Lauren Chapman and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kathy and Harry from Goldrush Tours, The Goldfields Camp School and all the participating student's teachers and parents.
| |  25-Aug-08
WOW! Esperance's Sustainability Olympics!
The kids of Esperance held an Olympics of their own on Friday 15th August with Wow! A Fun Day.
Developed by the kids of Esperance with The Quest Program, Wow! A Fun Day looked at the sustainability principles of the 2008 games.
Kids took part in tree planting, recycled materials fashion sho... The kids of Esperance held an Olympics of their own on Friday 15th August with Wow! A Fun Day.
Developed by the kids of Esperance with The Quest Program, Wow! A Fun Day looked at the sustainability principles of the 2008 games.
Kids took part in tree planting, recycled materials fashion show and non-competitive team games such as egg and spoon race.
The Esperance Quest Team would like to say thank you to Ian Hartley from the Esperance Regional Forum and Georgia Ryan from the Shire of Esperance, and Louanne Munz and Amanda Barret from BHP Billiton for all their help and assistance.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Inaugural Esperance Gromm Sess, run by a team of students from Esperance Senior High School to be held on the 20th September 2008.
| |  19-Aug-08
Millennium Kids Odyssey Program: Applications now open!
Great news! Applications for the next Environmental Citizenship & Project Management Program are now open for young people from 16 years and over!
For more information, please refer to the Events session of Millennium Kids website, contact MK’s office on (08) 9364 1200 or email info@millenniumkid... Great news! Applications for the next Environmental Citizenship & Project Management Program are now open for young people from 16 years and over!
For more information, please refer to the Events session of Millennium Kids website, contact MK’s office on (08) 9364 1200 or email info@millenniumkids.com.au.
| |  19-Aug-08
Go The Quest Performance!!
Monica Main and Quintin George have brought The Quest Alive with Go The Quest Performance.
Go The Quest Performance is a children’s play that celebrates the Olympic Spirit and the 2008 Olympic ideals of sustainability, harmony and friendship.
Professional actors, Monica Main (Ship to Shore) an... Monica Main and Quintin George have brought The Quest Alive with Go The Quest Performance.
Go The Quest Performance is a children’s play that celebrates the Olympic Spirit and the 2008 Olympic ideals of sustainability, harmony and friendship.
Professional actors, Monica Main (Ship to Shore) and Quintin George (Captain Cleanup) have come together to write a play that embraces the great tenets of the Olympic spirit including, peace, co-operation, and fun.
The play is set in Ancient Athens, where two Heralds from Ancient Greece, Aspiration and Perspiration, are given the task of travelling through time to make sure the modern Olympics is upholding the true spirit of the Ancient Games.
Their Quest takes them on a marvellous journey of discovery far from their home in Ancient Greece to a new land called Australia. Along the way they find out all sorts of things about the modern Olympics and they realise the true spirit of the Olympics lives on in some unexpected places. And like every good trip there’s some singing involved…
The inspiration for this play stems from the children who developed The Quest program. The Quest explores sustainability in their communities, teaching young people about learning about minerals and gold, and the culture and history of the international event.
| | 2-Aug-08
Surf Session for Gromms - Esperance<
Millennium Kids Facilitators visied Esperance this week with Mike McAuliffe,a pro surfer from Maragaret River,WA, to work with younG people from Esperance Senior High School. The Year 10 students were doing the last planning stage of The Quest - Surf Competition of Olympic Proportions. The students ... Millennium Kids Facilitators visied Esperance this week with Mike McAuliffe,a pro surfer from Maragaret River,WA, to work with younG people from Esperance Senior High School. The Year 10 students were doing the last planning stage of The Quest - Surf Competition of Olympic Proportions. The students worked with Mike to do a risk management and assessment and planning for the event. The team met with local Shire Officers who could help them set up the event and discussed safety with the local Surf Rescue Club.
'It is so exciting, said Mitch. 'We came up with the idea in February and can't beleive it is really going to happen. Thanks to Meg, Brendan and Cat from Millennium Kids Inc. And Mike and BHP Billition for helping us. This is going to be the first of many Gromm Sessions!'
The Gromm Session will be held in Esperance in September 2008. For more infromation call 08 93641200.
| |  18-Jul-08
Making A Chinese Dragon
On Tuesday a small group of the Kwinana Quest team went to the REmida resource centre to make a Chinese dragon that would open the Quest projects in Kargoorlie, Esperance and Kwinana.
The first thing that we did was brainstorm what characteristics our dragon had to have. They were: it had to b...
On Tuesday a small group of the Kwinana Quest team went to the REmida resource centre to make a Chinese dragon that would open the Quest projects in Kargoorlie, Esperance and Kwinana.
The first thing that we did was brainstorm what characteristics our dragon had to have. They were: it had to be compactable so it can be taken from place to place, colourful with spikes, scales and funky eyes, and it had to be light and easy to move around the stage.
Once we had a rough idea what the dragon was going to look like we started looking around for materials that would be suitable. The Basic shape of the dragon was made very quickly out of polystyrene packaging for the head and an air conditioning pipe for the body.
Decorating the dragon was the best part of the day we made some funky eyes, fire for the dragon to breathe and some colourful scales.
Once we had put most of the dragon together we took some photos of the group moving it around. After struggling while trying to move the dragon in sync with the whole group, we worked out that it was a lot better with only on person controlling the head.
The next thing that will happen will be to finish decorating the dragon and take it to the three Quest locations and use it in the opening ceremony.
| |  16-Jul-08
Priya Cooper - Go For Gold Ambassador!
Kwinana and Rockingham school students worked with Paralympian and Gold Medal winner Priya Cooper at The Quest Planning Meeting on the 1st July 2008, to create an inclusive event that will bring together local schools to celebrate the Olympic spirit.
The children came together for the third stage... Kwinana and Rockingham school students worked with Paralympian and Gold Medal winner Priya Cooper at The Quest Planning Meeting on the 1st July 2008, to create an inclusive event that will bring together local schools to celebrate the Olympic spirit.
The children came together for the third stage of The Quest Kwinana to design competitive and non-competitive events, meet a Gold Medal Winner, have a go in a wheelchair, learn some public speaking skills and become a volunteer for The Quest event that they will run at Kwinana Recquatic during the Olympic celebrations on 21st August 2008.
The Quest is a program that brings together the imaginative ideas of kids and the community to celebrate the Olympic Spirit and the Olympic ideals of ‘friendship, solidarity and fair play.’
Sponsored by BHP Billiton, the Official Diversified Minerals and Medals Sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and facilitated by Millennium Kids Inc., a West Australian based youth environmental organisation. The Quest will help children explore how to make this event inclusive of all people in their community, while learning about minerals and gold, and the culture and the history of the international event.
Kate Laurendi, Millennium Kids Quest Facilitator says ‘This interactive planning meeting will give kids the chance to work one-on-one with Priya Cooper to learn how to include people of all abilities into their event, write the invitations to all local schools and plan the Opening Ceremony and other associated activities.’
CALL TO ACTION! If you or your school would like to be involved in The Quest events register by calling 93641200 or emailing thequest@millenniumkids.com.au
-ENDS-
| |  16-Jul-08
Young Leader Develops a Tree Planting Day for Kids in the Community!
Roasting Marshmallows, eating a good old bush tucker lunch and planting trees is just what the City of South Perth Youth Ambassadors organised for Sunday the 6th of July 2008.
The City of South Perth funded a program that supports the improvement of students knowledge of their natural and physica... Roasting Marshmallows, eating a good old bush tucker lunch and planting trees is just what the City of South Perth Youth Ambassadors organised for Sunday the 6th of July 2008.
The City of South Perth funded a program that supports the improvement of students knowledge of their natural and physical environment. So far this year the COSP Youth Sustainability Ambassadors have developed a number of events that help children and young people understand the need to reduce their carbon footprint. The Footprints Tree Planting Day gave children and young people from the City of South Perth an opportunity to visit a farm in Brookton to plant trees, have a bush tucker lunch and find out what farmers are doing to help reduce their footprint and help reduce erosion and salinity.
The Tree Planting Day was held at Rocklea Farm, Brookton on the 6th of July 2008 from 8-30am to 5-30pm. This was a day to plant a tree, eat some bush tucker lunch and to learn about how greenhouse gas is effecting our environment and learning what farmers are doing to help the situation.
Over 50 young people and their families attended the event .The young people were supervised by Millennium Kids Alcoa Youth Mentors.
The day was filled with fun from the start. There was a beautiful scenic ride to the farm, driving through the Jarrah forest and then looking at all the farm animals on our way. When we got to the farm morning tea was served so we had enough energy for the tree planting. Then we headed out to the tree planting site. On the way out we were told the history of the tree planting. The farmers had planted over 100,000 trees over the past ten years.
We planted over 1000 trees in an area that had been eaten out by grasshoppers last summer. Then we went for a walk around the farm seeing other animals that they had on the farm. We also looked at all the trees that had been planted in the last few years.
For lunch we had a modern bushtucker experience with emu and kangaroo sausages on the menu. The kids chose them because kangaroos create very little methane and cows create 270 litres of methane a day. We also roasted marshmallows on the fire!
The young children had the opportunity to look and play with the sheep and lambs.
| | 16-Jul-08
Say Hello to Lili
My name is Lili Riecken, I’m from Brazil and have been in Australia since 2004. I came to Australia to study and am currently doing Public Relations and Tourism at Curtin University.
I have been given the opportunity to do my work experience at Millennium Kids. I’m very excited about learning ne... My name is Lili Riecken, I’m from Brazil and have been in Australia since 2004. I came to Australia to study and am currently doing Public Relations and Tourism at Curtin University.
I have been given the opportunity to do my work experience at Millennium Kids. I’m very excited about learning new skills and helping out Kate, Megan and the team at Millennium Kids.
After graduating in the end of the year I hope to find an enjoyable position which allows me to put into practice what I have learned throughout my degree and also expand my knowledge and develop new skills. Something else I really want is to be able to travel to developing countries as part of volunteer programs, the list of places I would like to go to is already huge!
| | 16-Jul-08
Millennium Kids team takes up SMARTi
It is a well known fact that cars are responsible for a large proportion of carbon dioxide emissions, therefore we can all make a huge difference to our Planet if we use other ways to get from home to work, school and other places we may want to go to.
SMARTi stands for Smarter Mobility Achievi... It is a well known fact that cars are responsible for a large proportion of carbon dioxide emissions, therefore we can all make a huge difference to our Planet if we use other ways to get from home to work, school and other places we may want to go to.
SMARTi stands for Smarter Mobility Achieving Reduced Traffic Initiative; it encourages people who work around the Canning Bridge to use alternative modes of transport from home to work. It also enables everyone to keep track of how much they have contributed to the environment by recording participant’s trips on an online Travel Log.
Using public transport is a great way to reduce carbon emissions, and we may even get to be a little more active, because we need to walk from home to the bus stop for example. Using a bike to travel the whole way can also do the trick!
The Millennium Kids team has just taken up the City of Melville SMARTi program. Megan has a bike and the rest of us smart rider cards!
| |  16-Jun-08
Arron Wood visits MK
Last week Arron Wood, the 2007 Prime Minister’s Award for the Environment winner joined Millennium Kids and students from Wesley College for a tour of Native ARC in Bibra Lake.
MK and the students showed Wood around the animal rehabilitation centre, and suggested it as a site for the second day o... Last week Arron Wood, the 2007 Prime Minister’s Award for the Environment winner joined Millennium Kids and students from Wesley College for a tour of Native ARC in Bibra Lake.
MK and the students showed Wood around the animal rehabilitation centre, and suggested it as a site for the second day of the WA Youth Environment Conference, which is to be held in September.
Workshops during the Conference will be facilitated by Wesley Students as apart of their community service program.
Workshops include feeding the joeys, ‘pimping’ the cages, tree planting and nursing the bobtails.
The other locations for the second day of the workshop include the Baldivis Children's Forrest and Aquinas College.
| |  10-Jun-08
Millennium Kids Wake Up! WA
Millennium Kids Inc. was interviewed on Access 31's premiere morning program, Wake Up! WA.
Millennium Kids Olivia, Kate and Ella joined Wake Up! presenter's Jason and Anita in a discussion about the recent Graffiti vs Urban Art Youth-2-Youth Consultation held in partnership with the Public Transp... Millennium Kids Inc. was interviewed on Access 31's premiere morning program, Wake Up! WA.
Millennium Kids Olivia, Kate and Ella joined Wake Up! presenter's Jason and Anita in a discussion about the recent Graffiti vs Urban Art Youth-2-Youth Consultation held in partnership with the Public Transport Authority.
If you would like more information about the Graffiti vs Urban Art program head to http://www.righttrack.wa.gov.au.
| |  9-Jun-08
COMMISSIONER AND MILLENNIUM KIDS SIGN COMMITMENT TO YOUNG AUSTRALIANS<
COMMISSIONER AND MILLENNIUM KIDS SIGN COMMITMENT TO YOUNG AUSTRALIANS
Commissioner for Children and Young People Michelle Scott and Millennium Kids pledged their commitment to the wellbeing of young Australians in a signing ceremony at Baldivis yesterday (Sunday June 8).
The Commissioner and Mil...
COMMISSIONER AND MILLENNIUM KIDS SIGN COMMITMENT TO YOUNG AUSTRALIANS
Commissioner for Children and Young People Michelle Scott and Millennium Kids pledged their commitment to the wellbeing of young Australians in a signing ceremony at Baldivis yesterday (Sunday June 8).
The Commissioner and Millennium Kids co-president Gabby Knowles signed the Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth’s Commitment to Young Australians which outlines seven principles that are essential to improving the wellbeing of Australia’s young people.
“The signing of this Commitment is a public acknowledgement of my dedication to always strive to make Western Australia a better place for all children and young people,” Ms Scott said.
“Children are our most precious asset. They need to be cherished, nurtured and loved for whom they are now, and for the sake of whom they will be in the future.
“This commitment acknowledges the valuable contributions children and young people make to the community, their right to live in a safe environment that encourages their potential and the need to support and resource families to nurture children and young people.”
The signing was held at a Millennium Kids’ The Quest for Sustainability event at Baldivis Children’s Forest sponsored by BHP Billiton where children and their families planted trees, and learnt about native fauna and Indigenous culture in the area.
“It was great to be able to sign the agreement as working with children to develop a positive sustainable future is our main business at Millennium Kids. It was wonderful that so many are committed to children and young people.” Said Gabby Howlett.
Find out more about the Commitment to Young Australians at www.aracy.org.au
| |  22-May-08
GRAFFITI VS URBAN ART WORKSHOP
Eighty five young people attended the Graffiti vs Urban Art Workshop on 8th May 2008, held in partnership with the Public Transport Authority and Millennium Kids Inc. The young people came from a cross section of the community and ranged in age from 15 – 17 years. Students from 13 schools from arou... Eighty five young people attended the Graffiti vs Urban Art Workshop on 8th May 2008, held in partnership with the Public Transport Authority and Millennium Kids Inc. The young people came from a cross section of the community and ranged in age from 15 – 17 years. Students from 13 schools from around the Perth southern suburbs attended.
The one-day workshop consisted of a series of workshops to look at what graffiti was, the motivation behind young people participating in graffiti vandalism and how young people thought this issue could be addressed.
Like all Millennium Kids Youth Consultations this was a safe environment for the participants to express their views, opinions and concerns about graffiti vs Urban Art.
All of the outcomes from the students will go directly to the Public Transport Authority and the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Michelle Scott.
| |  2-May-08
The Baton Relay by Zeke and Josie-Mae
During two workshops in February and April we have been making a Baton Relay. To plan this we went to the Mining Hall of Fame. The Baton relay Committee Ben, Jake, Cody, Jonathon and Kaewyn have been looking at the baton relay track to make sure it has all the schools participating in this event.
... During two workshops in February and April we have been making a Baton Relay. To plan this we went to the Mining Hall of Fame. The Baton relay Committee Ben, Jake, Cody, Jonathon and Kaewyn have been looking at the baton relay track to make sure it has all the schools participating in this event.
On the 30th April Catrina, Kate and Kathy the bus driver from Goldrush Tours took us along the planned baton relay track.
The Baton Relay is to start at the Chinese Garden in the Hall of Harmony and Happiness, then to Hannanas Primary School and so on.
The finishing school is O’Connor Primary.
I hope to see you there.
By Zeke Hodgson and Josie-Mae North,O'Connor Primary School Students
| |  2-May-08
Sun, Sea and Sustainability
On Saturday the 19th of April twenty relative strangers were bought together by a passion to learn about sustainability and environmental leadership. After spending eight days together learning about risk management, teamwork, communication and problem solving we have returned as a team. Through dis... On Saturday the 19th of April twenty relative strangers were bought together by a passion to learn about sustainability and environmental leadership. After spending eight days together learning about risk management, teamwork, communication and problem solving we have returned as a team. Through disconnection from dependencies on mod cons, we gained a greater connection to nature, sleeping under the stars of Exmouth and Sea Kayaking through the Cape Range National Park. We spent an afternoon monitoring the endangered Rock Wallaby population of Pilgramunna Gorge, and learned about the Green Teams 10 Steps while performing an audit of the Yardie Creek Gorge. Highlights were snorkelling with dolphins, turtles and a myriad of fish and eating freshly caught fish and handmade pasta.
We learned about different leadership and communication styles and the situations in which they are most effective. The program was enriched by the diversity of its members, aged from 14 to 31, and from a variety of backgrounds, Indigenous, European, urban, country and international. We all came away with a greater understanding of each others points of view, passions, opinions and ideas. We learned that under the skin, we are not all that different from each other, and together the diversity of our experiences empowers us to look at problems from many angles to find solutions. The most valuable aspect of the program was that we learnt through action and experience, encompassing the Millennium Kids directive of active citizenship.
| |  4-Apr-08
Think about your waste!
Did you know?
Each Australian household produces around 1000kgs of waste per year, half of which is food scraps. If organic waste goes to landfill it rots, making methane (a greenhouse gas that pollutes our atmosphere). A typical mix of waste from a home is 56% food/garden waste, 19% paper and ... Did you know?
Each Australian household produces around 1000kgs of waste per year, half of which is food scraps. If organic waste goes to landfill it rots, making methane (a greenhouse gas that pollutes our atmosphere). A typical mix of waste from a home is 56% food/garden waste, 19% paper and cardboard, 6% plastics, 5% glass, 3% metal and 11% other.
Other materials like paper, food containers made of steel, aluminium, cardboard or plastic and anything with the recycle logo have been energy-intensive products to make. They are still valuable and by recycling them, we save resources. Making a new product from recycled material uses less energy than starting from scratch and helps minimise landfill.
| |  4-Apr-08
Welcoming Kate
In January this year Kate Laurendi joined the Millennium Kids staff as the Media Officer.
After completing her Mass Communications degree at Murdoch University, Kate was offered the position at Millennium Kids, working particularly on the BHP Billiton funded project – The Quest.
Soon to be 2... In January this year Kate Laurendi joined the Millennium Kids staff as the Media Officer.
After completing her Mass Communications degree at Murdoch University, Kate was offered the position at Millennium Kids, working particularly on the BHP Billiton funded project – The Quest.
Soon to be 21, Kate has been a Millennium Kid for seven years now. She first became introduced to the organisation after attending the 2002 Millennium Kids Children’s Environmental Conference as a year nine representative of Pinjarra Senior High School.
Since then she has been on the youth-board participating in a majority of Millennium Kids activities, and she was the 18-25 youth-board President for 06-07.
Kate was a participant and facilitator of the ALOCA and Challenger TAFE Sponsored Youth Leadership and Environmental Citizenship Course at the Ningaloo Reef. With that training she ran a fundraiser in conjunction with Matilda Bay Restaurant, raising $10, 000 for the Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa.
As a journalist and public relations student Kate also volunteered on Perth’s first youth community radio station Groove 101.7FM, hosting a variety of show’s including the Thursday Bite, Groove’s environmental show. The Thursday Bite included an hour segment called the Millennium Kids Corner, which told the stories of Millennium Kids young people, and the fantastic environmental and leadership projects they were working on.
Kate is very excited about the future of Millennium Kids and what she is able to learn over the coming year. Eventually, she dreams of a hosting or producing television show with the ethos and mission of Millennium Kids – not forgetting the triple bottom line! - to make young people aware and active in their local environment, while having fun and eating chocolate!
| |  26-Mar-08
Gabby Joins the Team!!
My name is Gabby Howlett and I have just been employed by Millennium Kids to help Megan with the TravelSmart and Sustainability Roadshows. My past with Millennium Kids has consisted of participating in the Alcoa and Challenger Tafe funded Environmental Citizenship and Youth Leadership Program in Ni... My name is Gabby Howlett and I have just been employed by Millennium Kids to help Megan with the TravelSmart and Sustainability Roadshows. My past with Millennium Kids has consisted of participating in the Alcoa and Challenger Tafe funded Environmental Citizenship and Youth Leadership Program in Ningaloo in 2004, co- facilitating an art project with Millennium Kids at the A2E2 Conference later that year and becoming a youth board member for 2008.
I am currently studying Sustainable Development at Murdoch University in the hope to extend and use my skills in incorporating sustainable practices in to environmental education and international and community development in Australia and around the world.
| |  18-Mar-08
Millennium Kids at Jack Johnson Concert!
Hawaiian music superstar Jack Johnson will be landing on West Australian shores in late March with his latest world tour.
Jack will be supporting Millennium Kids by showcasing the International Turtle Monitoring Partnership Project at his upcoming Perth Concert at Members Equity Stadium.
He al... Hawaiian music superstar Jack Johnson will be landing on West Australian shores in late March with his latest world tour.
Jack will be supporting Millennium Kids by showcasing the International Turtle Monitoring Partnership Project at his upcoming Perth Concert at Members Equity Stadium.
He also kindly donated 5 double passes to his concert for Millennium Kids to give away. Winners from all over the Metropolitan area, and even as far away as Esperance we ecstatic to get hold of the prized tickets.
In order to win young people had to turn up at a Millennium Kids event with something TURTLE – like a ninja turtle, a Pokemon, even dress up like one, to go into the draw!
Congratulations to the deserving winners!
Get your tickets to Jack Johnson, and come say Hi at the Millennium Kids display!
| | 5-Mar-08
Report from Georgina at The Quest Esperance <
Report from Georgina at The Quest Esperance
Developed by Millennium Kids and BHP Billiton
On the 26th and 27th of Feb Millennium kids held a leadership program for children aged 10-17. Four Esperance schools attended and thoroughly enjoyed it as well as myself. Millennium kids is a worldwide e... Report from Georgina at The Quest Esperance
Developed by Millennium Kids and BHP Billiton
On the 26th and 27th of Feb Millennium kids held a leadership program for children aged 10-17. Four Esperance schools attended and thoroughly enjoyed it as well as myself. Millennium kids is a worldwide environmental youth organisation run by kids for kids, working on community development projects and solving sustainability issues. During the workshop we worked on 2 projects, had special guests and covered some school curriculum subjects in a practical way.
• The Quest :Our local projects
During the workshop we worked on 2 projects .Our projects had to relate to the words Olympics, China, gold and minerals, Esperance and sustainability. We will run them ourselves once planning is finished. The projects are a surf contest and mini Olympics. We had to plan the cost of our projects, gather the materials we needed, assess the risks and find solutions for them. Once we had covered most aspects of our projects we learnt about sponsors and how to approach them. BHP Billiton is sponsoring the program.
• Special guests
During the program some special guests visited us. A BHP Billiton representative watched our progress and informed us how BHP is working to make their business sustainable. A Millennium Kids representative and surfer came from Dunsborough to support us in our projects over the two days. We were also visited by an Esperance Shire representative who has shown interest in our projects.
• This program relates to the school curriculum because it teaches us life skills, project management, teamwork, risk assessment and leadership skills. Our projects attend to leadership, peace and lifestyle issues in the community.
During the two days I enjoyed how we were given the chance to do something for the community, while getting the support of adults. Everyone worked together and supported each others ideas. This program is really good for self confidence and leadership skills.
It came at the right time giving me more confidence to put forward my ideas at school and in life.
This program will be repeated at some stage and I believe it would benefit children from Our Lady Star Of The Sea if they came along. Where from here ? I am going to Bremer Bay for an other 3 day workshop from the 10th to 12th of March. Selected students from Esperance, Kalgoorlie and Kwinana will learn & experience more about leadership. On our first day we will learn about leadership and team work through a sea kayaking adventure. So stay in tune for more details next time.
Georgina Year 7
| |  29-Feb-08
The Quest to Learn in Kwinana!
On the 14th and 15th February BHP Billiton, the Official Diversified Minerals and Medals Sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in partnership with Millennium Kids Inc. gave young people from Kwinana the opportunity to recreate the excitement and values generated by the Olympics in an exciting n... On the 14th and 15th February BHP Billiton, the Official Diversified Minerals and Medals Sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in partnership with Millennium Kids Inc. gave young people from Kwinana the opportunity to recreate the excitement and values generated by the Olympics in an exciting new program called ‘The Quest’.
Kwinana school students from Calista Primary, North Parmelia Primary, Bertram Primary and Settlers Primary have taken up the marathon task of The Quest. The Quest workshop series, run entirely by West Australian kids, taught students about the past, present and future, focussing on sustainability, minerals and gold, culture and history through the Olympic Games.
The students also undertook a Community Audit where they identified what they like and what they’re concerned about within Kwinana.
The aspects they liked about their community included, parks, their friends and native animals.
However the kids were concerned with many things including, crime, pollution, graffiti and whaling.
Each school team will be working with BHP Billiton and Millennium Kids to develop project plans to address their concerns and bring them together in a community event in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics, developed by kids for kids.
Project ideas included an Olympic day full of fun games, where every person within Kwinana was able to be involved and experience the Olympic spirit. Fun games include egg and spoon races, sack races and other team games.
Leniana Masibaka, from Calista Primary School is very excited by the opportunities that she has been offered by the BHP Billiton Quest Team, and can’t wait to get their community projects underway. She most enjoyed everything she learnt during the workshops. “My favourite thing about The Quest is that we get to learn about the Olympic games and about leadership skills. I liked it how all the teams communicated together.’ She said.
‘I liked creating our own Olympic Games, drawing what I like and what I don’t like about my community, and most of all making the tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows!’
| |  29-Feb-08
Going for Gold in Kalgoorlie
Kalgoorlie school students from North Kalgoorlie Primary School, Boulder Primary School, O’Connor Primary School and John Paul College have taken up the mammouth task of The Quest. The Quest workshop series, run entirely by West Australian kids, taught students about the past, present and future, f... Kalgoorlie school students from North Kalgoorlie Primary School, Boulder Primary School, O’Connor Primary School and John Paul College have taken up the mammouth task of The Quest. The Quest workshop series, run entirely by West Australian kids, taught students about the past, present and future, focussing on sustainability, minerals and gold, culture and history through the Olympic Games.
Like the Kwinana participants they undertook a Community Audit where they identified what they like and what they’re concerned about within Kalgoorlie
The aspects they liked about their community included, native animals, the water treatment plant, the new recycling facilities and the rare thunderstorms.
However the kids were concerned with crime, graffiti, the lack of tyre recycling and the fact that it was free to dump rubbish at the land fill.
Each school team will be working with BHP Billiton and Millennium Kids to develop project plans to address their concerns and bring them together in a community event in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics, developed by kids for kids.
Jonathon Shapcott, year 7 of North Kalgoorlie Primary school is very excited about the coming months. ‘I am excited about the Quest because I have never done anything like this and it is a good experience for me.’ He said.
Project ideas included an Olympic day full of fun games, where every person within Kalgoorlie was able to be involved and experience the Olympic spirit. The children also have planned to hold a Chinese Day, where they celebrate the host-country of the 2008 Olympic Games.
| |  7-Feb-08
Introducing Dianna Wright!
Dianna Wright is Aboriginal and Nigerian she has just graduated from Sevenoaks Senior College. She has been involved with Millennium Kids since 2006. January saw the part-time employment of Dianna to the Millennium Kids office as the Millennium Kids Indigenous Student Intern. She has been involved w... Dianna Wright is Aboriginal and Nigerian she has just graduated from Sevenoaks Senior College. She has been involved with Millennium Kids since 2006. January saw the part-time employment of Dianna to the Millennium Kids office as the Millennium Kids Indigenous Student Intern. She has been involved with The Right Track program, which began on the Armadale train line. She has also participated in the Millennium Kids Indigenous leadership Program in Walpole. Just recently Dianna went to Canberra for a National Indigenous Community Youth Leadership Program, which brought together, 60 Indigenous Youths ranging from 18- 25 years old from all over Australia. Dianna will be studying Primary school teaching at ECU in 2008.
| |  15-Jan-08
Wanted! Schools from Kwinana, Kalgoorlie and Esperance to sign up for The Quest!
In February Millennium Kids Inc in partnership with BHP Billiton, will give school students aged 10-17 the chance to participate in The Quest in the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games.
The Quest, a 2-day Sustainability Roadshow run by kids for kids will teach students about the past, present and f... In February Millennium Kids Inc in partnership with BHP Billiton, will give school students aged 10-17 the chance to participate in The Quest in the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games.
The Quest, a 2-day Sustainability Roadshow run by kids for kids will teach students about the past, present and future, focussing on the environment, culture and history of the Olympic Games.
The Sustainability Roadshow has been designed by a team of 30 young people, aged 10-25, at a planning and teamwork camp held at Fairbridge Village last October.
Kwinana, Esperance and Kalgoorlie will each have ten schools involved. Each school will then elect ten students to be involved. As well as having lots of fun, they will learn about leadership, environment, international relations and culture.
As part of the Sustainability Roadshow, participants will undertake a Community Audit where they will identify what they like and what they’re concerned about within their town. This will form the basis of the projects they will be rolling out in the lead up to the Olympics.
Projects will be based on the themes of culture, history, physical activity and environment.
Thirty of the most enthusiastic student leaders from the Sustainability Roashows will have the opportunity to take part in a specialist leadership program in Bremer Bay in March.
The students elected for the leadership program will become the MK Quest Team for their town and they will be overseeing and coordinating all of the kid-driven initiatives.
Teachers will also join in on the fun with Professional Development being provided by Millennium Kids and the Sustainable Schools Initiative WA.
If you or your school would like to be involved please call Megan Hudson at Millennium Kids on 9364 1200 or 0408 917 196. Places are limited, and registrations close on the 11th February 2008.
| |  15-Jan-08
Millennium Kids Supports Groove 101.7FM
Groove 101.7FM has been a fantastic resource to Millennium Kids Inc. This non-profit youth community radio station gives Millennium Kids, the opportunity to
empower others to help care for the environment over the radio waves.
You may have heard it through the grapevine that Groove 101.7FM recen... Groove 101.7FM has been a fantastic resource to Millennium Kids Inc. This non-profit youth community radio station gives Millennium Kids, the opportunity to
empower others to help care for the environment over the radio waves.
You may have heard it through the grapevine that Groove 101.7FM recently applied for its licence renewal for the next 5 year period and have been distraught to find that the Australian Communications and Media Authority have handed down the preliminary view to NOT renew the licence.
Groove management is currently in the process of trying to start up an effective campaign and petition to gather support from our listeners, friends and the youth of Perth as evidence to our case.
Over the past year Groove 101.7FM has supported Millennium Kids by airing the opinions, concerns and dreams of young people aged 7-25 regarding the environment, leadership and youth citizenship. The children feel they now have a voice in the community because a Groove is actually listeningto what they have to say.
Groove has also helped in Millennium Kids celebrations. They brought DJs, dancers, Groove volunteers and prizes down to Mandurah for young people at the Billy Dower Youth Centre drop-in-centre.
Consequentially we believe Groove 101.7FM is an asset young people, and a fantastic tool they can use to empower each other to make positive change in the
community.
So jump on a computer and go to:
http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/help-groove-101-7fm-stay-on-air.html
Sign the petition and keep Groove 101.7FM on air.
| | 12-Jan-08
We Made It to the Top!
MK Walpole Odyssey team members made it to the top of Bluff Knoll at approx 8.30am yesterday morning Perth time. As a finale to their 7 day leadership training program,the team motivated, monitored and coached one another up and down the slopes before the tourists hit the trail. The physical and emo... MK Walpole Odyssey team members made it to the top of Bluff Knoll at approx 8.30am yesterday morning Perth time. As a finale to their 7 day leadership training program,the team motivated, monitored and coached one another up and down the slopes before the tourists hit the trail. The physical and emotional well being of the team was catered for, in keeping with the MK ethos, when MK Facilitator Cath Levett pulled a packet of chocolate coated coffee beans out - to help celebrate the moment when they all made it to the top. Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Ranges of Western Australia was the perfect opportunity to put their leadership and team work skills to the test. 1095 m above sea level, the 4 hour climb pulled the team together so they could all enjoy the spectacular views at the top. The climb was the culmination of a program that included: risk management and assessment, adventure planning, kayaking and bushwalking, cultural awareness, environmental citizenship and safety first. If you want more information about the MK Environmental Citizenship Program,sponsored by Alcoa of Australia, contact Millennium Kids Inc at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 15-Nov-07
The Quest - A new MK program sponsored by BHP Billiton<
Thirty young people ventured to Fairbridge WA Inc over the weekend to take part in a sustainability program with a difference. The students had been nominated by their schools to help develop THE QUEST, a program that will be showcased in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Kwinana in 2008. The only problem w... Thirty young people ventured to Fairbridge WA Inc over the weekend to take part in a sustainability program with a difference. The students had been nominated by their schools to help develop THE QUEST, a program that will be showcased in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Kwinana in 2008. The only problem was that the program had to be developed by kids for kids. BHP Billiton and Millennium Kids had agreed on a framework and mutual goals, but the kids had to develop the concepts and the program to be rolled out in the different locations with the key focus being on the Olympics 2008. And the kids came up with a feast of creative ideas to take on the road with them in 2008. Using materials from ReMida, the Creative Reuse Centre in Stirling the kids created a series of characters including Para Olympians, Greek Goddesses, Donkeys and their carts, journalists and commentators, a Cameleer named Wahid and a Chinese laundromat owner who will be woven into an Olympic performance and workshop series that will tour the locations in 2008.
For more information contact Millennium Kids Inc on 08 93641200.
| |  14-Nov-07
Children Raise Funds for MKGP South Africa<
In 2000, a team from North West Province in South Africa visited Millennium Kids in Western Australia. From that time on they forged a friendship that would see Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa develop as a small group of adults and young people determined to make change. The road has bee... In 2000, a team from North West Province in South Africa visited Millennium Kids in Western Australia. From that time on they forged a friendship that would see Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa develop as a small group of adults and young people determined to make change. The road has been difficult but the friendship and committment has not changed. Australian kids and South African kids committed to working together to make a better world. In 2007, Millennium Kids in Australia have raised over $A17,000 to help MKGP South Africa develop their own office. The money will also assist Stadt Primary School develop a Clean Up Molopo River Project and help Ntshidi Middle School develop a Food Garden Project. Many thanks to Leonie Moncrieff, Penrhos College and Kate Laurendi of Millennium Kids for working so hard to help. Thanks also to Maureen and Simon McDaniell for making the film 'Taste Of Africa' to help promote the work done by our good friends Mxolisi, Yvonne and their fabulous team. If you would like to raise funds please contact Millennium Kid Inc at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| |  6-Nov-07
Getting Down at Native ARC<
Millennium Kids volunteers spent three hours on Sunday 4th November at Native ARC, a wildlife rehabilitation centre, helping out the volunteers. Kids took a fancy to the 12 joeys that needed hand feeding and also helped out cleaning the bird cages. The youth volunteers also spent an hour in the vege... Millennium Kids volunteers spent three hours on Sunday 4th November at Native ARC, a wildlife rehabilitation centre, helping out the volunteers. Kids took a fancy to the 12 joeys that needed hand feeding and also helped out cleaning the bird cages. The youth volunteers also spent an hour in the vegetable garden mulching and pulling weeds. Thanks to Bunnings for the donation of mulch.
If you would like to join Millennium Kids at Native ARC in Bibra Lake please call 08 93641200 and register your name for our next volunteer day. Activities are led and supervised by Alcoa Youth Mentors.
| |  6-Nov-07
MK and Tunas Hijau at Perth Royal Show September 2007<
Millennium Kids and their partnerhip project spent 10 days at Perth Royal Show showcasing their environmental citizenship partnership. Delicious food, Indonesian music and arts were only part of the exciting displays at the Pavilion. MK members mingled with special guests, talked to Hon Kim Chance, ... Millennium Kids and their partnerhip project spent 10 days at Perth Royal Show showcasing their environmental citizenship partnership. Delicious food, Indonesian music and arts were only part of the exciting displays at the Pavilion. MK members mingled with special guests, talked to Hon Kim Chance, Minister for Agriculture and the Indonesian Consul Dr Madja and dined with members of the Indonesian Community at the Gala Dinner. It was an exciting week, especially when the Pavilion won the Best Pavilion Award at the show.
For more information about the environmental citizenship exchange contact Millennium Kids at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 6-Nov-07
MK and myspace - what do you think?<
Hello Millennium Kids
We are currently discussing how we could use myspace effectively to promote MK in Australia and around the world and to get kids communicating about the environment and sustainability issues.
Alex a MK member from England says:
"yeah that yould be good to see MK have a... Hello Millennium Kids
We are currently discussing how we could use myspace effectively to promote MK in Australia and around the world and to get kids communicating about the environment and sustainability issues.
Alex a MK member from England says:
"yeah that yould be good to see MK have a myspace up and running.
I could get aload of my friends interested that way and spread the word over to this country
there are many issues affecting Britain environmentally, and to be quite honest, the government responses to them have been apalling. there is not enough being done but the youth of this country do not care much for anything that does not directly affect themselves. it is a shame really but not much can be done at the moment. a change in attitude would be a big step in the right direction"
Please send us your ideas so we can get something up and running for you soon.
Email info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 30-Aug-07
Smith's Beach is Special <
www.savesmithsbeach.com
Hello to all my Millennium Kids Friends.
I am a Millennium Kid and I have sent you this email and the link above in hopes that you all have a look at the site and make a public submission to the Busselton Shire.
Personally I am against the development. I have travel... www.savesmithsbeach.com
Hello to all my Millennium Kids Friends.
I am a Millennium Kid and I have sent you this email and the link above in hopes that you all have a look at the site and make a public submission to the Busselton Shire.
Personally I am against the development. I have travelled to the other side of the world so that I can sit out in the line-up and look back at natural bushland and forest. That is what is unique about this land. We must preserve what we have left. If people want developed coastlines then let them travel to the Gold Coast or Long Beach, New York.
Thanks,
Brendan La Mar
Millennium Kids Member
| |  13-Aug-07
LINH DO LIGHTS THE WAY!
Young Melbourne-ite Linh Do last year started her own climate change project centred around getting a million light bulbs changed to compact fluoresent globes to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
Linh was in Perth as part of the CAYPAKS Conference (Children And Young People Are Key Stakeholders) wh... Young Melbourne-ite Linh Do last year started her own climate change project centred around getting a million light bulbs changed to compact fluoresent globes to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
Linh was in Perth as part of the CAYPAKS Conference (Children And Young People Are Key Stakeholders) where she presented her project to all the delegates!
According to Linh, you save $15.22 for every light bulb you change - if we changed a million that would be $15 220 000!!!! PLUS it would mean 71 030 000 LESS kg's of Greenhouse Gas in our atmosphere!
Good luck Linh!
| | 4-Jul-07
West Greenwood Bin It Right!
This week our school, West Greenwood Primary has stared a new campaign to recycle paper.
The bins are manufactured by SITA Environmental Solutions. These bins are extremely spacey, light and useful. On top of that they help save the environment!!
Also, if you do not have much knowledge of what... This week our school, West Greenwood Primary has stared a new campaign to recycle paper.
The bins are manufactured by SITA Environmental Solutions. These bins are extremely spacey, light and useful. On top of that they help save the environment!!
Also, if you do not have much knowledge of what can and cannot go in these special bins, they have keys on the outside that inform the users what can be processed.
If your school wishes to purchase some recycling bins call 13 13 35!
| |  21-Jun-07
The 2007 Community Idol Special Commendation Award to MK<
THE 2007 COMMUNITY IDOL
LOCAL KIDS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR WORK
Megan Hudson and Catrina-Luz Aniere recently attended the Our Community - Communities In Control Conference in Melbourne, thanks to a sponsorship from Alcoa World Alumina Australia. The conference brought together over 1500 people from a...
THE 2007 COMMUNITY IDOL
LOCAL KIDS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR WORK
Megan Hudson and Catrina-Luz Aniere recently attended the Our Community - Communities In Control Conference in Melbourne, thanks to a sponsorship from Alcoa World Alumina Australia. The conference brought together over 1500 people from across Australia involved in a range of not for profit organisations.
Millennium Kids were also awarded a Special Commendation at the conference as part of The 2007 Community Idol Award. Millennium Kids were acknowledged for their work in relation to training young people to be advocates and create practical action projects in their community. The award highlighted Millennium Kids ability to partner with Alcoa and Challenger TAFE to develop a youth training program which was trailed with Sevenoaks Senior College and the Public Transport Authority, where young people at the school developed initiatives to address youth issues on the train service. The resulting Right Track Program has been so successful that it is now being rolled out on the Midland and Southern Line.
'Millennium Kids has been operating for over 10 years, getting young people to think about how they can make a positive contribution to the future and receiving the Special Commendation acknowledges our ability to create best practice youth to youth consultation processes that help inspire young people to create practical projects that enhance their community,’ said Megan Hudson (22) Education Officer and Youth Board Member of Millennium Kids.
Millennium Kids were thrilled with the award as 500 organisations applied for the Community Idol Award - an award that celebrates best practice community service work across Australia.
After the conference Megan and Catrina will have the opportunity to take part in the Alcoa Community Partner & Governance Scholarship and complete the Certificate 1V Business (Governance) program developed through the Australian Institute of Community Practice and Governance.
| |  14-Jun-07
Youth Voice Alive and Well at Perth Zoo<
Perth Zoo has a long partnership with Millennium Kids Inc, a not-for-profit, non-government youth environmental organisation. The group is run by young people aged 10–25 who are committed to improving the environment through conservation action. The programs are directed by their own youth board and... Perth Zoo has a long partnership with Millennium Kids Inc, a not-for-profit, non-government youth environmental organisation. The group is run by young people aged 10–25 who are committed to improving the environment through conservation action. The programs are directed by their own youth board and are supported by the United Nations Environmental Program Agenda 21 Declaration which states that “national governments should pay more attention to the opinions and concerns of children regarding the environment”.
One program, The Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow, aims to engage students from Western Australian schools in sustainability. These roadshows occur over a two-day period across WA, and Perth Zoo has been an active supporter of each one.
On 8 and 9 May, Perth Zoo hosted the final Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow for 2007 which involved 140 Year 4–7 students from 10 different primary schools. This roadshow was particularly significant as students from Tunas Hijau, the Indonesian chapter of Millennium Kids, were invited as special guests, along with representatives from the Indonesian Consulate.
Given the presence of our Indonesian neighbours, the roadshow was adapted to embrace an Asian theme. Students were able to participate in an Asian Conservation Zoo Tour, led by the Perth Zoo Education Team and Perth Zoo Docent volunteers. This provided students with an ideal opportunity to learn more about the changing role of the modern Zoo. Along their journey, students examined various aspects of Perth Zoo including getting conservation messages across to visitors, releasing animals into the wild, enrichment and animal care, community partnerships and establishing breeding programs for threatened species. In keeping with the Asian theme, students learnt about each of these different aspects through visits to the Silvery Gibbons, Asian Elephants and Sun Bears.
One of the tour locations was Perth Zoo’s newly built interpretive hub, Bukit Station, where students had the privilege of meeting Kris Padang who works with the Indonesian Department of Forestry and a Sumatran Orang-utan reintroduction program at Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Kris was visiting Perth Zoo on three months work experience to learn new skills. Perth Zoo is providing training opportunities as part of its commitment to support the conservation of wildlife and habitat in and around Bukit Tigapuluh National Park. Students learnt how one of Perth Zoo’s captive-bred Sumatran Orang-utans, Temara, was prepared for release into Bukit Tigapuluh and how she is adapting to life in the rainforest. This was a unique opportunity for the students.
The Millennium Kids philosophy is to ensure that youth have a voice on all matters environmental. Throughout the two-day Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow students shared thoughts on what they like about their world and what they would like to change. The environmental areas that the students discussed were collated and categorised into seven key areas—energy, native animals, peace, trees, waste, water and air. Interestingly, these key areas reflected what youth in Indonesia also felt.
After a little discussion, a sneak peak at Perth Zoo’s Education Rooms and hearing stories and observing images that were historically significant to Perth, students developed plans outlining what actions they could take to care for the environment. These included becoming more travel smart, planting native gardens to attract animals back to an area, cleaning up waterways and helping support conservation projects in the wild. These action plans will be brought back to the students’ respective schools for implementation.
Sophia Spencer, Education Officer, Perth Zoo
| | 8-Jun-07
Tank - A - Day Challenge<
BlueScope Steel have announced their 'Tank A Day Challenge', which will give a rainwater tank to a primary school somewhere in Australia every school day for one year - that's a total of 200 tanks!
All primary schools across Australia are invited to take up the 'Tank A Day Challenge' to kic... BlueScope Steel have announced their 'Tank A Day Challenge', which will give a rainwater tank to a primary school somewhere in Australia every school day for one year - that's a total of 200 tanks!
All primary schools across Australia are invited to take up the 'Tank A Day Challenge' to kick-start their water conservation programs and to learn about water management. Primary schools that are successful in the challenge will receive a rainwater tank to enable them to start harvesting rainwater.
For more information, visit: www.tankaday.com.au
| | 30-May-07
BALGA WORLD WARRIORS - New Project!
Since returning from the March 2007 Sustainability Roadshow the Balga World Warriors have embarked on a large and exciting project. They decided in their weekly meetings that they wanted to do something that would make their school community a better place for future school students.
Looking aro... Since returning from the March 2007 Sustainability Roadshow the Balga World Warriors have embarked on a large and exciting project. They decided in their weekly meetings that they wanted to do something that would make their school community a better place for future school students.
Looking around the grounds they noticed that there is a large variety of native birds, including kookaburras, honeyeaters, red and yellow Wattlebirds and the possibility of some Boobok Owls, residing in the trees and bushes around the school, and decided that they would like to make a bird garden to entice even more native species into the area.
The next few meetings involved brainstorming, planning and talking to experts about the best way to move forward. They created a short powerpoint slideshow so they could present their ideas to the rest of the school, from Pre-Primary to Year 7, and get them involved in the designing phase. At present this is the stage they are working on and will be judging the design a garden competition at the beginning of June.
The World Warriors next steps are to start marking out and digging the design for their garden and choosing native plants, bushes and trees which will aid them in reaching their Millennium Kids goal!!
WATCH THIS SPACE!
| |  25-Apr-07
Team Wins Youth Citizenship Award WA 2007<
The Millennium Kids would like to thank everyone involved in MK over the last ten years. Sponosors, friends, the young people who have been a pivotal part of the organisation are all to be congratulated as Millennium Kids has been awarded the Western Australian Group Citizenship Youth Award for 2007... The Millennium Kids would like to thank everyone involved in MK over the last ten years. Sponosors, friends, the young people who have been a pivotal part of the organisation are all to be congratulated as Millennium Kids has been awarded the Western Australian Group Citizenship Youth Award for 2007. Ten members of MK were at the event held at the Burswood on 19th April 2007. And you can imagine the noise and excitement when the award for Group Citizenship was announced - as MK is a team - a team of people working towards a common goal - a shared set of values - which focus on caring for the environment!
Congratulations to all the people who have worked with MK over the years - each and every one of you!
| | 2-Mar-07
Climate Busters of the Future <
One hundred students from local Bunbury Primary Schools attended the second Sustainability Roadshow for 2007. Years 4 - 7 students attended the two day event. Students learnt about greenhouse gas and how to care for the environment. Students learned that one kilo of greenhouse gas is about the size ... One hundred students from local Bunbury Primary Schools attended the second Sustainability Roadshow for 2007. Years 4 - 7 students attended the two day event. Students learnt about greenhouse gas and how to care for the environment. Students learned that one kilo of greenhouse gas is about the size of the average fridge. The students throught it was important to help people change the way they see the environment.
| | 22-Feb-07
GROOVE WITH KATE EVERY THURSDAY @ 101.7 FM<
Have you ever wanted to have a say about the environment on the radio. Well Kate, a budding radio journalist of the future, had a dream to get the stories of MK on the radio....... and so that's just what she did. Kate, a university student, took the idea to an MK Youth Board meeting and after many ... Have you ever wanted to have a say about the environment on the radio. Well Kate, a budding radio journalist of the future, had a dream to get the stories of MK on the radio....... and so that's just what she did. Kate, a university student, took the idea to an MK Youth Board meeting and after many hours of negotiation and hard work has a half hour segment with young people on GROOVE 101.7fm in Perth every Thursday from 11.30AM - 12.00PM. Lots of Millennium Kids and member schools and community gropus have been interviewed already. If you are interested in telling your story email info@millenniumkids.com.au and let us know what you are doing to help the environment and we may just be able to include you in an interview at some point.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!
| | 11-Feb-07
Minister Meets MK Partners in Indonesia<
On Sunday 11th February the Minister for The Environment, Hon Tony McRae MLA will visit members of the Tunas Hijau Club, in Surabaya, Indonesia. The students from the Indonesian group have been working with Millennium Kids Australia since inception in 1999. Tunas Hijau Founder and President, Mohame... On Sunday 11th February the Minister for The Environment, Hon Tony McRae MLA will visit members of the Tunas Hijau Club, in Surabaya, Indonesia. The students from the Indonesian group have been working with Millennium Kids Australia since inception in 1999. Tunas Hijau Founder and President, Mohamed Zamroni (26), first met with MK representatives in Perth in 1999. Since that time MK has mentored and supported the development of the program in Indonesia, through training for staff and youth programs. Students from Tunas Hijau have visited Australia on numerous occasions to work with the young people of Millennium Kids to find out more about programs being run in Western Australia.
The meeting with the Minister will enable Tunas Hijau to profile their work and show how the partnership between MK and Tunas Hijau has promoted an exchange of ideas in relation to protecting the environment through projects that empower young people to be aware and active in their environment.
| |  6-Feb-07
Ausaid Support for Millennium Kids in South Africa<
Australian Government - Ausaid has approved a grant to support the
Millennium Kids Capacity Building project with Millennium Kids Global
Project in North West Province, South Africa in January 2007.
The grant will allow the MK team from Australia to meet with and work with
the MKGP team in... Australian Government - Ausaid has approved a grant to support the
Millennium Kids Capacity Building project with Millennium Kids Global
Project in North West Province, South Africa in January 2007.
The grant will allow the MK team from Australia to meet with and work with
the MKGP team in North West Province, South Africa, over a ten day period
in January. The training, a part of the Millennium Kids Environmental
Citizenship and Project Management Training, supported by Challenger TAFE,
will focus on assisting the MKGP team develop a strategic plan that takes
into account training needs to help the organisation become sustainable
and will assist the MKGP team develop fund raising initiatives for their
2007 activities.
Yvonne Maqoboza, MKGP Program Director South Africa, said, "This is so
exciting to have the Australian Government recognise the work we are doing
here with kids in South Africa. It is an example of how two countries can
work together to help the young people in our community. We have worked so
hard over the last 6 years and this will give our kids and our
organisation the major boost it needs. MANY MANY THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS IN
AUSTRALIA. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!"
| |  6-Feb-07
strategic planning meeting between mkgp south africa and mk australia
The two directors of MKGP South Africa and MK Australia and their staff met in Mafikeng, South Africa and went through a number of issues that the two countries have to deal with. A memorandum of understanding, projects and programmes for 2007 were initiated. It was agreed that this year the two or... The two directors of MKGP South Africa and MK Australia and their staff met in Mafikeng, South Africa and went through a number of issues that the two countries have to deal with. A memorandum of understanding, projects and programmes for 2007 were initiated. It was agreed that this year the two organisations would work together and their efforts would be marked by actions. We worked, and had lots of chocolates to keep us going, as this is part of the MK TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE - HAVE FUN, EAT CHOCOLATE AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. The team of MKGP youth representatives also met with Anne Creux,Program Officer, Australian High Commission in Pretoria after all the work was done!
| |  6-Feb-07
SHORTY”S PRAYER
SHORTY”S PRAYER
A prayer for my mother
Prayer for those whose lives are touched by AIDS
God our father, In Jesus your son
You showed us how to love those who are sick.
Help us to ACCEPT them as our brothers and sisters as Jesus DID.
We ask you
#To look on those whose lives are touc... SHORTY”S PRAYER
A prayer for my mother
Prayer for those whose lives are touched by AIDS
God our father, In Jesus your son
You showed us how to love those who are sick.
Help us to ACCEPT them as our brothers and sisters as Jesus DID.
We ask you
#To look on those whose lives are touched by AIDS.
#To enlighten those who try to find CURE.
#To bring SOLACE & PEACE to those who suffer from AIDS.
# To be with doctors and nurses that are caring for them.
#To console & comfort their relatives.
#To provide their children with all they need.
#To give us all hearts of MERCY, to do what we can.
#To show them your compassion and LOVE.
WE ASK THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!
AMEN!!!!
| | 30-Nov-06
Wishing You A Sustainable Christamas<
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE (A WASTE WISE) CHRISTMAS
T'was the night before Christmas and all through my strawbale home
I'd wrapped my recycled gifts and had time to write a poem!
The children were snuggled in their recycled wood beds,
Cooled by the energy efficient ceiling fan over their heads,
Re... T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE (A WASTE WISE) CHRISTMAS
T'was the night before Christmas and all through my strawbale home
I'd wrapped my recycled gifts and had time to write a poem!
The children were snuggled in their recycled wood beds,
Cooled by the energy efficient ceiling fan over their heads,
Recycled decorations hung on our indigenous Christmas tree,
And home made cards adorned the chimney.
When out in the water wise garden there was a clatter,
I ran to the double glazed windows to see what was the matter.
And there next to the compost bin did suddenly appear,
A bio-diesel powered vehicle powered by eco-reindeer.
The jolly driver hoping that all would see,
That he had a new red polar fleece outfit - made from recycled P.E.T.
He jumped on the roof and down the solar panels he flew,
To deliver the gifts he had made, reused or grew!
And if by sheer magic and through a green vapour,
Came presents wrapped in bits of recycled paper!
For Sally a recycled plastic frisbee and for Jimmy recycled wool socks,
Each wrapped with old ribbon and in a reused box.
A recycled toner cartridge for Mary and calico bag for Jag,
Now they could go to the shops and not use a plastic bag.
With a job well done he got back on his recycled plastic sleigh,
Ready to travel far far away.
But just before leaving he yelled and turned about -
'Have a Buy Recycled Christmas - and remember to put your recycling out!'
(sourced from:http://www.voxbandicoot.com.au/SustainabilitySt/sustainoclopedia/1001ways.html)
| |  30-Nov-06
Walpole Odyessy - Focussing on Indigenous Youth Leadership<
Walpole Odyessy - Focussing on Indigenous Youth Leadership
Sevenoaks Senior College indigenous students will meet in Walople
during December to focus on indigenous youth leadership. The
students have been meeting with Millennium Kids over the last six weeks to
design and implement their own yo... Walpole Odyessy - Focussing on Indigenous Youth Leadership
Sevenoaks Senior College indigenous students will meet in Walople
during December to focus on indigenous youth leadership. The
students have been meeting with Millennium Kids over the last six weeks to
design and implement their own youth leadership program. What is youth
leadership? What is indigenous youth leadership? How can we work
together to make a better future?
As part of these discussions the students have been keen to develop
a positive imagine for indigenous students in the media. Through
Millennium Kids, students were able to partner with the Right Track
Program, a Public Transport Authority initiative, to help young
people understand the dangers around train tracks in the Cannington area.
The students were filmed as part of the video production and 'had a say'
about youth issues and promoted a positive indigenous youth message.
The students also met with Paul Llewellyn,MP, at Parliament House to
talk leadership. The students were interested to hear about what
inspired Paul Llewellyn to become an MP and represent his community.
The program will culminate in a 7 day kayaking and teamwork program
in Walpole, Franklin River, in December 2006. The kids will camp, learn
about bush tucker and learn about different styles of leadership
through a series of adventures in the program. They will meet Paul Llewellyn
again and share ideas about leadership. At the end of the program
students will present a report to Paul Llewellyn and other
government leaders.
| | 30-Nov-06
Exploring the Riverbank and Waterways<
Collecting eggs from nests, wading across the Swan River, fishing, prawning, a baby found in an old log! All these stories have been discovered by students researching the history of the Swan River and used to develop “The Swash Line– A South Perth Wongi , a play commissioned by Millennium Kids Inc ... Collecting eggs from nests, wading across the Swan River, fishing, prawning, a baby found in an old log! All these stories have been discovered by students researching the history of the Swan River and used to develop “The Swash Line– A South Perth Wongi , a play commissioned by Millennium Kids Inc and written by local playwright Monica Main . The play will form the backdrop of a new program being launched in the City of South Perth – Exploring the Riverbank and Waterways.
Students from schools in the City of South Perth will have the opportunity to view the performance, interview Senior Citizens about their adventures on the river and create a vision for the river in the future. These visions will be presented to the City of South Perth, providing the Council with an opportunity to consult with young people about river health and ways to involve young people in addressing river care issues. The visions will be used to create an installation series – Waterworks - as part of the South Perth Fiesta in 2007.
The first day of the program was launched at South Perth Primary School last week. Students at South Perth Primary School focussed on the Milyu Nature Reserve which is an area they adopted in 1992. Milyu is a habitat for migratory birds, with the Reserve running adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway.
“It was great talking to the older people about the river,” one student said. “The man told us he really liked the changes on the river because there where more parks now, but then he stopped and said maybe we should have kept some of the bush because that is where we had all our adventure – and maybe kids can’t have those adventures now!”
For more information about the program schools and the community can contact Millennium Kids on 9364 1200 - particularly if you want to share your special river story with the kids.
| |  30-Nov-06
Did You See a Gilbert's Poteroo at the Walk Against Warming <
Did you see a Gilbert's Poteroo at the Walk Against Warming in Perth on 3rd November 2006. If you think you did you were not seeing things. Millennium Kids chose to take part in the walk as they are very concerned about climate change. The kids dressed up in various outfits - with snorkels and goggl... Did you see a Gilbert's Poteroo at the Walk Against Warming in Perth on 3rd November 2006. If you think you did you were not seeing things. Millennium Kids chose to take part in the walk as they are very concerned about climate change. The kids dressed up in various outfits - with snorkels and goggles to boot - to highlight the plight of humans and our native animals if we don't address climate change now.
Millennium Kids has been sponsored by Darie Pty Ltd to help young people find out more about the plight of the Gilbert's Poteroo and students from Bateman and Sevenoaks have started to develop an information package for schools to help them learn more - more updates soon.
For more information about the Gilbert's Poteroo visit the site below:
http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s1462229.htm
| | 30-Nov-06
Millennium Kids Roadshow - Bunbury October 2006
In the October school holidays a very successful Millennium Kids Roadhsow took place. The conference began on the third of October and ended on the sixth at Bumbury Cathedral Grammer school. Leaving Perth a little later then anticipated we arrived in Bumbury in the late afternoon. After meeting the ... In the October school holidays a very successful Millennium Kids Roadhsow took place. The conference began on the third of October and ended on the sixth at Bumbury Cathedral Grammer school. Leaving Perth a little later then anticipated we arrived in Bumbury in the late afternoon. After meeting the conference facilitaters from Edith Cowan University in Bumbury and settling in, eating dinner in true Millennium Kids style ( a dress-up as your favourite environmental super hero of course1) - our first activity was team building. For those people at the conference that weren’t sure about how the organisation worked this was their first insight. It was important to start the conference with these activities because it built trusting relationships that would last for the rest of the week and onwards. That night bed couldn’t have come any sooner for the board members especially our leaders and presidents!
The next day came with an early start. After breakfast our next misson was to impress people. That wouldn’t be that hard? These people were from the A²E² conference that was being run in the same complex as ours. Our three presidents explained to our audience what Millennium Kids was all about and how it started. That day and over the next three we had a series of activities and challenges to participatre in. Our activities over the next two days included: artwork using old things that people had thrown out, making dolls for South Africa, learNing about what other Millennium Kids were doing in their schools and communities, exploring different areas of the environment including water, waste, native animals and trees. We also learnt about our coastline and how climate changes have effected it over millions of years and no environmental childrens conference could be complete without spending time with the wonderful catail clean-up. The week was a fantastic one and enjoyed by all and did impress many adults. Most delegates are now looking forward to the next Millennium Kids conference which should be bigger and better next time!
| | 10-Nov-06
MK office gets new Equipment thanks to LotteryWest!
The Millennium Kids Office has had a facelift thanks to LotteryWest! LotteryWest gerneroulsy funded us to get 2 new desks and chairs and new computer equipment for the office and for the Roadshows!
This means we are now able to take more volunteers into our office to help out with all the project... The Millennium Kids Office has had a facelift thanks to LotteryWest! LotteryWest gerneroulsy funded us to get 2 new desks and chairs and new computer equipment for the office and for the Roadshows!
This means we are now able to take more volunteers into our office to help out with all the projects currently on the go and our office is working even harder now that we have the new gear.
Thanks LotteryWest!
| | 11-Oct-06
Western Australian Climate Change Photographic Competition
How do you see climate change in Western Australia? An exhibition called NORTHSOUTHEASTWEST is touring the world and the State Government wants you involved. The images tell us how every facet of life is being affected with images depicting 12 locations from around the world - and the State Governme... How do you see climate change in Western Australia? An exhibition called NORTHSOUTHEASTWEST is touring the world and the State Government wants you involved. The images tell us how every facet of life is being affected with images depicting 12 locations from around the world - and the State Government wants you to help tell the story of Western Australia. Primary, Secondary students and adults are invited to send photographs in about sustainability initiatives and photos that depict climate change in your community - prizes will be awarded.
For more information visit www.dec.wa.gov.au/greenhouse or email greenhouse@dec.wa.gov.au
Or for more information about NORTHSOUTHEASTWEST go to www.northsoutheastwest.org
| | 1-Oct-06
Do You Live In WA and Want To Have A Say?
Youth Survey 2006 - Have Your Say! The 2006 Youth Survey is your chance to be heard on a whole range of topics. It will help the media portray young people in a more accurate way and help state and local government and community organisations develop policy and programs relevant to the young people ... Youth Survey 2006 - Have Your Say! The 2006 Youth Survey is your chance to be heard on a whole range of topics. It will help the media portray young people in a more accurate way and help state and local government and community organisations develop policy and programs relevant to the young people of WA. Have your say and set the record straight. Visit www.youthsurvey.wa.gov.au
In 2003, young people considered the environment one of the most important issues facing the community.
| | 6-Sep-06
HELLO
Hello!
Did you know that there is a Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow coming up in October! It’s in Bunbury from Tuesday the 3rd to Friday the 6th October 2006. It will be $200.
If you didn’t know, well now you do!
If you want to come you have to play and have a say!
So come along and ...
Hello!
Did you know that there is a Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow coming up in October! It’s in Bunbury from Tuesday the 3rd to Friday the 6th October 2006. It will be $200.
If you didn’t know, well now you do!
If you want to come you have to play and have a say!
So come along and sing our song and we can have fun all day.
Meet new people you didn’t know, have fun in our environment and keep watching to hear more about climate change. Work as a team and don’t be mean. Let children have their say. We will have fun and games through out the day. So remember the environment, remember us and remember MK triple bottom line
Have fun
Eat chocolate and
Care for the environment
Make no fuss and jump on the bus!
Thankyou for reading this.
For more information go to
www.millenniumkids.com.au
By Isabella Millennium Kids Youth Board representative.
| | 4-Sep-06
Bunbury 100 Club - Businesses for the Future - <
MILLENNIUM KIDS SUSTAINABILITY ROADSHOW BUNBURY 2006
by kids for kids
SUPPORTED BY KAREELYA PROPERTY GROUP
and students from Edith Cowan University Bunbury
AND
BUNBURY 100 CLUB
- businesses for the future –
Millennium Kids, a not for profit environmental youth organization, will be hos... MILLENNIUM KIDS SUSTAINABILITY ROADSHOW BUNBURY 2006
by kids for kids
SUPPORTED BY KAREELYA PROPERTY GROUP
and students from Edith Cowan University Bunbury
AND
BUNBURY 100 CLUB
- businesses for the future –
Millennium Kids, a not for profit environmental youth organization, will be hosting a special meeting of kids in Bunbury in 2006 leading up to a series of Sustainability Roadshow’s in 2007 and they need your help!
We invite you to advertise your company’s environmental visions for the future through the Roadshow’s art installation.
“The Sharing of Wisdom – A Visual Metamorphosis”
The kids have selected five themes that make the City of Bunbury special - the beaches, dunes, forests, mangroves and rivers. These themes will bring together 400 participants from the Australian Association of Environmental Education and Millennium Kids to morph together everybody’s wisdom, personal experiences and environmental visions for the future.
Building onto a series of construction fences, donated by a local company, participants at the conference will create a wall of recycled materials warped into a visual piece of shared stories celebrating Bunbury’s environment.
To advertise your companies message simply write a story or vision for the future on the page attached and Millennium Kids will weave your theme and logo into the installation at the event.
The kids aim to display the installation at local shopping centres from October – November.
The money raised through this advertising project will be used to support a series of Sustainability Roadshow’s in Bunbury in 2006 – 2007. .
| | 4-Sep-06
LET US KNOW WHAT U THINK!<
We hear lots about greenhosue emissions and climate change. Lots of people have lots to say. Check out the following website. It was found by a Millennium Kid. http://www.cei.org/pages/co2.cfm
Let us know what you think? Email us at info@millenniumkids.com.au with your opinion.
| | 4-Jun-06
Have A Say - Youth Board Meeting
If you want to help the Millennium Kids Youth Board or you have an idea you would like to put forward, then why not join us for an MK meeting on Sunday 4th June at our MK Headquarters. Call 0418 923 968 for more information. | | 19-May-06
Lancelin Primary School Joins Kids at Stirling Roadshow<
Fifteen Year 7 students from Lancelin Primary School visited the City of Stirling this week to attend the Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow. Marshmallows and spagehtti towers and 107 Up helped kids learn a little bit about teamwork and co operation. The 60 students at the Roadshow, funded by D... Fifteen Year 7 students from Lancelin Primary School visited the City of Stirling this week to attend the Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow. Marshmallows and spagehtti towers and 107 Up helped kids learn a little bit about teamwork and co operation. The 60 students at the Roadshow, funded by Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the Physical Activity Taskforce and the City of Stirling, developed a plan to reduce car use to and from their school. Lancelin students were surprised to learn how many students travelled to school by car. The students will all return to their school and put their plan into action. Return to this site soon for more information.
| | 10-Apr-06
Next Millennium Kids Meeting<
The next Millennium Kids meeting will be held on Sunday the 7th of May between
12-3pm at our Heathcoate head office. Feel free to come along as we will be planning the MK October conference to be held in Bunbury this year. ADDRESS: Heathcote 58 - 60 Duncraig Rd Applecross WA
| |  15-Mar-06
Clean Up Australia Day
Clean up Australia Day was held on Sunday 5th of March with a team of seventeen Millennium Kids and the City of South Perth Environment Association tending to the Manning Primary School surrounding bushland and oval.
Mr John Collins, the Mayor of South Perth came down to help our volunteers pick ... Clean up Australia Day was held on Sunday 5th of March with a team of seventeen Millennium Kids and the City of South Perth Environment Association tending to the Manning Primary School surrounding bushland and oval.
Mr John Collins, the Mayor of South Perth came down to help our volunteers pick up 6 bags of rubbish from the bushland ad surrounding areas. The volunteers also removed fallen branches and debris that had accumulated on the BMX track and revegetation site along with pulling out self seeded weed species.
Millennium Kids also suggested some recommendations to assist in the preservation of the Manning Primary School grounds which they hope to become involved in the implementation of in the coming year.
| |  15-Mar-06
Travel Smart Radio Commercials
A group of Millennium Kids recently had the exciting challenge of recording two of their very own radio commercials telling Perth kids all about the smarter options to travel to school.
The talented group of 5 music students travelled to Fairbridge for an over night stay, where in just 24 hours ... A group of Millennium Kids recently had the exciting challenge of recording two of their very own radio commercials telling Perth kids all about the smarter options to travel to school.
The talented group of 5 music students travelled to Fairbridge for an over night stay, where in just 24 hours were able to write and record two songs and two radio commercials as part of the Millennium Kids ongoing Travel Smart campaign.
The two ads were aired on the Fremantle community radio station on the Tuesday 7th of March.
A big thankyou to Martin Meader and Rob Spence for helping out with the recording.
| | 27-Feb-06
Wesley College + Rubbish = Hip Hop
Wesley College Year 10 students have been working with Millennium Kids on an environmental citizenship project under their Community Service banner. The boys identified cigarette butts as a major contributor to pollution on the Swan River, City of South Perth foreshore. So, the boys have devised a n... Wesley College Year 10 students have been working with Millennium Kids on an environmental citizenship project under their Community Service banner. The boys identified cigarette butts as a major contributor to pollution on the Swan River, City of South Perth foreshore. So, the boys have devised a number of programs to help reduce the problem. Last week they worked with Hip Hop artist MC2 to write a verse to promote their concern for the area. The boys aim to recod the verse and promote it on community radio as a Community Srvice Announcement.
Pollution is our enemy, I wanna see less greenhosue gasses and cleaner energy, People cause pollution it's our enemy, Beautiful river going down the drain, You leave my heart full of pain, We need to improve our attitude and care toward earth, In order to chnage we need to start in Perth, For sure we can talk more, Of course we want less butts on the foreshore.
By Chris, Austin, Jarrad and Ruben
| |  15-Feb-06
Meet Lesego Motale - MKGP South Africa Profile
Lesego is part of the Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa Team. If you want to know how to track a rhino then Lesego is the man. Lesego joined Millennium in 2000 when he attended the first Millennium Kids Conference in Western Australia. Since that time Lesego has completed his University De... Lesego is part of the Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa Team. If you want to know how to track a rhino then Lesego is the man. Lesego joined Millennium in 2000 when he attended the first Millennium Kids Conference in Western Australia. Since that time Lesego has completed his University Degree in Conservation and Land Management and a guiding course. In 2006 Lesego led a team of young people through Kgaswane Mountain Rserve as part of the Millennium Kids Roadshow in North West Province South Africa.
| |  14-Feb-06
iHelp!
Want to hear more about the new MK environmental citizenship initiative - iHelp! Email MK at info@millenniumkids.com.au and we'll send you some details. | |  7-Dec-05
Alinjarra Helps with Wheelchairs for Kids
Kids can make a difference. One child in our class made a suggestion about helping kids who are in developing countries and suffer because they don't have a wheelchair. Emily in our class has been to some of these countries to take the wheelchairs to them.
Over the past two months, the Year Five ... Kids can make a difference. One child in our class made a suggestion about helping kids who are in developing countries and suffer because they don't have a wheelchair. Emily in our class has been to some of these countries to take the wheelchairs to them.
Over the past two months, the Year Five children have run a campaign at Alinjarra Primary School to participate in collecting ringpulls from drink cans. These ringpulls are sent to Wheelchairs for Kids Inc where they sell them so they are able to buy parts to build wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are then taken to children living in developing countries who are affected by diseases, landmines or who may be crippled. It takes 75,000 ringpulls to make one wheelchair! We have collected 44.5 kilograms and built two wheelchairs! The challenge is on for 2006 for our school to build at least 8 wheelchairs. This project is fully run by the year five students with support from their teachers. We will train the next year five class in 2006 to carry on our work to keep making a difference.For more information have a look at www.wheelchairsforkids.org
| | 23-Sep-05
NEW HQ FOR MK!
Thanks to a new partnership with Challenger TAFE, Millennium Kids HQ will be moving from Fremantle to a new office at Heathcote in Applecross on the 5th of October 2005.
Challenger TAFE have been kind enough to give us this space rent free for the next 2 years as part of a 'Memorandum of Understand... Thanks to a new partnership with Challenger TAFE, Millennium Kids HQ will be moving from Fremantle to a new office at Heathcote in Applecross on the 5th of October 2005.
Challenger TAFE have been kind enough to give us this space rent free for the next 2 years as part of a 'Memorandum of Understanding' between our organisations.
We will be working together during that time to develop new combined projects and offer more opportunities for young people to help their environment.
Our new street address is:
Heathcote
58 - 60 Duncraig Rd
Applecross, Western Australia
The new phone number will be: (08) 9364 1200
Our office will be closed from now, until the 5th of October so staff can take a break and get the move sorted out. But you can still contact us via email at info@millenniumkids.com.au.
Feel free to call once we're open and check out the new space! (We're very close to the restaurant/coffee shop - and there's a great view)
We look forward to seeing you there!
| | 23-Sep-05
Next Youth Board Meeting
The next Millennium Kids Youth Board meeting will be held at the new premises on the 2nd of October.
It will be an informal meeting, from 12noon - 1.30pm to check out MK's new home and have a bite to eat.
You do not need to be on the Youth Board to come along and join in - feel free to bring your... The next Millennium Kids Youth Board meeting will be held at the new premises on the 2nd of October.
It will be an informal meeting, from 12noon - 1.30pm to check out MK's new home and have a bite to eat.
You do not need to be on the Youth Board to come along and join in - feel free to bring your friends and family!
Please bring a plate of food to share.
ADDRESS:
Heathcote
58 - 60 Duncraig Rd
Applecross WA
| |  9-Jun-05
MK Visit Alcoa's Huntly Minesite
Millennium Kids recently toured the Alcoa Huntly Minesite and Refinery as part of their annual Planning Weekend held at Fairbridge, Pinjarra. The half day excursion gave MK members a chance to learn more about the essential rehabilitation Alcoa undertakes on its sites, and how this process has chang... Millennium Kids recently toured the Alcoa Huntly Minesite and Refinery as part of their annual Planning Weekend held at Fairbridge, Pinjarra. The half day excursion gave MK members a chance to learn more about the essential rehabilitation Alcoa undertakes on its sites, and how this process has changed over time.
MK regularly takes its board and committee members out to different Alcoa mine sites to view what they are undertaking as part of our partnering and sponsorship, in order to learn more about each others activities.
Our tour guide Raelene was fabulous, having worked for Alcoa for many years, and she was able to answer many tricky questions thrown out by our enthusiastic Youth Board. While the boys made it clear they were eager to see the blasting sites, it was the girls who would have liked to have a go at driving the massive trucks! It was also overhead that more than one person thought about what it would be like to take a ride down the conveyer belt!
While on the tour Millennium Kids was able to learn about the new technologies within the refinery and have a look at the areas where they are trying out new techniques for getting native animals back into rehabilitated areas - not to mention being provided with a fantastic lunch!
Millennium Kids also partnered with Fairbridge, another Alcoa supported initiative, for the weekend.
The kids spent their time franticly planning our activities for the coming year – including a proposed conference on Endangered Species in early 2006 bringing together kids from across the globe to develop new projects in an effort to care for a number of threatened animals.
The weekend activities were facilitated by the Alcoa sponsored 18-25 year old Youth Leaders who have been trained in a range of skills in order to better support and run Millennium Kids.
As part of the MK Triple Bottom Line (Have Fun, Eat Chocolate and Help care for the Environment) activities included a dinner where all dressed up as Native Animals – there was eclectic mix including Kangaroos, Cockatoos, Bees, a Tasmanian Devil and even a Witchety Grub!
2005 marks the 10th birthday of Millennium Kids and there was a significant amount of time spent planning our celebration event for September. Alcoa has been long term sponsor, supporter and mentor of Millennium Kids and will be a major part of the Celebrations.
Thanks go to Alcoa for taking us on the tour and providing us with a fabulous lunch!
| |  2-Jun-05
MK takes Sustainability on the Road
Over the last few months Millennium Kids has run 2 Sustainability Roadshows focusing on Kids in the Community. Nearly 200 children from the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park have had the opportunity to voice their concerns on the environment and learn more about sustainability and le... Over the last few months Millennium Kids has run 2 Sustainability Roadshows focusing on Kids in the Community. Nearly 200 children from the City of South Perth and the Town of Victoria Park have had the opportunity to voice their concerns on the environment and learn more about sustainability and leadership.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Kids were asked to share what they thought Sustainability was all about:
If you want to sustain something you need to plan and have teamwork
Reduce plastic
To maintain that place
To save
To use less electricity
To help preserve it
Able to do something for a long time
Keep the environment in good condition forever
WHAT ARE KIDS CONCERNED ABOUT?
Students looked at what concerned them about their local, state, and global communities. Here are just some of the things they are worried about:
Rubbish in schools and waterways
Syringes
Loss of native animal habitat
Trees being cut down- for carparks, roads, buildings
Burst water pipe- wasting water
Air pollution
Hunting for fur
Cutting down rainforests
• Global warming
Oil spills
Killing whales
Detention centres
Starving people
war
Caging animals like sun bears
Poverty
Wars over oil
Water shortage
Corruption
pollution
After attending the Roadshow, students work in their school teams to deliver the TravelSmart program in their schools. They will working hard to get fellow school kids walking, riding a bike, taking public transport or carpooling to school in an effort to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
| |  2-Jun-05
Suitcase Scientists!
South Perth Primary School students recently became pint-size Scientists as part of the Millennium Kids new Suitcase Scientist program.
Students worked in teams to investigate the Milyu Reserve in South Perth to learn what it’s like to be a scientist through a range of activities including:
Fi... South Perth Primary School students recently became pint-size Scientists as part of the Millennium Kids new Suitcase Scientist program.
Students worked in teams to investigate the Milyu Reserve in South Perth to learn what it’s like to be a scientist through a range of activities including:
Field work at Milyu Reserve
Interviewing Mr Eric McCrum – our resident scientist who knew lots about the birds and jellyfish!
Planning and undertaking their own science experiments on location
Designing a Scientist’s Suitcase with everything they need for their experiments
Used multi-media to record their experiments through photography and power point
Students later evaluated their experiments and results and produced a book on what they had found out.
This program will be running in a number of Primary schools in the City of South Perth over the coming months.
It is available to all primary schools for students in years 4 -7 and is facilitated by Millennium Kids staff. If you would like more information please call (08) 9336 7047 or email info@millenniumkids.com.au
| |  1-Jun-05
One colony, one location, forty individuals
That is all that remains of one of the world’s most critically endangered animals; the Gilbert’s Potoroo. Once believed extinct, the smallest member of the kangaroo family needs support to carry on its survival.
MK discovered the Gilbert’s Potoroo during the South West Odyssey in January. Visi... That is all that remains of one of the world’s most critically endangered animals; the Gilbert’s Potoroo. Once believed extinct, the smallest member of the kangaroo family needs support to carry on its survival.
MK discovered the Gilbert’s Potoroo during the South West Odyssey in January. Visiting areas of Albany, their only remaining habitat, youth leaders were introduced to five captive individuals who form the basis of a breeding programme in the area. In the wild how ever it is estimated that only forty of the creatures remain, in a location plagued by bushfire and predators.
Their hope and future lies in the work of CALM officials and local volunteers developing successful breeding programmes. However, funding is limited to continue supporting the rehabilitation of the Potoroo and MK would like to assist this cute and cuddly native animal. Any fundraising or project ideas for the Gilbert’s Potoroo and the Two People’s Bay Rehabilitation Centre should be forwarded to info@millenniumkids.com.au.
| |  5-May-05
From New York to Ningaloo!
MILLENNIUM KIDS LAST MONTH RAN THE 2ND NINGALOO ODYSSEY. DOUG MILSTEIN (pictured on the left, with MK facilitator Brendan LaMar), FROM AMITYVILLE, NEW YORK JOINED THE TEAM.
READ ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE...
I was supposed to leave Western Australia for Bali on the 16th April but
somehow luck was... MILLENNIUM KIDS LAST MONTH RAN THE 2ND NINGALOO ODYSSEY. DOUG MILSTEIN (pictured on the left, with MK facilitator Brendan LaMar), FROM AMITYVILLE, NEW YORK JOINED THE TEAM.
READ ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE...
I was supposed to leave Western Australia for Bali on the 16th April but
somehow luck was on my side and this amazing opportunity came up.
Brendan's a part of this organization "Millennium Kids" and they were running
this youth leadership and environmental awareness program 16 hours north of
Perth in the Ningaloo Reef marine sanctuary. Basically, I got to go away
for 11 days, kayak, snorkel, monitor a threatened species (the Black footed
rock wallaby), and learn about possibilities of leading an organization and
running similar environmental awareness projects back home. This area up
there is unreal, it's literally the desert meeting the ocean and in a day I
would be snorkelling in the morning and walking through mountain gorges in
the evening. It's one of the top areas in the world in terms of
biodiversity....
The best part for sure was the mix of people, two girls from Perth, an
indigenous aboriginal girl, a girl from Botswana, Africa, an Australian
school teacher, the head of the whole organization Catrina, a really
remarkable lady in all that she's accomplished and Hal, the owner of the
Kayak Company, a 47 yr old going on 21, awesome guy, knew everything about
the environment who also took Brendan and I surfing at some pretty isolated
and amazing reef breaks after the program had finished..
Anyway, it's definitely changed my way of thinking a bunch, realizing how many small
changes can make a huge positive influence on the world... For example,
making sure lights are turned off when you leave a room, making sure to
recycle all that can be, being aware of the amount of water you use, all
things we already know, but might not always pay too much attention to.....
By Douglas Milstein
Graduate in English Literature
New York, USA
24 years
Participant in Ningaloo Odyssey 2005
| |  10-Mar-05
Postcard Fundraiser
Millennium Kids Australia is running a postcard fundraiser in partnership with Tunas Hijau, to help Indonesian children achieve their dream of ‘Green Spaces’ in the city of Surabaya.
The postcards come in four different designs, which were drawn by the kids working on the Surabaya Dreaming proje... Millennium Kids Australia is running a postcard fundraiser in partnership with Tunas Hijau, to help Indonesian children achieve their dream of ‘Green Spaces’ in the city of Surabaya.
The postcards come in four different designs, which were drawn by the kids working on the Surabaya Dreaming project and depict their visions for the future of their environment. When you buy these cards you know you will be helping a child achieve their dreams.
Postcards are sold in a pack of 5 for $10, (or $14.50 if you need them posted out to you!). If you would like to purchase some postcards, please email info@milllenniumkids.com.au, or phone the office on (08) 9336 7047. Alternatively, you can mail a cheque or money order to PO Box 760, Fremantle, WA, 6959 with a note explaining how many packs you would like, and your return address!
Millennium Kids Australia and Tunas Hijau Club Indonesia work together to help children solve environmental problems in their local community.
| |  2-Mar-05
Calling 100 schools!!!!!!!
We are looking for 100 schools to raise just $35 each to kickstart the food garden project for Millennium Kids South Africa.
MK South Africa is coming to visit us in Perth! Millennium Kids has been working in South Africa for 4 years, and this month a group will be arriving from South Africa to tak... We are looking for 100 schools to raise just $35 each to kickstart the food garden project for Millennium Kids South Africa.
MK South Africa is coming to visit us in Perth! Millennium Kids has been working in South Africa for 4 years, and this month a group will be arriving from South Africa to take part in the MK Environmental Citizenship for Young Leaders course. While they are here, they will be working hard to bring in some income for their projects back home.
Their largest project is creating food gardens in schools. In some primary schools, 40% of students have lost parents due to AIDS. This means that they have no one in the family to work and earn money, and so they have no money for food.
The food gardens are maintained by students at the schools, and Grandparents come in during the lunch time and cook the kids a meal.
For a gold coin donation from each student, the South Africans will come to your school and do a presentation on what it is like for them at home, and what Millennium Kids is doing to help! They also have a great range of games that can be played using everyday rubbish!
| |  17-Feb-05
2005 Clean Up Day Launch
Participants in the Millennium Kids’ Youth Environmental Leadership program (18-25 years), sponsored by Alcoa World Alumina Australia, creatively demonstrated their skills recently at the Western Australian launch of Clean Up Australia Day in Perth’s Murray Street Mall with Chairman, Mr Ian Kiernan ... Participants in the Millennium Kids’ Youth Environmental Leadership program (18-25 years), sponsored by Alcoa World Alumina Australia, creatively demonstrated their skills recently at the Western Australian launch of Clean Up Australia Day in Perth’s Murray Street Mall with Chairman, Mr Ian Kiernan and Minister for Environment, Dr Judy Edwards.
Four of the Millennium Kids youth leaders, Toby Young, Omar Faydi, Brendan La Mar and Megan Husdon created the words, music and action for a special Clean Up rap performed with 14 Bateman Primary School students.
“Congratulations on the world premiere of the Millennium Kids Clean Up rap” said Dr Edwards who went on to chat to the youth leaders about their current environmental projects.
The Millennium Kids youth leaders undertook to coach, rehearse and co-ordinate the Bateman students in what was a very colourful and entertaining event
| |  17-Feb-05
Sustainable Transport Recognition for MK
(Picture L to R) Megan Hudson, Millennium Kids Youth Board member, Isabella Taylor, South Perth Primary School and Main Roads Western Australia Commissioner, Menno Henneveld.
In December 2004 Millennium Kids was highly commended at the Inaugural Sustainable Transport Awards held in Perth for the... (Picture L to R) Megan Hudson, Millennium Kids Youth Board member, Isabella Taylor, South Perth Primary School and Main Roads Western Australia Commissioner, Menno Henneveld.
In December 2004 Millennium Kids was highly commended at the Inaugural Sustainable Transport Awards held in Perth for their management of the TravelSmart to School program in Western Australia.
During 2003/04 the program was delivered to more than 40 metropolitan and regional schools. 3, 000 students participated directly in the program resulting in an average 23% reduction in car trips and a corresponding 2,400 kg reduction of greenhouse gases over a one week period. In addition, the program has been effective in raising awareness and establishing sustainable travel behaviours in many of those who participated or who supported the program
The inaugural Awards were sponsored by The Public Transport Authority and Main Roads Western Australia.
| |  17-Feb-05
MK MEETS ALCOA FOUNDATION
Millennium Kids, who are sponsored by Alcoa World Alumina Australia, recently briefed Alcoa Foundation representatives Velma Monteiro-Tribble, (third from left) Senior Program Officer of the Alcoa Foundation, Pittsburg, USA and Kylie Cirak, (second from left) Environmental Partnerships and Alcoa Fou... Millennium Kids, who are sponsored by Alcoa World Alumina Australia, recently briefed Alcoa Foundation representatives Velma Monteiro-Tribble, (third from left) Senior Program Officer of the Alcoa Foundation, Pittsburg, USA and Kylie Cirak, (second from left) Environmental Partnerships and Alcoa Foundation Manager, Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Victoria.
Megan Husdon, 20, (left) a Millennium Kids Youth Board Member and Catrina Aniere, (right) Millennium Kids Program Manager summarised the organisation’s priority projects both locally and internationally.
Alcoa’s partnership with Millennium Kids spans almost 10 years. Currently, Alcoa supports the Millennium Kids Environmental Citizenship for Young Leaders program for 18-25 year olds.
The program develops environmental leadership skills which extends Millennium Kids’ capacity by allowing these young adults to assist the organisation in implementing a wider range of projects.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP South Africa - Day 1 - Arrival
MKGP South Africa has operated in North West Province for four years. In December 2004, the MK Program Director,from Australia, visited MKGP South Africa for the first time. The following diary records the eleven days spent with the kids from MKGP South Africa.
After a 20 hour series of flights ... MKGP South Africa has operated in North West Province for four years. In December 2004, the MK Program Director,from Australia, visited MKGP South Africa for the first time. The following diary records the eleven days spent with the kids from MKGP South Africa.
After a 20 hour series of flights I arrived in Johannesburg, from Australia, to be greeted by our fabulous friends from Millennium Kids Global Project South Africa. Lots of cheering and singing at the airport. Little time to greet. There is a quick stop for coffee and introductions and reaffirming old friendships, then into the cars. After four years of MKGP working in South Africa it was time to visit the North West Prvince to meet the children who participate in the program and the fabulous team of adults who have developed the program. After a four hour drive through some beautiful rural countryside we arrived in Mafikeng, home of Millennium Kids. Wow! Millennium Kids in South Africa! It is all real.
By Catrina-Luz Aniere - Program Director - Millennium Kids Headquarters Australia
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP South Africa - Day 3 - Danville Dumpsite and Gala Dinner<
Today we meet the Sponsors of MKGP,Chiefs and Mayor at the Central District Municipality at the North West Province Offices. I meet the Executive Mayor, Councillor M. Mohulatsi, a keen supporter of MKGP. The Council has sponsored my trip to see MKGP programs and visit potential project sites.
Aft... Today we meet the Sponsors of MKGP,Chiefs and Mayor at the Central District Municipality at the North West Province Offices. I meet the Executive Mayor, Councillor M. Mohulatsi, a keen supporter of MKGP. The Council has sponsored my trip to see MKGP programs and visit potential project sites.
After lunch we visit the Danville Dumpsite. We meet the people who live on the site. They search through seafood waste looking for food. Councillor Monthso has not been here before. It is a sad situtation. The MKGP members ask many questions and realise there are many projects they could get involved in.
In the evening I attend the Gala Dinner at the the Council offices. It is a wonderful evening with many speeches. It is wonderful to hear of so many people keen to support the MKGP objectives. I begin my speech in Setswana - it is the right thing to do! " Dumelang, ke lebogela go tla Mafikeng. Keitumeletse taletso. Ke a lorata." It is a very humbling experience.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP South Africa - Day 2 - Botsalano Game Reserve<
Wow - a day at the Botsalano Game Reserve. We eat and greet at the entrance to the game reserve. It is excpetionally hot and windy, but that does not deter us. Lesego, who was a participant in the MK Conference in Perth in 2000, takes us on walk in the game reserve. We look for rhino. Lesego tells ... Wow - a day at the Botsalano Game Reserve. We eat and greet at the entrance to the game reserve. It is excpetionally hot and windy, but that does not deter us. Lesego, who was a participant in the MK Conference in Perth in 2000, takes us on walk in the game reserve. We look for rhino. Lesego tells us how to tell the difference between male and female rhino poo. We look for different tracks. We walk to the viewing platform. We see three rhino in the distance. We follow them on foot, careful to make sure the wind does not take our scent in the direction of the rhino.
After a few hours trekking around the reserve on foot we take a jeep around the reserve and talk to the conservation officer. It is a wonderful way to teach the kids about their local habitat. It is a great day.
We have a barbecue in the evening in the reserve. Lots of meat. Yes, MKGP is alive and well in Africa.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 4 - Chiefs, Kids and Rivers<
Today we met Chief Jeff Montshioa from Barolong Boo - Ratshidi Tribe. Stadt Primary School is in his district and he is keen to hear how the kids can adopt the Molopo River.
After we visit the kids at Stadt Primary School. They are one of the first schools to become involved in MKGP. They have a ... Today we met Chief Jeff Montshioa from Barolong Boo - Ratshidi Tribe. Stadt Primary School is in his district and he is keen to hear how the kids can adopt the Molopo River.
After we visit the kids at Stadt Primary School. They are one of the first schools to become involved in MKGP. They have a food garden that helps to feed some of the kids who have been left orphans. 40% of the students have had parents die from aids or aids related diseases.
The kids sing songs and poems. They dance and sing. I am inspired by their work. In honour of their welcome I ululate - the fabulous noise made by African women to celebrate something. They are so excited that I too can make the sound. They cheer and laugh. It is a wonderful moment.
In the afternoon we visit the Molopo River with the MKGP youth members. We walk along the river bank and using the MK TEN STEPS they tell me of their vision for the river and who they think can help.
We visit a creche near the Molopo River. The kids sing and sing. I leave early to go to Bongani's(5) graduation. Bongani is an MKGP member and the son of Mxolisi and Yvonne, the backbone to MKGP South Africa.
Another wonderful day.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 5 - To Zeerust<
Today is a big day. Up early to say goodbye to Yvonne. She has a new baby and will not join us on the road to visit MKGP schools. We leave at 6.00am for an early meeting in Zeerust. The cars are loaded up and we set off. Sixteen MKGP members will spend five days on the road visiting Mayors, Chiefs ... Today is a big day. Up early to say goodbye to Yvonne. She has a new baby and will not join us on the road to visit MKGP schools. We leave at 6.00am for an early meeting in Zeerust. The cars are loaded up and we set off. Sixteen MKGP members will spend five days on the road visiting Mayors, Chiefs and MKGP projects as part of the trip. We arrive in Zeerust and meet Mayor Sophia, a woman who is keen to hear about the MKGP projects that currently exist. She agrees to meet us in the evening for a dinner with the kids. We visit a local high school where thirty young people have come back to school just for this visit. It is holiday time, but still they want to present their work to the MKGP audience. They have developed a wonderful club that meets at lunchtime. They have ideas for developing a school garden. They want to buy equipment for their project. They sing, they pray and then one young man presents a poem. A thought provoking piece that inspires us all. After the ceremony we visit another school and then another. A bus load of high school students follow us and join us for dinner at our last stop. We have food for forty, but over 150 turn up. We do the 'loaves and the fishes' and everyone is fed. Kids meet and talk of their dreams and aspirations. They believe MKGP can help them. They love the process of kids having a say. It has been another wonderful day - listening to kids who want to make change and have project ideas that can help their communities. We go to sleep with the rain pouring down on the tin roof. There is little sleep after such an exciting day.
| | 19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 6 - To Lichtenburg<
Another drive through village upon village, until we reach Lichtenburg. We have a meeting at the Council to discuss MKGP. We are taken on a tour of two waste sites. One is new, one is old. We meet a woman who runs a recycling company. We talk about how the rubbish is collected. The MKGP students ask... Another drive through village upon village, until we reach Lichtenburg. We have a meeting at the Council to discuss MKGP. We are taken on a tour of two waste sites. One is new, one is old. We meet a woman who runs a recycling company. We talk about how the rubbish is collected. The MKGP students ask questions about waste management. Many of them have never been to a tip before. They are surprised by the amount of rubbish. After a delicious lunch we go to the Breeding Centre. It is hard to reconcile the delicious lunch with the images of the people living on the tip. We take a tour on the back of a truck. We see baby hippo, wilderbeast, deer and Mxolisi talks about the breeding programs. After, we stay at a great site in the breeding centre. We have been given some great accommodation by the Lichtenburg Council. They also provide us with a delicious meal. We debrief later in the evening. We compare Botsalano Reserve and the Breeding Centre. We compare the rubbish tips. The kids prepare their presentation for the Minister for the Environment, North West Province for the next day.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 7 - World Aids Day<
Up early and on the road. Mayor Sophia, from Zeerust, has kindly organised a meeting with the Minister for Environment before the World Aids Day program in Zeerust. We hit the road and sing all the way. We arrive and have our meeting. The kids talk about MKGP. It is a great meeting. The kids do a w... Up early and on the road. Mayor Sophia, from Zeerust, has kindly organised a meeting with the Minister for Environment before the World Aids Day program in Zeerust. We hit the road and sing all the way. We arrive and have our meeting. The kids talk about MKGP. It is a great meeting. The kids do a wonderful job telling their stories. Sampi, a young 16 year old MKGP member is a star. After the meeting we join the World Aids Day Ceremony. Mxolisi translates some of the poems and songs. The story is overwhelming. It reminds everyone of the part they have to play. Protect yourself and care for others is the clear message. We leave for Logageng, a village three hundred kilometres away. The Chief, Chief Molefe is expecting us and they are killing a cow in our honour. We drive and drive. We go through village after village. It is hot, but everyone is happy. Finally, we arrive at the village. We meet the Chief. We are late, so the festivities are postponed until the next day. But the kids come out and welcome us anyway. More dancing and singing. It is such a fabulous welcome. We meet Moffat, a local Council member. He escorts us around the village. He shows us where the women are preparing dinner and the special meal. We watch the dancing, we eat and we talk. We sleep well.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 8 - Leopard Tracks and Salt<
We are up early and out into the game reserveby 7.00am. We want to get to the watering hole to see the animal tracks. On the way Mxolisi points out many of the introduced species. Many of them are Australian. We share stories about weeds and how they are proving to be a major problem in both Austra... We are up early and out into the game reserveby 7.00am. We want to get to the watering hole to see the animal tracks. On the way Mxolisi points out many of the introduced species. Many of them are Australian. We share stories about weeds and how they are proving to be a major problem in both Australia and South Africa. Our stories are similar. People introduce a plant thinking it will help control a problem, only to find the plant causes a problem. In South Africa it is a species of eucalypt tree.The tree has been put in to create windbreaks on farms, but they take up a lot of water and now the farmers can't kill them. They simply regrow. We get to the watering hole. Moffat gets us to look at the tracks. He shows us how to tell which direction the animal has come in from and where it is headed. There is much excitement as he shows us a fresh leopard print.
On the way out we come across a poacher. Mxolisi talks to him at length. The poacher has a trap and several dogs. I ask Mxolisi if he is hunting for food. Mxolisi says 'No'. He explains that people can have hunting rights if they are after food, but this man appears to be hunting so he can sell the produce. We travel further, out of the reserve to our next meeting. We meet at the Council offices. It is a Saturday, but everyone has turned up. Once again the kids present. They are good - no - in fact they are great. Some have gained confidence. They stand tall - confident with the message. It is a great moment. We visit another tip. We talk to a man who shows us his plastic bag house. He welcomes us inside. He is keen to tell us his story. He wants work. He is proud. After the tip we eat lunch with the Mayor. He is also keen to support MKGP. We depart for the ceremony at Logageng.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 8 - Ceremony in the Dust<
We travel back to Logageng village. Everyone is waiting. There are thousands of people waiting. We make our way to the craul. We are seated at the Chief's table. There are many speeches. The Chief is keen we talk to the kids and get their opinions. There are many fabulous dances. Most of them tradit... We travel back to Logageng village. Everyone is waiting. There are thousands of people waiting. We make our way to the craul. We are seated at the Chief's table. There are many speeches. The Chief is keen we talk to the kids and get their opinions. There are many fabulous dances. Most of them traditional. There are beautiful young people dancing and singing. There is traditional food. We talk for hours. We listen and hear of unemployment and hope. We listen to mothers and the elderly. We listen to kids. The story is the same. Little water - the hope for a better world for the kids. We talk and listen from 2pm - 8pm. There are many project ideas. Sampi writes them all down.
After the meeting there is a meal and more food. We talk more and then retire. We plan to send curriculum material to the school and we need to talk more about what MKGP can do in the village.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 9 - Swimming in the Dam<
We are up early for a traditional breakfast. It is a sour type of porridge. Everyone watches as we eat. We leave to go back to Mafikeng. We take the gravel road as we will see more. There are thousands of donkeys eating grass along the side of the road. Mxolisi says they are a big problem.
We s... We are up early for a traditional breakfast. It is a sour type of porridge. Everyone watches as we eat. We leave to go back to Mafikeng. We take the gravel road as we will see more. There are thousands of donkeys eating grass along the side of the road. Mxolisi says they are a big problem.
We stop outside Mafikeng at the local dam. It is huge. It is a very hot day so we all play by the water. Then we play in the water. Then we are all wet and laughing and some swim. We cool off for an hour or so and then head back to Mafikeng where we meet up with Thina Moselane, the Manager: Planning and Development at the Central District Municipality. She has been our key contact with the Council and we give her a brief report before catching up with Yvonne for the last time.
| |  19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 10 - Sun City and the Australian Embassy<
We are in the cars early. We have a two hour drive to meet Isobel, from Green Friends at Sun City Resort. It pours and pours with rain and we are running late. Finally, we meet Isobel and we visit several school and community gardens. It is wonderful as many of the MKGP schools we have visited dur... We are in the cars early. We have a two hour drive to meet Isobel, from Green Friends at Sun City Resort. It pours and pours with rain and we are running late. Finally, we meet Isobel and we visit several school and community gardens. It is wonderful as many of the MKGP schools we have visited during the week have been developing food gardens. We talk of synergies between the two programs.
After the gardens we are treated to a fabulous breakfast at Sun City Resort. The MKGP members are wildly enthusiastic. They have never been anywhere like it. We eat and talk and plan.
Then, off to the Australian Embassy in Pretoria. It is another long drive with cars banked up in the rain. The air is heavy as my trip is drawing to a close and there is so much still to do - so many converstaions we have not yet had - so much planning to do.
The kids present to representatives from the Australian Embassy. By this time I am very emotional. These kids have gone from having adults represent them to an able group of very articulate young people. I am thrilled with them all. The meeting is wonderful.
We then settle into our hotel. The kids explore the rooms and Lesego and I meet to discuss Business Plans and Grant Proposals. It is another exciting day - mostly because people have loved the concept of MKGP and the work the kids have already done - and because in every way the trip has been a huge success.
We eat out at a cheap chicken restaurant - we do not have much money, but we are all full of plans of how we can achieve the goals of these kids. Councillor Kedibone Matlhomane is with us. We talk and plan and then we say our formal goodbyes. There are long speeches about friendship and plans and more plans. Plans of how we can make these dreams of the kids come true. Simple dreams of food and water and an education - plans of an eco village designed by kids. We talk until we fall asleep at the table. Sleep does not come easily as we all know talk is cheap.
| | 19-Dec-04
MKGP - South Africa - Day 11 - The Beginning<
The last day is like most last days. The mood is sombre. The singing stops. We travel to Johannesburg and the car is quiet. It is pouring with rain, which is great, but the highway is very slow and very dangerous. We say our goodbyes. Promises of future projects, leadership courses, ways to sponsor... The last day is like most last days. The mood is sombre. The singing stops. We travel to Johannesburg and the car is quiet. It is pouring with rain, which is great, but the highway is very slow and very dangerous. We say our goodbyes. Promises of future projects, leadership courses, ways to sponsor the kids. Promises that we must keep.
Good bye South Africa. Good bye Mafikeng and friends from North West Province. May this be the beginning of "a thousand years of kids care".
| |  6-Dec-04
MK Wins Alcoa Global Award!!
A ceremony on Thursday, November 25, recognised Millennium Kids as a Winner partner with Alcoa World Alumina Australia when we received an EHS Achievement Award for 2004 with the entry "Millennium Kids - A partnership for the future."
The global EHS Achievement Awards recognise Environment, Healt... A ceremony on Thursday, November 25, recognised Millennium Kids as a Winner partner with Alcoa World Alumina Australia when we received an EHS Achievement Award for 2004 with the entry "Millennium Kids - A partnership for the future."
The global EHS Achievement Awards recognise Environment, Health and Safety achievements in Aloca partnerships at a global, regional, national or local level and are earned by business units, locations, teams or individuals.
"These awards are designed to recognise outstanding performance and aim to accelerate the pursuit of sustainability by encouraging knowledge transfer between Alcoa locations worldwide and their communities," said Director Western Australian Operations Guilio Casello. "The awards are much sought after. This year, 20 nominations were received from our facilities in Australia. The standard was very high. In the end, we were ony allowed to put forward six nominations for final consideration at a corporate level."
As many of you will know, Alcoa has been a sponsor, supporter and mentor of Millennium Kids since the organisation began, and it was great to see that 10 years on these two groups are still working together successfully to help the environment."
If you would like more information about Alcoa and the EHS Awards you can visit the environment section of www.Alcoa.com
| |  1-Dec-04
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION STRATEGY LAUNCH
After years of planning, The Minister for Environment Dr Judy Edwards announced the newly established Environmental Education Strategy & Environmental Education Advisory Committee at Mullaloo Heights Primary School. The launch was very successful, highlighting a school that is dedicated to the envi... After years of planning, The Minister for Environment Dr Judy Edwards announced the newly established Environmental Education Strategy & Environmental Education Advisory Committee at Mullaloo Heights Primary School. The launch was very successful, highlighting a school that is dedicated to the environment throughout many aspects of their curriculum. Millennium Kids were there for the launch and were able to see for themselves students becoming active and aware in their schools. Mullaloo Heights Primary School should be commended! From little things big things grow, and the launch provided Millennium Kids with the opportunity to discuss environmental issues and future projects with Dr Judy Edwards, Mr. Tony O'Gorman MLA (Member for Joondalup), Green Stamp, AAEE, and many more!
| |  25-Nov-04
MK FACILITATE AT THE WA 2029 CONFERENCE
Millennium Kids Megan Hudson, Lauren Chapman and Tobias Young were invited to facilitate an environmental workshop at the recently conducted WA 2029 State Conference. The conference celebrated the 175th Anniversary Western Australia, and was focused upon where delegates see themselves in 25 years. ... Millennium Kids Megan Hudson, Lauren Chapman and Tobias Young were invited to facilitate an environmental workshop at the recently conducted WA 2029 State Conference. The conference celebrated the 175th Anniversary Western Australia, and was focused upon where delegates see themselves in 25 years. On the final day of the conference (Friday 19th November) there were motivational speeches and workshops for young people aged between 10 and 16 as part of a youth forum. The forum was officially opened by the Honourable Sheila McHale (Minister for Youth), while youth community leaders including the Millennium Kids facilitated the day’s workshops.
As part of the environmental workshops, primary school aged students were asked to consider the most important current environmental issues. Then, constructing a ‘future wheel’ examine the positive and negative consequences of our current and future actions.
The workshop gave Millennium Kids an excellent opportunity to discuss with approximately 90 students how important environmental awareness is, and how even small things on a local scale can help to make a significant difference for our environment in the future. It also assisted in developing further facilitation skills for the Millennium Kids Youth Leaders.
At the conclusion of the youth forum, students presented the key ideas that had been developed in the workshops. In the environmental workshops the most important idea was that we had to taken action now to ensure environmental conservation. Such ideas were passed onto the Western Australian Premier, other politicians and conference organisers to show the youth’s opinions on a number of future issues.
Millennium Kids would like to take this opportunity to once again thank for the Office for Children and Youth for the opportunity to facilitate as part of the conference.
Tobias Young, Megan Hudson, Lauren Chapman
| |  25-Nov-04
MILLENNIUM KIDS ON TRIPLE J
One of the best ways to make sure that an organisation is successful is to make sure that we can get our message across to Australian youth!! Over the next few weeks Triple J is running a radio segment on businesses run by youth, and thanks to an interview this morning Millennium Kids will feature ... One of the best ways to make sure that an organisation is successful is to make sure that we can get our message across to Australian youth!! Over the next few weeks Triple J is running a radio segment on businesses run by youth, and thanks to an interview this morning Millennium Kids will feature on one such segment. The segment discusses how the environmental organisation has grown, and the types of skills that youth can acquire within Millennium Kids. Keep tuned for details on when the broadcast will take place.
| | 18-Oct-04
Recycling in the USA<
hi there Millennium Kids Australia. We are a teen group and we aim to teach recycling to grade school children. Rachael Paulson,children's environmental author will pass on her famous recycling workshop to her teen group now called Crestmont Kids. They will start to present this event to grade schoo... hi there Millennium Kids Australia. We are a teen group and we aim to teach recycling to grade school children. Rachael Paulson,children's environmental author will pass on her famous recycling workshop to her teen group now called Crestmont Kids. They will start to present this event to grade school kids around the world! We have contacted Alcoa here in the states hoping to have their interest. We met Millennium Kids years ago at the UNEP conference in England and thought WOW!!!! we can do this too. They have inspired us and we hope one day to join the group to show them our workshop. We know we will have much to learn from them as always.
| |  3-Oct-04
Millennium Kids Meeting - Kids Voice Planning Begins<
Millennium Kids will be planning a series of events in 2005 to celebrate "Ten Years of Kids Voice". Yes, it was in 1995 that four children from Western Australia were selected to attend the UNEP Children Environmental Conference in the UK. Millennium Kids are planning a series of adventures, events... Millennium Kids will be planning a series of events in 2005 to celebrate "Ten Years of Kids Voice". Yes, it was in 1995 that four children from Western Australia were selected to attend the UNEP Children Environmental Conference in the UK. Millennium Kids are planning a series of adventures, events and activites for each month of 2005, but we need your help to plan these programs. Why not join us at the next meeting on Sunday 4th October and let us know your ideas. Or write to us and we can help you plan an event in your community. Call Catrina on 08 9336 70 47 for more information.
| |  14-Sep-04
MK South Africa Alive and Well
Some of you may rememeber hearing of our project in South Africa. Well, we have just received a fantastic update on their work. They are now a registered not for profit organisation with their headquarters in Mafikeng, Mmabatho, South Africa. MK Australia received a great letter outlining some of th... Some of you may rememeber hearing of our project in South Africa. Well, we have just received a fantastic update on their work. They are now a registered not for profit organisation with their headquarters in Mafikeng, Mmabatho, South Africa. MK Australia received a great letter outlining some of the work they have been doing. They have a membership of over 200 children and are planning a conference in November and some camping activities in December. They have posted a big report of all their work to date so stay tuned for some up to date photographs and news.
Thanks to all the Millennium Kids in Australia who helped fund raise to kick start their project - the $1000.00 donation was a great help.
| | 13-Sep-04
MK Wins Alcoa Global Award
The Millennium Kids Youth Board met yesterday to celebrate their Alcoa 2004 Environmental Health and Saftey Award. The award recognises the processes Millennium Kids have put in place to help young people identify and address environmental issues in the community.
"This is great", said Lauren Cha... The Millennium Kids Youth Board met yesterday to celebrate their Alcoa 2004 Environmental Health and Saftey Award. The award recognises the processes Millennium Kids have put in place to help young people identify and address environmental issues in the community.
"This is great", said Lauren Chapman, Youth Board President. " We have worked hard since the first conference in 1996 to get the wider community to help us make our projects happen. In 2000 we wrote the Millennium Kids Ten Steps and started to think about how everyone could start a project by following our simple process. Now, in 2004 we have had over 100 schools and community groups use this process."
For more information about the awards visit www.alcoa.com
| |  13-Sep-04
MK Talk Triple Bottom Line Leadership<
Recently, the Millennium Kids Youth Board met with the Alcoa World Alumina Australia national executive to talk Triple Bottom Line Leadership. The kids were pleased to see that their three MK rules were also about triple bottom line leadership. The MK rules are - HAVE FUN - EAT CHOCOLATE -AND HELP ... Recently, the Millennium Kids Youth Board met with the Alcoa World Alumina Australia national executive to talk Triple Bottom Line Leadership. The kids were pleased to see that their three MK rules were also about triple bottom line leadership. The MK rules are - HAVE FUN - EAT CHOCOLATE -AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. The company executives talked about what leadership meant to them now and in the future. The meeting lasted over one hour and at the end everyone seemed to understand what each group meant when talking about leaders for the future. MK plan to put all their experiences together in a new Leadership - What Does It Mean? program, that will be launched at Bateman Primary School in Term1V, 2004.
| |  13-Sep-04
MK Youth Present Report to Minister for the Environment<
Lauren, Yvette and Megan recently met with the Minister for Environment at Parliament House, Western Australia to present the MK Report - Ningaloo Odyssey.
In April, seven participants in the new MK Environmental Citizenship Program for Young Leaders visited Cape Range National Park to see for ... Lauren, Yvette and Megan recently met with the Minister for Environment at Parliament House, Western Australia to present the MK Report - Ningaloo Odyssey.
In April, seven participants in the new MK Environmental Citizenship Program for Young Leaders visited Cape Range National Park to see for themselves what was happening in the park and to find out what the long term effects of tourism would have in the park and Ningaloo Reef.
It took the team several months before they finslised the report which they will present to stakeholders outlining their views.
The Millennium Kids aim to identify a project they can undertake at Cape Range National Park as part of a volunteering program. If you would like a copy of the report or want to find out about their volunteering plans call MK Headquarters on 08 9336 7047. Stay tuned for more MK adventures.
| | 30-Jul-04
Alicia - Millennium Kid on the Move
Hi I am Alicia. I was one of the original kids who started the idea of having a conference for young people in Western Australia in 1996. I am an Honorary Member of MK and thought I would let you know what I have been up to.
The Sunrise program, an Australian Channel 7 televison program, launche... Hi I am Alicia. I was one of the original kids who started the idea of having a conference for young people in Western Australia in 1996. I am an Honorary Member of MK and thought I would let you know what I have been up to.
The Sunrise program, an Australian Channel 7 televison program, launched a competition for people who were interested in running for the Senate at the next election. This competition would help candidates through media exposure and a donation towards campaign expenses. I jumped at the opportunity, given my passion for community issues. I sent in my 3 minute video talking about three issues that I am most passionate about. They were the environment, education and reconciliation. A week later, I had a phone call from Channel Seven saying I had been chosen as one of the 3 finalists in Western Australia. I was so excited about being chosen. The next weekend, I was flown to Canberra for a Policy Thinktank. I met all the finalists from the different states and we discussed the issues that were most important to us. We finished the day by presenting a one-minute policy speech. This policy speech was presented on the Sunrise program. To win the competition, viewers voted on who they would like to see run at the next election. I was overwhelmed to see, I had won 64% of the viewers voting and won the competition in Western Australia. I am excited at the challenge of running at the next election. Currently I am devising my policies and planning my campaign. If you would like to help, please email me at alicia@aliciacurtis.com.
Alicia Curtis
| | 28-Jul-04
New Office For Millennium Kids Inc Headquarters - Australia
Millennium Kids Inc Headquarters in Western Australia have moved office. They are now located in the Coastal Business Centre in Knutsford Street Fremantle. 'The new office is great,"said Lauren Chapman, one of three MK Presidents for MK in 2004. 'It has everything we need. There is a big Boardroom ... Millennium Kids Inc Headquarters in Western Australia have moved office. They are now located in the Coastal Business Centre in Knutsford Street Fremantle. 'The new office is great,"said Lauren Chapman, one of three MK Presidents for MK in 2004. 'It has everything we need. There is a big Boardroom for our meetings and the office space can grow and change as we need it.'
The space is actually a cell in a wing of the Old Fremantle Prison. In fact there are over 20 other businesses located in the building. MK thinks this is a great use of the space and a great place for them to start a new decade of work with young people.
| | 28-Jul-04
Youth Focus Ball
In July 2004,representatives of Millennium Kids Youth Board, Yvette Willison (20 years) and Catrina-Luz Aniere, Program Director, attended the Youth Focus Ball at the Grand Ballroom at the Burswood in Perth, Western Australia. Not only did it give Millennium Kids an opportunity to dress up, but they... In July 2004,representatives of Millennium Kids Youth Board, Yvette Willison (20 years) and Catrina-Luz Aniere, Program Director, attended the Youth Focus Ball at the Grand Ballroom at the Burswood in Perth, Western Australia. Not only did it give Millennium Kids an opportunity to dress up, but they were able to see what other organisations were doing to empower young people. Youth Focus is a not-for- profit organisation that helps young people affected by depression.
" It was great to see so many people helping young people","said Yvette."And it is great to see so many companies supporting these youth initiatives.
The best part of the night was the auction. There were lots of great things to bid for - including a flight to an airforce base and a flight on a F14 fighter jet simulator. And you guessed it - there were lots of boys bidding!
Millennium Kids were guests at the Alcoa World Alumina Australia table
| |  27-Jul-04
'TravelSmart to School' 2004
Millennium Kids has worked with 20 metropolitan schools, and approximately 20 Bunbury / Geraldton Schools during 2004, in an effort to reduce greenhouse pollution, and increase fitness opportunities and road safety around schools. An average of 25% less car trips were made as a result of this progra... Millennium Kids has worked with 20 metropolitan schools, and approximately 20 Bunbury / Geraldton Schools during 2004, in an effort to reduce greenhouse pollution, and increase fitness opportunities and road safety around schools. An average of 25% less car trips were made as a result of this program. The 'TravelSmart to School' program is funded by the Departrment for Planning & Infrastructure.
| |  23-Jul-04
A Farmer's Perspective on Tree Planting Day
We had a great day running MK Tree Planting Day. I guess it helps promote a rural-urban link and provides kids with the opportunity to see and do a few "farm" type things. The highlights for us often is the pleasure/opportunities that it gives and makes us sit back and enjoy some of the really good ... We had a great day running MK Tree Planting Day. I guess it helps promote a rural-urban link and provides kids with the opportunity to see and do a few "farm" type things. The highlights for us often is the pleasure/opportunities that it gives and makes us sit back and enjoy some of the really good things we have which we often don't make the time to enjoy. Gives us time to "smell the roses" , well so to speak.
Colin's highlight I think was one of the Mums who had never sat in a tractor before, and some of the kids who were surprised that he had a laptop in his tractor. For me the couple of kids who were able to hold one of our chooks and pat it, was great. The kids wanting to play in the mud and puddles when we were planting trees was funny especially as the parents didn't particularly want them too. I guess it brings back memories of the things Linda and Gary enjoyed, much to their parents chagrin,all the time while growing up and is a part of being a kid.
I guess each individual cherishes something special and different about the day and it is great that we are able to help provide it. It is great to see the many people who keep coming back each year - seems like about half are regulars!
By the way, MK planted 3100 trees this year. And in all we now have planted over 200,000 trees since we started planting 18 years ago.
| |  22-Jun-04
Research Team Takes A Walk on the Wild Side
Students from Como PS and South Perth PS will be "employed" as a research team to identify the range of endangered species housed at Perth Zoo. Students will select an animal to research, including use of the internet, and plan a print advertising campaign to highlight these animals and their plight... Students from Como PS and South Perth PS will be "employed" as a research team to identify the range of endangered species housed at Perth Zoo. Students will select an animal to research, including use of the internet, and plan a print advertising campaign to highlight these animals and their plight throughout their school and local community.
By Kate, Scott, Elliott, Richard, Chloe, Max, Robert, Mitchell, Shane, Jeremy, Sarah, Peter and Catrina
| |  12-Jun-04
John Henry Joins Tunas Hijau in Indonesia
On 1st June I caught an aeroplane to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first time I had been on a plane.
We arrived in Jakarta and were picked up by Trevor, the Regional Director of Trade and taken on a tour of the old port in Jakarta. I was amazed to see all the ships transporting wood from Kalimanta... On 1st June I caught an aeroplane to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first time I had been on a plane.
We arrived in Jakarta and were picked up by Trevor, the Regional Director of Trade and taken on a tour of the old port in Jakarta. I was amazed to see all the ships transporting wood from Kalimantan to Jakarta where it would be taken around the world.
A man tried to sell us a snake from Kalimantan. It was about two metres long. It was black and gold. It was very beautiful, but i politely told the man I could not buy it.
I was in Indonesia to attend World Environment Day with our friends from Tunas Hijau Club. It was really intersting to see all the exhibitions. There was a really interesting waterfall that made a beautiful sound.
I met the Vice President of Indonesia and he signed our friendship quilt. I made many new friends and I ate lots of Indonesian food.
Thanks to the Australia Indonesia Institute and Newmont Mining for sponsoring our attendence at this event. A full report will be on the website soon. By John Henry(10 years)
| |  10-Jun-04
Millennium Kids Raise Funds For Surabaya Dreaming
My friend Nastiti comes from Surabaya, Indonesia. She is a member of Tunas Hijau Club. Nastiti told me about how they are trying to raise money for building children's parks in Surabaya. I decided to help them. I went to the Indonesian Bazaar at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia on 29th... My friend Nastiti comes from Surabaya, Indonesia. She is a member of Tunas Hijau Club. Nastiti told me about how they are trying to raise money for building children's parks in Surabaya. I decided to help them. I went to the Indonesian Bazaar at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia on 29th May 2004. I sold 52 tickets in my raffle. The prize was one of Nastiti's drawings. I raised $104.00 altogether.
If you want to raise money for a program that you think is important make a plan. Then get an adult to help you. I can't wait to hear about how my money helped Nastiti's park. By Isabella
| | 10-Jun-04
World Environment Day - Jakarta
Millennium Kids were invited to join the Tunas Hijau Club to celebrate World Environment Day in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Three representatives from Millennium Kids travelled to Jakarta and met their friends from Tunas Hijau Club. They spent a day setting up their display at the Jakarta Convention Cent... Millennium Kids were invited to join the Tunas Hijau Club to celebrate World Environment Day in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Three representatives from Millennium Kids travelled to Jakarta and met their friends from Tunas Hijau Club. They spent a day setting up their display at the Jakarta Convention Centre right in the middle of the city.
The exhibition ran from 3 - 6 June and highlighted local, community and industry environmental projects.
'It was really exciting to see so many interesting projects being developed at community level," said Millennium Kids Program Director, Catrina. ' Big companies were supporting local initiatives and there were many young people who were starting projects of their own.'
After the exhibition Millennium Kids will prepare a report on the event and create a list of organisations that schools can support through fund raising or information exchange.
For more information contact Millennium Kids Inc at info@millenniumkids.com.au
Millennium Kids representatives were sponsored to attend the event by Newmont Australia and the Australia Indonesia Institute.
| |  7-May-04
Night Walk Though Koondoola Reginal Bushland
Koondoola Regional Bushland is a 136-hectare reserve situated approximately 130 kilometres from the Perth C.B.D. Millennium Kids took part in a Koondoola Regional Bushland night walk, organised by Rhys and Erika Maylam, members of the Millennium Kids Youth Board. It started with a sausage sizzle a... Koondoola Regional Bushland is a 136-hectare reserve situated approximately 130 kilometres from the Perth C.B.D. Millennium Kids took part in a Koondoola Regional Bushland night walk, organised by Rhys and Erika Maylam, members of the Millennium Kids Youth Board. It started with a sausage sizzle and briefing, before we made our way to the reserve.
There we met our guides for the evening, Alice Stubber, Phylis Robertson and David Pike. We headed down an old firebreak, where we spotted several Orb Spiders, many crickets, Christmas Spiders, and lots of moths and dragonflies.
It was a great night, with over 50 children and parents participating.
| | 29-Mar-04
LORD OF THE WEEDS!!
The Weeds Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has designed a competition, including all resources (such as suggested lesson plans, student proformas to guide students through writing the report, marking guide and appropriate contacts for teachers to use). This way,finding a weedy area in the school or... The Weeds Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has designed a competition, including all resources (such as suggested lesson plans, student proformas to guide students through writing the report, marking guide and appropriate contacts for teachers to use). This way,finding a weedy area in the school or local area should be the only difficult thing to do. The winning reports in the 2 divisions (junior and senior secondary) will WIN $1000 each, to be used by their school as the school determines.
This competition was written with the purpose of enabling students to develop a sense of ownership and pride in their school environment/local area by designing solutions to identified environmental problems. Also, to develop a greater understanding of weed issues in their surroundings. The winning report and photos of the student/teacher group will be displayed on the Weeds CRC worldwide website.The aim of this competition is for students to identify and then design a strategy to manage weeds in the school, or in the local area. The students write a report, using the resources available. The report will;state the problems/significance of the weed(s)involved, suggest an appropriate management strategy, and argue the merits of that strategy.
Registration for the competition is to be received before 24th of May 2004. The closing date for the student report is 27th of August 2004.To obtain contact details, information about the competition and resources to support teachers please visit our website http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/and follow the link for schools to the competition details.
| | 7-Mar-04
MKIDS CLEAN UP RIVER SITE
A bus load of Millennium Kids from Perth travelled to the Collie River in Eaton on Clean Up Australia Day to clean up the park along the river. The kids collected four bags of rubbbish - most of it being cigarette butts from around the barbecue areas.
"People must just sit here while they are ha... A bus load of Millennium Kids from Perth travelled to the Collie River in Eaton on Clean Up Australia Day to clean up the park along the river. The kids collected four bags of rubbbish - most of it being cigarette butts from around the barbecue areas.
"People must just sit here while they are having their barbecue and flick all the butts out into the park. And there is a bin about 5 metres away! People really are weird," said Melissa,(10 years).
The kids from Perth were joined by family and friends from the local area. They enjoyed a barbecue lunch and then drove back to the city.
A big thank you to the Foundation for Young Australians for supporting the event.
| |  27-Jan-04
Ryan Visits From China
Ryan has been in Western Australia visiting some interesting sites with Millennium Kids. He ate Hungry Jacks on the jetty before visiting the beautiful South Perth foreshore. | |  16-Nov-03
International Day of Tolerance
Millennium Kids, Western Australia will be creating a Friendship Quilt to celebrate the International Day of Tolerance. Children from Surabaya, Indonesia and schools around Western Australia will make the quilt while they take part in the Millennium Kids Environmental Conference 2003, 28 - 31 Octobe... Millennium Kids, Western Australia will be creating a Friendship Quilt to celebrate the International Day of Tolerance. Children from Surabaya, Indonesia and schools around Western Australia will make the quilt while they take part in the Millennium Kids Environmental Conference 2003, 28 - 31 October 2003. The quilt will feature artwork created by the children at the conference symbolising the friendship between the groups of children.
"At the conference we will be taking part in workshops that take us from the forest to the sea, " said Roisin (12 years), from Morley. "While we are learning about the environment we will be making friends with children from Indonesia. We will make a quilt to celebrate this friendship and we will present the quilt to the Indonesian Consul at the end of the conference.
If you would like to add to the quilt please contact Millennium Kids at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| |  28-Oct-03
Wesley Boys Move One Step Closer to Success!
Some of the students in the year 10 class who did an audit of the college boatshed discovered several disturbing issues concerning vegetation. The boys have identified ways in which to overcome their problems with the assistance of the Murdoch Environmental Technology Center. The problems/issues i... Some of the students in the year 10 class who did an audit of the college boatshed discovered several disturbing issues concerning vegetation. The boys have identified ways in which to overcome their problems with the assistance of the Murdoch Environmental Technology Center. The problems/issues included:
- Lack of native flora.
- Drainage under the building.
- Erosion of retaining wall.
In conjunction with the ETC the boys have put forward the idea to replace the existing flora with native species. Not only will this be good for the wildlife; the trees will absorb excess water, which will help prevent the erosion problem. However, if local residents are concerned of viewing the boatshed after the removal of the introduced trees don't fret! We have combated this by proposing to plant native flora now and gradually remove the introduced trees as the boatshed is hidden. Which will in run look more like what the wetland use to appear.
Students have also put forward the suggestion to create a lake, joined to the river, to help drain excess water. This lake will be lined with native sege and bull rushes to help absorb excess nutrients, create a habitat for local fauna and prevents erosion.
The final proposal is the planting of sege and bull rushes along the length of Sir James Mitchell Park. Not only will these plants prevent erosion of the riverbank, they will protect the retaining wall, which is currently damaged due to erosion. So in this case it is the taxpayer that benefits from these great plants!
| | 29-Sep-03
Wesley College on Cutting Edge of Sustainability
Good news for the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia! Did you know that a group of Year 10 Wesley boys are conducting an environmental audit of the Wesley Boat-shed, which is located on the foreshore of Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth?
In 2003, Wesley Year 10s Society and Environment...
Good news for the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia! Did you know that a group of Year 10 Wesley boys are conducting an environmental audit of the Wesley Boat-shed, which is located on the foreshore of Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth?
In 2003, Wesley Year 10s Society and Environment students conducted an audit of Sir James Mitchell Park using the Millennium Kids Green Teams Ten Steps. The boys identified the Wesley boatshed as an environmental project, concluding that the boat-shed required upgrading. In trying to promote a healthier river and foreshore the Society and Environment group is studying ways to design and implement a more environmentally friendly boat-shed proposal. The boat-shed has been on the foreshore since 1955.
We are currently designing a website to report to the community and stakeholders about our project. We have identified your organisation as a stakeholder and would appreciate your feedback on our project. You will be receiving regular news updates as our project progresses. We will send you website details soon. If you have any inquiries please contact Catrina Luz Aniere - Millennium Kids on 0418923968 or Ms McGann -Wesley College on 08 93688000.
| |  22-Sep-03
Have a Say - Postcards to the New Millennium
Every year Millennium Kids asks young people to let us know about their concerns for the environment. Each year thousands of children write to us and let us know about a problem in their community.
After our Millennium Kids Conference 2003 we will once again take these ideas and present them to ... Every year Millennium Kids asks young people to let us know about their concerns for the environment. Each year thousands of children write to us and let us know about a problem in their community.
After our Millennium Kids Conference 2003 we will once again take these ideas and present them to State Parliament in Western Australia. We will also send them to the United Nations Environment Program in Kenya.
This is your chance to have a say! Please send us an email at info@millenniumkids.com.au and tell us what you are concerned about or write to us at Millennium Kids Inc, PO Box 760, Fremantle, Western Australia.
Keep up the good work.
Millennium Kids Youth Board
| |  22-Sep-03
Thirty Seconds of Fame
Millennium Kids in Geraldton have just finished the first part of their film making workshop. Students from eight schools spent the weekend making a commercial to promote TravelSmart to School.
The kids started by creating a storyboard of their ideas and then drew a series of pictures to tell th... Millennium Kids in Geraldton have just finished the first part of their film making workshop. Students from eight schools spent the weekend making a commercial to promote TravelSmart to School.
The kids started by creating a storyboard of their ideas and then drew a series of pictures to tell their story.
The kids are waiting for the editors to finish their commercial and then they are hoping to get it on television.
TravelSmart is simple - just walk, ride, car pool or take a bus to school and reduce greenhouse gas!
| | 15-Sep-03
Millennium Kids Conference 2003
Yes, there is something positive happening in the world!
The Millennium Kids Youth Board members, in Perth,Western Australia, have been working hard to put together their 8th annual environmental conference - Millennium Kids Conference 2003.
" M-KIDS - M- POWER"
From the Forest to the ... Yes, there is something positive happening in the world!
The Millennium Kids Youth Board members, in Perth,Western Australia, have been working hard to put together their 8th annual environmental conference - Millennium Kids Conference 2003.
" M-KIDS - M- POWER"
From the Forest to the Sea
It is all about getting out and doing something positive in the environment. Run by kids for kids, this conference is your opportunity to help find kids, 10 - 18 years, who want to put up their hand and have a say about the environment. At the conference kids can share their thoughts AND then find ways to do something about their concerns!
Please download the pdf and give it to someone who may be interested in joining the conference or email us at info@millenniumkids.com.au for your conference information pack.
| |  10-Sep-03
St. Josephs Kids TravelSmart to the show
A year seven class from St. Josephs Catholic Primary School in Queens Park had the unique opportunity to TravelSmart to the official media launch of the Perth Royal Show on Wednesday September 10, 2003.
Students from St. Josephs School recently participated in the ‘TravelSmart to Schools’ program... A year seven class from St. Josephs Catholic Primary School in Queens Park had the unique opportunity to TravelSmart to the official media launch of the Perth Royal Show on Wednesday September 10, 2003.
Students from St. Josephs School recently participated in the ‘TravelSmart to Schools’ program, a partnership between Millennium Kids, an environmental organisation for youth based in Western Australia, and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
Travelsmart aims to reduce air pollution by reducing Perth’s high level of car use, encouraging people to walk, ride, use public transport or car-pool.
As well as aiming to reduce air pollution, the ‘TravelSmart to Schools’ program also encourages higher levels of physical activity for children, as well as a reduction in traffic congestion around schools.
Students from St Joseph’s Year Seven Class had the second highest reduction in car use out of all the metropolitan schools participating in the ‘TravelSmart to Schools’ competition. For their efforts, the class won a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, including free all day multirider passes for use on public transport, and a free backpack for each child.
The Year Seven class used the internet to plan the journey to and from the Perth Royal Show Media Launch. The free multiriders were used to travel by train from Queens park train station to Claremont train station.
At the Media Launch of the Perth Royal Show the class were entertained by Brazilian dancers, sheep and goat shearers, stilt walkers, a dirt-biker, wood choppers, story-tellers, a petting zoo, Aboriginal dancers, as well as promotional characters for chocolate and icecream companies.
As a bonus, the class received a free ticket to the Royal show, as well as a free lunch, drinks, icy-pole, fruit and a showbag.
The class thoroughly enjoyed the day, but the weather wasn’t that spectacular.
Thankyou to Tash Birch (Royal Agricultural Society), Travelsmart and Millennium Kids.
| |  26-Aug-03
Frog Ponds Made Easy at Perth Zoo
If you have the opportunity to visit the Perth Zoo why not visit the Rainforest Exhibit and see the Millennium Kids Frog Pond Made Easy, built by Millennium Kids from South Perth Primary School with help from Perth Zoo, Greening Australia and the Western Australian Museum.
For the Frog Ponds Made... If you have the opportunity to visit the Perth Zoo why not visit the Rainforest Exhibit and see the Millennium Kids Frog Pond Made Easy, built by Millennium Kids from South Perth Primary School with help from Perth Zoo, Greening Australia and the Western Australian Museum.
For the Frog Ponds Made Easy brochure email info@millenniumkids.com.au
| |  5-Jun-03
Millennium Kids meet Indonesian President
World Environment Day 2003 was a great day for Millennium Kids Indonesian Partners from Tunas Hijau Club, who met the President of Indonesia, and told her about their projects and their partneship with Millennium Kids.
Gracia and Thory told the President about their visit to meet Millennium Kids ... World Environment Day 2003 was a great day for Millennium Kids Indonesian Partners from Tunas Hijau Club, who met the President of Indonesia, and told her about their projects and their partneship with Millennium Kids.
Gracia and Thory told the President about their visit to meet Millennium Kids in Australia, and the Surabaya Dreaming program that their Australian friends will be running in Surabaya in 2003.
| |  24-May-03
Save the world - Orson Buggy
Orson Buggy saves the world from that icky green-house gas that can hurt nature. I'm glad that Millennium Kids are aware. With out them the air would not be friendly. Just remember, TravelSmart - do your part!
This is for Orson :
If you want to see the day
Stop drivin' your car
You ride ... Orson Buggy saves the world from that icky green-house gas that can hurt nature. I'm glad that Millennium Kids are aware. With out them the air would not be friendly. Just remember, TravelSmart - do your part!
This is for Orson :
If you want to see the day
Stop drivin' your car
You ride the atmosphere away
Start "hiken and a bikin'"
Or even take a bus
Clean up the air for the rest of us
So TravelSmart, Do your part
Get on your feet, off the seat
So TravelSmart, Do your part
TravelSmart!
| | 9-May-03
Bumper Stickers
Save your heart TravelSmart!
Talk to hand because the car ain't listening! TravelSmart
By Mitchell, age 9 | |  8-May-03
Einstein Travels Smart!
Blaine from Our Lady of Fatima Primary attended a Millennium Kids TravelSmart Forum and came up with this idea for a bumper sticker:
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE EINSTEIN TO TRAVELSMART! | | 24-Mar-03
Save the Whales!
The killing of whales for commercial sale has become known to humans in a devastating way. In a period of fifty years more than one and a half million whales have been killed and sold for commercial whaling. I f this kind of behavior is not stopped those numbers will continue to rise and eventuall...
The killing of whales for commercial sale has become known to humans in a devastating way. In a period of fifty years more than one and a half million whales have been killed and sold for commercial whaling. I f this kind of behavior is not stopped those numbers will continue to rise and eventually whales will become yet another creauture that is extinct.
Japan and Norway are an inch away to overturning the ban on commercial whaling which is heartbreaking. If Japan and Norway were to succseed in their quest they would ruin the world's whales, as we know them. Especially since them worlds whales are finally beginning to recover after years of exploitation. Furthermore these creatures mature and breed slowly making it harder to recover on top of all the man made environmental threats like pollution and climate change.
A big factor that really makes some people upset is that Japan hunt un the disguise of scientific whaling, which is just a shady lie. Firstly, because Japan sell the meat on the Japanese market for thousands of yen and secondly,because other scientific whaling groups dont need to kill the whales or at least hundreds of them for research.
Since the early 1990's Japan has used the Fisheries Grant as an aid to buy the votes (that support commercial whaling) of poorer countries. If Japan keeps this practise up they will easily buy their way into commercial whaling, with a majority (over 50 percent) voting in favor of whaling, not because of change of opinion, but because of the money.
I believe the worst thing is that Japan and Norway both dont seem to get the point - there will be no whales if commercial whaling isn't stopped. Some Japanese and Norwegian people say that without whales thier businesses will be no more, but sooner or later their businesses will be no more because there will be NO MORE WHALES!
This is my view of commercial whaling and I hope it inspires you to SAVE THE WHALES!
| |  16-Mar-03
Orson Rides into Town
Orson Buggy recently visited the Alcoa World Alumina Australia marquee at the Mandurah Crab Fest. Orson B. talked to Alcoa employee, Melinda, and told her all about his latest performance, 'The Horses Who Saved the World.'
Orson is the Millennium Kids puppet who helps kids understand how they ca... Orson Buggy recently visited the Alcoa World Alumina Australia marquee at the Mandurah Crab Fest. Orson B. talked to Alcoa employee, Melinda, and told her all about his latest performance, 'The Horses Who Saved the World.'
Orson is the Millennium Kids puppet who helps kids understand how they can keep the air clean by reducing the number of times they travel to school by car.
At the marquee Orson met a Motorbike Frog and heard all about the Alcoa Frog Watch program run by the Western Australian Museum.
'I did not know that frogs were affected by air quality,'Orson said. 'So my program is not only good for the air, it is good for humans too! It reminds to get out of their cars and helps them get fit. But gee, I did not know it helped frogs too.
For more information on the TravelSmart to School program call Catrina or Brad on 08 9366 7047 or email Millennium Kids at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| |  20-Jan-03
Tunas Hijau Club Indonesia Does Great Work
Millennium Kids Australia, Program Director, Catrina-Luz Aniere, has spent the last week as guest of Tunas Hijau Club in Surabaya, Indonesia. During of the week of her stay Ms Aniere visited many sites with Tunas Hijau Cub as part of series of environmental experiences for children. Her visited incl... Millennium Kids Australia, Program Director, Catrina-Luz Aniere, has spent the last week as guest of Tunas Hijau Club in Surabaya, Indonesia. During of the week of her stay Ms Aniere visited many sites with Tunas Hijau Cub as part of series of environmental experiences for children. Her visited included tours of local school, wastewater treatment processes, rubbish tips and river. Ms Aniere also took part in a tree-planting program at several school and rivers in Surabaya. But, the highlight of her tour was meeting the children of Surabaya.
“I met so many children in Surabaya. They are so enthusiastic about the environmental future of Surabaya. The children are keen to learn new way of looking after our air, our water and our native habitat. They are also keen to learn how to manage our waste issues better,” Ms Aniere said.
Ms Aniere said that she applauded the work being done by the children of the Tunas Hijau Club.
“It is wonderful to see many young people asking question about the state of the environmental and it is wonderful to see so many adults supporting their desire for a cleaner future,” Ms Aniere said.
Ms Aniere visited many school supported by the Tunas Hijau Club environmental program. She was impressed with the introduction of environmental education in several of the school she visited.
School that undertake the Tunas Hijau Club have undertaken projects to green their school space. In Australia, Millennium Kids also undertake this type of program. The children plan how they can green their school garden. Children draw a plan of action and then take part in tree planting activities within the school ground. From the school, the children can develop a similar project in the wider community. In this way the children can take the message of tree planting into the community as trees can help with providing shade, air quality and also drainage caused by an abundance of water.
Ms Aniere commented on the cleanliness of the school. The Millennium Kids program also addresses waste management through the school curriculum. Children survey the rubbish accumulated at the school. They take part in activities that reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
Millennium Kids also take part in clean up activities outside the school in an effort to help the community understand that the waste belongs to everyone. If no one attempt to clean it up it will sit in the streets creating health and pollution issues.
“The children where very concerned about waste in city of Surabaya, but they had many ideas that could be implemented through the science and society and the environmental curriculum,” she said.
“There are many ideas we can share from our experiences in Australia school. Teachers from Surabaya many be interested in using these ideas in their school.”
After her visited, Ms Aniere will return to Australia to begin planning the next step to the program with Tunas Hijau Club. Ms Aniere plans to return to Surabaya to share her environmental education experience with teachers in Surabaya. She will also bring Australian children with her to learn about Indonesia. It will be the beginning of an environmental exchange program between Tunas Hijau Club and Millennium Kids, Australia.
| | 26-Oct-02
Tunas Hijau Indonesia Visits MK Office
Today the Program Director and the President of Tunas Hijau Indonesia visited the MK Headquarters in Perth, Western Australia to exchange ideas about environmental programs. Stay tuned for more information on the development of partnership programs between children from Indonesia and Australia. | | 10-Aug-02
Kids Plan their Conference
Millennium Kids Youth Board have been planning their 6th Annual Millennium Kids Environmental Conference 2002. The kids have develeoped a new application process where teams of young people can get together and plan a project to solve an environmental prob
| | 29-Jul-02
Millennium Kids Celebrate National Tree Day
On Sunday 28th, Millennium Kids and their families and friends travelled to Brookton, 180km from Perth, Western Australia to take part in their annual tree-planting day.
We left South Perth at 9.00am and travelled by bus to "Rocklea" farm. After a delicious morning tea we headed out into the padd... On Sunday 28th, Millennium Kids and their families and friends travelled to Brookton, 180km from Perth, Western Australia to take part in their annual tree-planting day.
We left South Perth at 9.00am and travelled by bus to "Rocklea" farm. After a delicious morning tea we headed out into the paddocks in a hay cart to do what we were there for - tree planting!
Millennium Kids planted over 3500 trees in salt affected and water logged areas. We planted different varieties of trees according to soil type.
After planting we visited the trees we planted in previous years. They were all growing very well and we were surprised how tall some of them had become. After wandering through the Millennium Kids Gully we headed back to the farmhouse for a huge barbecue lunch.
It was a wonderful day and we all really enjoyed knowing we were taking part in National Tree Day.
| | 17-Jul-02
Introducing Millennium Kids Canada
Millennium Kids in Canada Hi, we're students in Ontario, Canada, starting up Millenium Kids here. Our group is working on improving recycling and spreading the program. So far, we've gotten started on recycling ink cartridges, which is really neat because the company we're working with pays money fo... Millennium Kids in Canada Hi, we're students in Ontario, Canada, starting up Millenium Kids here. Our group is working on improving recycling and spreading the program. So far, we've gotten started on recycling ink cartridges, which is really neat because the company we're working with pays money for them! It's a really good program for schools to fundraise with. So, what we're doing is giving fun, skit-based presentations to elementary classes all over our region, hoping to get them interested. Here's why we want to get the cartridges out of the dump! They take 500 years to decompose. The ink in them is not environmentally friendly. They CAN be recycled, so why not do so? This is just the start of our recycling efforts. We plan to tackle larger scale projects all over Waterloo region! Here's our class website. There are several groups of Millenium Kids working on different issues, so check it out! You'll see some pictures of us working with our groups. (Go to 'guests' and look for Meghan) http://centennialw.wrdsb.on.ca/887
| | 5-Jul-02
Challis Takes Up the Challenge
Millennium Kids visited Challis Primary School in July for a Special Viewing of "The Horse Who Saved the World." Orson Buggy, the main character in the play, developed by Millennium Kids for the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, was keen to help the kids understand the difference between '... Millennium Kids visited Challis Primary School in July for a Special Viewing of "The Horse Who Saved the World." Orson Buggy, the main character in the play, developed by Millennium Kids for the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, was keen to help the kids understand the difference between 'greenhorse gas' and 'greenhouse gas'.
The play is part of the TravelSmart to School program, which gets kids to look at how they travel to and from school. The aim of the program is to reduce car use to and from school in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure talked to the students about how the Department for Planning and Infrastructure was supporting the program. The students were keen to be the first school to take up the challenge.
For more information call MIllennium Kids Headquarters on 08 9336 7047 or email us at info@millenniumkids.com.au 123
| | 11-Apr-02
WA YOUTH AWARDS
The Millennium Kids Youth Board has been selected as one of the six finalists for the Group Citizenship category of the State Youth Awards.The winners of the WA Youth Awards will be announced on 11th April 2002.
Millennium Kids representatives will be at the event to celebrate the work they have ... The Millennium Kids Youth Board has been selected as one of the six finalists for the Group Citizenship category of the State Youth Awards.The winners of the WA Youth Awards will be announced on 11th April 2002.
Millennium Kids representatives will be at the event to celebrate the work they have done over the last 6 years!
| | 26-Mar-02
Recycling Cartridges - Millennium Kids Canada
Millennium Kids in Canada Hi, we're students in Ontario, Canada, starting up Millenium Kids here. Our group is working on improving recycling and spreading the program. So far, we've gotten started on recycling ink cartridges, which is really neat becau
| | 1-Mar-02
Corporate, Council and Kids Clean Up!
In Western Australia this week forty South Perth Primary School students joined the local McDonald's Restaurant Crew and City of South Perth staff to help clean up the river foreshore. "An old wall had fallen down, so we had to 'clean up",one of the stu
| | 22-Feb-02
Great Site To Get You Thinking
Have a look at this great site http://www.luccaco.com/terra/terra.htm
| | 22-Nov-01
Indonesian Art Competition
Our friend Roni, from the Tunas Hijua Club in Indonesia, recently helped to organise an environmental poster competition. Young people from all over Indonesia created posters to portray their feelings about pollution. The winners had their entries made i
| | 1-Nov-01
Millennium Kids Film Festival
Millennium Kids will be holding their Inaugural Millennium Kids Film Festival on 1st November 2001 at the Cygnet Theatre in Como, Western Australia. The Film Festival will highlight environmental documentaries made by Millennium Kids during 2001 for the T
| | 1-Nov-01
Millennium Kids Voice Documentaries Go On Sale
If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Millennium Kids Voice Environmental Documentaries ($A10.00 plus GST) made for TV Alphabeticus contact Catrina at info@millenniumkids.com.au for more information. The documentary includes five project stories
| | 29-Oct-01
Caring for Critters - A Millennium Kids Conference Report
At the Millennium Kids Environmental Conference the kids interviewed June Butcher from a local wildlife rehabiliation centre. The Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Western Australia was established in 1986 by June and Lloyd Butcher, because they
| | 24-Aug-01
Walking the Hero's Journey
Hi my name is Meghan and I have come from Canada to work with and experience Millennium Kids for a few weeks. I am a twenty-one year old biology student working in partnership with MK and The Alphabeticus Project. in search of a greater understanding of what young people are doing to empower one ano... Hi my name is Meghan and I have come from Canada to work with and experience Millennium Kids for a few weeks. I am a twenty-one year old biology student working in partnership with MK and The Alphabeticus Project. in search of a greater understanding of what young people are doing to empower one another with regards to the environment and their surrounding world.
I am interested in what makes young people go out on a limb and do something for others. I call these people heroes. And I am searching for heroes to find out about their journey. To me a hero is someone who has taken a part of themselves and has given it to another. It does not matter whether the act is big or small, it matters only that the act is one of pure goodness.
Since my arrival in Western Australia I have met many heroes. In each case, in some capacity, they have given a piece of themselves to make this world a better place. Among the heroes I have been privileged to meet, was a young student name Michalie – a Millennium Kid since she was thirteen. Michalie’s passion is in the assistance, preservation and rehabilitation of endangered and injured species in Western Australia. She accomplishes her hero work at the Kanayana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Kanyana is found far above the rooftops of the city in the hills of Kalamunda beyond Perth. Nestled in the forest, Kanyana is site of constant excitement. As soon as we walked through the gate we were each handed a pouch, in which a tiny kangaroo was nestled safely in the bottom. We carried these pouches into a room filled with similar little creatures. Possums, wallabies and kangaroos clung desperately to the volunteers who had gathered to feed them their morning breakfast.
Many of the animals we had met at Kanyana were either injured or had been left abandoned. The kangaroos we met that morning had been orphaned after their mothers were either hunted or killed by automobiles. Among the animals at Kanyana, we had the opportunity to meet both the very sick and the very noisy. Just like people, these little animals required constant attention to assist them on their path to Wellness.
Kanyana is set up, not only as a sanctuary, but as an animal hospital as well. When a new furry patient arrives at the door they are assessed and cared for immediately in the hospital. It is important that new animals are watched closely to prevent the contamination of the hospital with new diseases. When there are so many different animals, a lot of care needs to be taken to ensure that the animals do not share germs. Even the food is prepared in different areas of the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination. Michalie has been working at the Kanyana Wildlife Sanctuary, not only for her love of animals, but also as an avenue with which to pursue her dream of veterinary medicine. The exposure and training that Michalie has been having is an invaluable way to gain practical experience while providing an important helping hand. Kanyana is run entirely on the generosity of volunteers like Michalie.
These people have come together because they believe that these native animals are an invaluable part of the ongoing history of Western Australia. Australia has a poor history in relation to native animals. It has the highest animal extinction rate the world. The care and preservation of these native animals is an important part of preventing their further destruction.
If you have a passion or an interest that concerns our environment, take a moment to find out what is holding you back from doing something about it. We are all walking a hero’s journey, we are all capable of lending a hand. Find some time today to ask yourself what you want to do with your life and what you can start right now to get you on your way.
| | 21-Aug-01
KIDS GREEN THE SILVER SCREEN
It's not often that primary school kids have the opportunity to see their camera work on the silver screen albeit the small silver screen. That, however, is exactly what's being offered by a Perth based production house through their new children's television program TV Alphabeticus in partnership w... It's not often that primary school kids have the opportunity to see their camera work on the silver screen albeit the small silver screen. That, however, is exactly what's being offered by a Perth based production house through their new children's television program TV Alphabeticus in partnership with Millennium Kids youth environmental group.
The 30 minute Alphabeticus program will be broadcast on Community Television Channel 31 on a weekly basis from November 2001- January 2002
Children from schools throughout the world are being invited to create video stories of between 1 and 5 minutes duration on projects or issues of environmental concern to them. In this way children can have the opportunity to tell their own story about their school environmental projects and how they are planning to solve environmental issues.
The choice of stories for broadcast will emphasise active child involvement including script writing ,editing, camera work and presentation.
"It's more important for us to hear from children directly than have the story be a polished adult production," said Martin Meader TV Alphabeticus Producer.
The video format can be Betacam or Hi 8 Camcorder. They must be edited for picture and sound with producers and contributors acknowledged. All participants on the tape must have a signed release (permission from guardian)for the broadcast of the tape.
Some stories already received include the construction of inner city frog ponds by South Perth Primary, bush regeneration by Glen Forest Primary and the range of environmental activities at the Millennium Kids Helping Kids annual environmental conference.
Edited tapes should be sent to: TV Alphabeticus
PO Box 760
FREMANTLE 6160
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
For any technical enquiries please contact Martin at martin@alphabeticus.com.au. For further information about content please call Catrina mobile 0418 923 968 or info@millenniumkids.com.au.
| | 28-Jul-01
Help Kids With Cancer
In March my sixteen-year-old cousin was diagnosed with severe cancer which she is still battling hard against- she is the strongest person I know. Due to the chemotherapy she has lost all her hair. In support of her, some of her relatives and friends decided to also shave their heads (from nothing t... In March my sixteen-year-old cousin was diagnosed with severe cancer which she is still battling hard against- she is the strongest person I know. Due to the chemotherapy she has lost all her hair. In support of her, some of her relatives and friends decided to also shave their heads (from nothing to a number 4), however Courtney believed that there was no point in shaving our hair just for her. Instead, she asked that we raised money through sponsorship for a group called CanTeen. CanTeen is a support group for teenagers with cancer and their families, and helps the family with counselling, and also fun activities to help keep everyone involved positive. The group is run by entirely volunteers (only one position is paid), some of whom have been victims of cancer, and relies purely on the charitable work of the public. Through various relatives and people who know Courtney, we have managed to raise over $9000 and the count is still rising. Through my personal efforts I have so far raised in excess of $500, however I am still aiming for a grand total of $700 by the time all donations have been made. Anyone still wishing to contribute to this needy cause can contact me at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 20-Jul-01
KIDS WIN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS
Children from schools and colleges in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have recently won environmental Millennium Kids Green Teams Mazda Foundation Grants. Millennium Kids - a kid's environmental group based in Fremantle, Western Australia decided to set up a national environmental,problem-s... Children from schools and colleges in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have recently won environmental Millennium Kids Green Teams Mazda Foundation Grants. Millennium Kids - a kid's environmental group based in Fremantle, Western Australia decided to set up a national environmental,problem-solving competition for schools.
The competition, based on children identifying potential environmental
projects and the development of strategies to solve these problems, is
very unusual because the whole process was decided by kids for kids.
The first part of the process in identifying potential grant recipients was
to get the message out to schools and community groups in New South Wales,
Queensland and Victoria.
Once the Grant Application had been received the Millennium Kids Youth
Board took the role of assessing the proposals and selecting the projects
as determined by the criteria. The winning entries came from Padua College
in Queensland, Debney Meadows Primary School, Kilsyth Primary School in
Victoria and St Mary's School in New South Wales.
Padua College Environment Club was selected because it identified the
continual dumping of rubbish on Wavebreak Island on the Queensland Coast
for the past two years. The students have decided to conduct regular clean
ups of the Island and work with the local council to have the area made a
Nature Reserve.
St Mary School, a small indigenous school in NSW, also identified rubbish
as a major cause of concern within the school and the wider community.
They plan to identify sources of waste and develop strategies to reduce,
reuse and recycle and educate the wider community about the rubbish issue
with children acting as advocates for the program.
Debney Primary School has a large non-English population of children, many
of whom are refugees from war torn Somalia. Through the curriculum children
will design and create a plan for a mini wilderness area working in
partnership with Greening Australia. Overview:
Finally, Kilsyth Primary School, in an outer suburb of Melbourne, will rehabilitate the bushland block on their school grounds after the school burnt down in 1997. The children will learn about plants and animals native to the area, water resources and water quality monitoring and continue the development of a Millennium `kids concept - the building of a frog pond. For moe information about Millennium Kids Grants contact info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 9-May-01
CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE
Do you want to know more about frogs? Check out this great website created by Newton Moore High School students from Bunbury, Western Australia at http://wetlands.newton.wa.edu.au/ | | 4-May-01
Bush Needs Help
hi my name is Laura I'm a year 8. My project idea is that we should help the environment more because we are using up to much of our bush because people just want to build their own nice glamourise houses just to suit their needs cause they just can't live with the houses that are allready there so ... hi my name is Laura I'm a year 8. My project idea is that we should help the environment more because we are using up to much of our bush because people just want to build their own nice glamourise houses just to suit their needs cause they just can't live with the houses that are allready there so that's my project idea for the Millennium Kids.
| | 4-May-01
Ryan raises money for drinking water in Africa
Ryan was able to see first-hand the impact of his volunteering and activism when he visited northern Uganda with his parents in July 2000. Ryan met pen-pal Jimmy and his classmates at Angolo Primary School and attended the inauguration ceremony for the water well. The impact of Ryan’s wish for every... Ryan was able to see first-hand the impact of his volunteering and activism when he visited northern Uganda with his parents in July 2000. Ryan met pen-pal Jimmy and his classmates at Angolo Primary School and attended the inauguration ceremony for the water well. The impact of Ryan’s wish for everyone in Africa to have clean drinking water has spread beyond the Angolo community and is ensuring clean water access for thousands of rural Ugandans. Ryan, now nine years old, continues to inspire people of all ages as a result of his committed volunteering, fundraising and advocacy. For further information visit: Ryans Well Foundation
| | 4-May-01
Joe joins Millennium Kids
Arriving in a new country, ten thousand miles away from home, can be really scary. Especially when you are going to live there for six months, working with an organization as a volunteer. My fears quickly turned to excitement when I met the staff of Millennium Kids and began working on environmental... Arriving in a new country, ten thousand miles away from home, can be really scary. Especially when you are going to live there for six months, working with an organization as a volunteer. My fears quickly turned to excitement when I met the staff of Millennium Kids and began working on environmental projects. I am a student at the University of California at Santa Cruz who worked with Millennium Kids as part of my field study, researching for a thesis that I just completed...
My experience working with Millennium Kids was a great way for me to learn about environmental issues in Australia as well as experiencing a new youth culture. I helped produce the Kids Helping Kids Environmental Conference in October of 2000, which was so much fun I want to return this year. The KHK Environmental Conference was a three-day event where the Millennium Kids organized speeches, presentations and workshops for a few hundred Australian and international youth. The workshops were a fun way to teach young people about practical things they can do in their community to better our environment.
Throughout the conference I was able to interact with young people from Ghana, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and South Africa. I remember one of the conversations I had during a workshop with the international group. I was doing a presentation about key developmental assets that help young people grow up into healthy adults. I got distracted from my presentation by a discussion with the international delegates; we were telling each other about the different kinds of experiences we had growing up. Each person had amazing stories to tell, and I really learned that young people worldwide face difficulties that I could never understand. It was one of the most educational moments in my life; listening to people from all around the world talk about their lives.
How Millennium Kids is able to expose young people to the range of experiences I had working with them is beyond me. I brought these experiences back home with me, and spent a few months developing a thesis to encompass everything I have learned. The thesis talks about a few different organizations I have worked with, and how they create social bonds in young people that help them resist high-risk activities. Basically, Millennium Kids is an organization that provides young people something meaningful to be involved in and in the process young people develop healthy relationships with adults outside of their family. When young people feel connected to a program such as Millennium Kids, they are less likely to experiment in high-risk behaviors because they could be jeopardizing their involvement. Throughout the six months I worked with Millennium Kids, the staff, community and kids embraced me into their culture, and made my Australian experience the best thing I have ever done. I built relationships with some of the best people I have ever met, and I think about them everyday. Now I am about to graduate from college and I am looking for employment opportunities that could possibly be as meaningful, thoughtful and exciting as my time working with Millennium Kids.
| | 3-May-01
A Documentary within a Documentary
Millennium Kids, an environmental youth organization, are currently working with TV Alphabeticus to develop a series of children’s environmental documentaries for Channel 31 in July. These documentaries give children the opportunity to learn about film making as well as promoting their school based ... Millennium Kids, an environmental youth organization, are currently working with TV Alphabeticus to develop a series of children’s environmental documentaries for Channel 31 in July. These documentaries give children the opportunity to learn about film making as well as promoting their school based environmental projects. This week a team of young people from Millennium Kids visited South Perth Primary School to film part of their documentary on building from friendly gardens. Students from our school did a fantastic job participating in interviews and recreating scenes of their frog pond activities. Millennium Kids were joined by a film crew from ABC – Behind the News, who are to promote the work of Millennium Kids and their project schools via their national children’s broadcast. Congratulations to all students involved. The ABC film crew and Millennium Kids were really excited by the work being done around their school to recreate frog habitats. We will keep you informed about this project and let you know when both documentaries will be aired.
| | 28-Apr-01
UNEP Youth Representative Visits Perth
It was great to have James Moody, an Australian representative at the Biennial Global Youth Retreat in Nairobi, visit us at a special meeting in Perth in April 2001. James brought a long a slide presentation of the activities in Mombasa where the Youth Retreat was held. There were about 25 young peo... It was great to have James Moody, an Australian representative at the Biennial Global Youth Retreat in Nairobi, visit us at a special meeting in Perth in April 2001. James brought a long a slide presentation of the activities in Mombasa where the Youth Retreat was held. There were about 25 young people from around the world at the meeting aged between 18 -25 years. James talked about the projects young people could get involved in. James also presented a special gift to the United Nations Environment Program Director on behalf of Millennium Kids. He also thanked Alcoa World Alumina Australia for assisting Millennium Kids to sponsor his flight to Kenya. "It was a fantastic opportunity to hear what other people are doing to help the environment," James said. James also encouraged Millennium Kids to keep active. He thought it was a great way for young people to do something postive to help the environment.
| | 28-Apr-01
Millennium Kids Conference Planning Camp
On the last week of the holidays 25 other young people and I along with 5 adult helpers, Millennium Kids travelled two hours out of Perth to Fairbridge Farm, for our annual planning camp. We were staying for four days in two cottages. Over the four days we brainstormed, analysed ideas, got to know p... On the last week of the holidays 25 other young people and I along with 5 adult helpers, Millennium Kids travelled two hours out of Perth to Fairbridge Farm, for our annual planning camp. We were staying for four days in two cottages. Over the four days we brainstormed, analysed ideas, got to know people better and just had fun. We managed to get a green print done for the upcoming conference in October. On the last night we were treated to a formal dinner, including speeches and awards. We all enjoyed ourselves and came home with a smile on our faces. Our conference theme this year will be "THE FUTURE IS YOURS!"
| | 2-Mar-01
Kids to begin Clean Up in Mafikeng, South Africa
Yvonne visited some of the schools with representatives from SGIO Insurance, the major sponsor of Clean Up Australia. Yvonne was joined by two players from the local West Coast Eagles Football Team. The group were at the school to help encourage kids to clean up their environment. The Eagles players... Yvonne visited some of the schools with representatives from SGIO Insurance, the major sponsor of Clean Up Australia. Yvonne was joined by two players from the local West Coast Eagles Football Team. The group were at the school to help encourage kids to clean up their environment. The Eagles players, famous for their football skills in Australia, helped the kids clean up and talked to them about why it was so important to have a clean environment.
? The kids were screaming and calling the players names. It was great to see the football players encouraging the children to clean up.? said Yvonne.
Clean Up Australia Day is an annual event run each year in Australia. Over 500,000 people take to the streets, bushland, parks and waterways to clean up their communities. Each year they collect over 17,ooo tonnes of rubbish. Clean Up Day aims to remind the community that we need to deal with our rubbish in better ways.?
Yvonne aims to start this as one of the first kids projects in partnership with
?Clean up Australia is an interesting program that is done by the children and adults of Australia . Volunteers go out and clean up their areas because they think it is very important to live in a clean environment. We don?t have this kind of program in Mafikeng and I think it would be great to introduce this in my country, ? she said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For more information email info @millenniumkids.com.au
| | 2-Mar-01
West Morley Primary School Cleans Up
On Friday March 2nd, West Morley Primary School supported Clean Up Australia Day by cleaning up our school grounds.
We needed to clean up the rubbish around our school so that it didn't blow away and end up in the drains or the bush.
To help celebrate Clean Up Australia Day we were visited by ... On Friday March 2nd, West Morley Primary School supported Clean Up Australia Day by cleaning up our school grounds.
We needed to clean up the rubbish around our school so that it didn't blow away and end up in the drains or the bush.
To help celebrate Clean Up Australia Day we were visited by two players
from the West Coast Eagles, a Road Runner from PMFM Radio Station and
Channel Ten News.
After we collected the rubbish we noticed we had a lot of wrappers from
icecreams, chips and lollies. Unfortunately, we also found some syringes in
our playground.
Apart from Clean Up Day, our school recycles aluminium cans, paper and
cardboard and used batteries. We also make sure we have plenty of bins
around to encourage people to put their rubbish in them.
All of us at West Morley would like to say that littering can damage our
environment seriously by getting into our waterways and rivers. When you
litter - it makes Australia sicker!!
| | 21-Feb-01
Learning About Millennium Kids
I have just spent 18 hours on an aeroplane so I can get to Australia to meet with my friends from Millennium Kids. I am here for 5 weeks to learn about their organisation. Then I will go back to Mmabatho and see if I can start a program there with our South African children. | | 18-Feb-01
Help at Hand for Clean Up Australia
Millennium Kids help the Clean Up Australia campaign by organising the volunteers kits in Western Australia.
On the 18 February 2001, Millennium Kids put together a mammoth one hundred
and sixty-five kits to be used on Clean-Up Australia Day, a tradition
that we now participate in every year. ... Millennium Kids help the Clean Up Australia campaign by organising the volunteers kits in Western Australia.
On the 18 February 2001, Millennium Kids put together a mammoth one hundred
and sixty-five kits to be used on Clean-Up Australia Day, a tradition
that we now participate in every year. These kits were sent to schools,
community groups and individuals, and consisted of gloves, sharps'
containers, site manager T-shirts, the required number of rubbish bags and
many recycling bags. This included over 7000 bags!! These kits also
included many little goodies and incentives, including vouchers, pencils,
stickers, colouring books, a calendar and much more.
| | 4-Feb-01
Skyshow
I was disgusted at the rubbish left behind in our beautiful park after the Skyshow had finished. We were supposed to be celebrating the birth of our Federation, but we seem to have lost the plot on this one. It has become a "Yobbo Fest". | | 30-Jan-01
Frog Friendly Gardens
We can help the frogs by rebuilding frog friendly areas in school grounds.
Last year, students from Glen Forrest Primary School made frog ponds at the school. My friend Caitlyn and I went and researched
the good and bad points of an environment for frogs in a dry, rocky, exposed area. We made s... We can help the frogs by rebuilding frog friendly areas in school grounds.
Last year, students from Glen Forrest Primary School made frog ponds at the school. My friend Caitlyn and I went and researched
the good and bad points of an environment for frogs in a dry, rocky, exposed area. We made safe tunnels and dens using pipes,
bricks, and rocks next to the two bigger ponds. We are now waiting to see what comes to live there.
| | 30-Jan-01
MK NOMINATED FOR MAJOR AWARD
Millennium Kids Inc kids were thrilled to hear they have been nominated for the United Nations Global 500 Youth Award. This recognises the work done by individuals or youth organisations who have done really great environmental work.
Millennium Kids was nominated by Clean Up Australia and the nom... Millennium Kids Inc kids were thrilled to hear they have been nominated for the United Nations Global 500 Youth Award. This recognises the work done by individuals or youth organisations who have done really great environmental work.
Millennium Kids was nominated by Clean Up Australia and the nomination has been supported by Alcoa World Alumina Australia and Cheryl Edwards, Minister for the Environment. The winners of the award will be announced on World Environment Day - 5th June 2001.
| | 28-Jan-01
JAMES ON THE MOVE
Millennium Kids supports an Australian representative to attend the UNEP Youth Retreat in Kenya, Africa.
James (24), from Queensland, is the Australian representative on the Youth Advisory Council (18 - 25 years) for the United Nations Environment Program. He has been sponsored by Millennium Kids... Millennium Kids supports an Australian representative to attend the UNEP Youth Retreat in Kenya, Africa.
James (24), from Queensland, is the Australian representative on the Youth Advisory Council (18 - 25 years) for the United Nations Environment Program. He has been sponsored by Millennium Kids to attend the Retreat in Mombasa,Kenya. When James returns to Australia he will meet with Millennium Kids representatives to report on the work done by other young people around the world to help the environment. We wish James all the best! For a full report on the Youth Retreat visit this site again soon.
| | 28-Jan-01
Co Founder Wins Environment Award
Alicia, a co founder of the Kids Helping Kids Conference, wins a Western Australian Environment Award.
Alicia(17), recently won the Western Australian of the Year Award for the Environment. Alicia was one of four young people who went to the first United Nations Children's Environmental Conferen... Alicia, a co founder of the Kids Helping Kids Conference, wins a Western Australian Environment Award.
Alicia(17), recently won the Western Australian of the Year Award for the Environment. Alicia was one of four young people who went to the first United Nations Children's Environmental Conference held in England in 1995. When Alicia returned to Western Australia she was part of a team who began the first Kids Helping Kids Environmental Conference. Alicia continued her interest in the environment and has represented Western Australian youth on a number of youth panels. Congratulations Alicia.
| | 28-Jan-01
Are we really recycling?
Many Australian Councils collect recyclable materials seperately. But what happens to the waste once we have carefully sorted it? Are things we put in the bins really recycled or do we simply appear to be environmentally friendly? If you want to add to this please email us at info@millenniumkids.... Many Australian Councils collect recyclable materials seperately. But what happens to the waste once we have carefully sorted it? Are things we put in the bins really recycled or do we simply appear to be environmentally friendly? If you want to add to this please email us at info@millenniumkids.com.au
| | 28-Jan-01
Bye Bye Ice Caps, Hello Global Warming
Around 100 years ago the ice caps were alot bigger than they are now. This
is thanks to cars, factories, smoke and humans. The smoke makes clouds.
The heat comes in, bounces off the earth, hits the clouds and bounces back
and hits the ice caps. WE'VE GOT TO ACT NOW IF WE WANT TO SAVE OUR ICE...
Around 100 years ago the ice caps were alot bigger than they are now. This
is thanks to cars, factories, smoke and humans. The smoke makes clouds.
The heat comes in, bounces off the earth, hits the clouds and bounces back
and hits the ice caps. WE'VE GOT TO ACT NOW IF WE WANT TO SAVE OUR ICE
CAPS!
| | 19-Jan-01
Thailand Comes to Millennium Kids
Hi, my name is Yong and I escorted the Thai delegates to the Millennium Kids Helping Kids Conference in October 2000. Visit our website and find out just how much fun we had at www.nationjunior.net/current/yongsspace.shtml | | 17-Jan-01
Millennium Kids on TV
Did you see the Millennium Kids advert on Channel 9 in Western Australia? Write to us at info@millenniumkids.com.au and tell us what you thought. | | 4-Jan-01
Walking a Winner at Manning Primary School
Manning Primary School students recently won a $500.00 prize from the Department of Transport for reducing their car use to and from school over a one week period.
Gary John, from the Department of Transport presented the children with a cheque on the last day of school.
Children walked, rode... Manning Primary School students recently won a $500.00 prize from the Department of Transport for reducing their car use to and from school over a one week period.
Gary John, from the Department of Transport presented the children with a cheque on the last day of school.
Children walked, rode and car pooled to reach their result.
For more information about the TravelSmart to School project contact www.travelsmart.transport.wa.gov.au/schools.html or call 08 9216 8300
| | 12-Dec-00
TravelSmart - The People of Today
The people of today - what are they coming to? We are becoming unfit and unhealthy. Why? Because most of the time we drive a car when we could walk somewhere. This has a great impact on our environment and us. Just playing sport alone is not enough. We need some exercise as well.
Many car tri... The people of today - what are they coming to? We are becoming unfit and unhealthy. Why? Because most of the time we drive a car when we could walk somewhere. This has a great impact on our environment and us. Just playing sport alone is not enough. We need some exercise as well.
Many car trips are made because people can’t be bothered walking. In many foreign countries people still walk rather than drive cars. They are fitter than we think. Many families have two cars when just one would do. Try to make a difference to our environment and yourself.
| | 15-Jun-00
Its Time to Act - Millennium Kids celebrate World Environment Day
At this year's World Environment Day Millennium Kids shared their experiences on the Millennium International Children's Conference on the Environment May 22-24 2000
We'd like to tell you about the Millennium Kids presentation when they attended United Nations Millennium International Children's ... At this year's World Environment Day Millennium Kids shared their experiences on the Millennium International Children's Conference on the Environment May 22-24 2000
We'd like to tell you about the Millennium Kids presentation when they attended United Nations Millennium International Children's Conference on the Environment in the United Kingdom 22-24 May 2000. More than 700 kids from 110 different countries attended.
We've created a CD Rom of our presentation and report - this is a summary.
The conference combined presentations, question and answer session, afternoon workshops and fun activities in the evening. Millennium Kids gave the opening address about our organisation and how we got started. We now have links with kids from 10 other countries - Cyprus, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Morocco, Nepal, South Africa, USA and Vanuatu.
Getting adults to listen and take kids seriously is a common problem for kids everywhere. Millennium Kids started just after the first UN Children's Environment Conference "LEAVE IT TO US" in 1995. We had our first Kids Helping Kids conference the following year in 1996 Since our first conference we've grown from just four kids to more than 1000 members in just 5 years. We even have our own Youth Board. And our motto is "young people encouraging others to be aware and active in the environment"
At our first conference we were very lucky to have our friends from Malaysia come and help make it a big success We have learnt a lot about organising speakers, the importance of sponsorship and how to get adults to help us. Perhaps the most important thing we have learnt about organising a conference is the good fun and friends you can make. We think it is really important to choose sponsors carefully. We choose sponsors who work with us, listen to us, take us seriously and are concerned about the environment.
Our Youth Board decides what we do. An adult advisory council helps us with finance and duty of care. Anyone aged between 10 and 25 that wants to become a Millennium Kids member can join up for just one Australian dollar a year. Getting publicity and making sure our message gets out to kids is very important. Even in the UK we did interviews at the conference.
Millennium Kids runs a Postcard campaign to get the ideas of lots of kids about the environment and what they want to see done to improve it. Last year we received 3000 postcards from all over Australia. It helps us develop our environmental Challenges.
There were many Challenges but we have chosen four main ones to focus on here.
They are:
Caring for trees and soil
Native animal preservation;
Air quality management;
and Water resources.
Caring for trees & soil
The first Challenge on trees and soil was "To run a 12 month program to plant as many trees as possible and to help get the community to understand more about salinity and erosion problems." About 150 kilometres east of Perth is the town of Brookton where one of our members Gary Butcher lives on a farm. For him what happens to Australia's soil and trees is really important. Lots of African countries have real soil problems too. In the past when trees were cleared away the ground water rose, bringing with it salt that made the soil poisonous to crops. Without crops we won't be able to feed ourselves.
Last year a team of Millennium Kids visited Gary's farm in the South West and helped plant thousands of trees, which started off small but have grown taller than me in just one year. Our major sponsor Alcoa World Alumina Australia knows a lot about rehabilitation of forests. They won the UN Environment Program's Global 500 laureate for their work in the forest after mining. We've visited their site and they do a really good job at rehabilitating the forest. During the year 2000 Millennium Kids will continue to do its bit by planting thousands of trees on farms in the south west and wheatbelt country of Western Australia. With some countries it's poor soil, others its drought.
In the south of England we visited the ruins of a castle that once stood on the shore of the English Channel but 1 kilometre of land has progressively been reclaimed for farming over hundreds of years.
Native animal preservation
Frogs are really in trouble not just in Australia but all around the world. In response to the Postcard ideas we decided to "Adopt frogs and the near threatened native animal called the Phascogale. The Phascogale is a small marsupial. We're promoting protection of the Phascogale and raising funds to help research. Frogs are very sensitive to the environment and let us know how healthy or unhealthy it is. Monitoring frog habitat is what the Alcoa frogWAtch program is about. We're working to help create more places for frogs to live.
One of the fun things that we did in England at the international conference was to visit a farm. It was quite different from an Australian farm. They milked the sheep, which seemed pretty funny!!
Air Quality Management
Catching the bus to school every day helps reduce air pollution. Our postcards campaign came up with the challenge "that everyone should help reduce air pollution by travelling to school and work by walking, riding or using public transport more often."
The problem of air pollution first came up at our 1996 Kids Helping Kids conference. After the 1996 conference our challenge about air quality was sent to the State Government Department of Transport They developed a project with us. Travelsmart to school. Students undertake the program at school and then have a special TRAVELSMART TO SCHOOL WEEK. The main aim of the program is to reduce the use of private cars by at least 10%.
At the international conference children from several countries did presentations about air pollution. The children of India did a presentation about the very high levels of fire crackers used for the thousands of celebrations in India and the impact that's having on the environment. And the Malaysian children told us about acid rain in their country.
Water resources
Although Australia is generally very hot and dry, having the Swan river flow through our City of Perth makes it very beautiful. However, last summer we were shocked by a major outbreak of blue green algae We realised that our Challenge about water was really important.
Our challenge is "To do more to help monitor water pollution and to act when rules are contravened." The problem with the blue green algae meant that the Swan River had to be closed for the first time in history. Too much fertiliser was getting into the river from gardens and farms, warm summer weather and then sudden rainstorms. That all helped the algae to breed quickly and clog up the river. We don't know how to tackle this problem but we do know it needs to be done.
The oldest of our water projects is Milyu Reserve. This is very special because it was our first project. The Milyu Green Team project has included annual clean ups, replanting of native bushes, reeds and plants and public signage pointing out the importance of this small section of foreshore. Over the past 5 years hundreds of students, individuals and their families have become involved.
Another wetland project is the Waterford Green Team project, which is just a few kilometres from the centre of the city. Millennium Kids Green Team students from Penrhos College have learnt about water quality monitoring, mosquito breeding habitats and local vegetation and established their own information signage all around the wetland.
We were quite shocked by some of the things we heard in presentations from kids in countries like Kenya. Their presentation was all about drilling bore holes so that they could have safe drinking water. And in our discussions with the girls from Israel they said that polluted water is one of Israel's major environmental problems.
Millennium Kids thinks that one of our most important jobs is telling other kids what we are doing and encouraging other to get involved. That's why we are INVITING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR POSTCARDS 2000 campaign as part of the World Environment Day celebrations.
The theme for World Environment Day is IT IS TIME TO ACT. And we want to know what environmental action you would best like to see in any of the four areas - soil and trees, Preservation of Animals, Clean Air and Water resource management.
You can e-mail us your thoughts.
"We believe we can help make the words of the UN Agenda 21 Declaration come true... "national governments should pay more attention to the opinions and concerns of children regarding the environment" " We agree."
(We would like to acknowledge the support of all our sponsors Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Kareelya Property Group, City of South Perth, Clean Up Australia and Australia 2000. And for their special support for the conference and today's event we want to acknowledge Department of Education, Environment Australia, Department of Environment and last but not least our friends at Perth Zoo.)
| | 13-Jun-00
FROGS GALORE!!!
The Quintilian school (Mount Claremont,W.A),has succsessfully completed a frog pond! complete with the following: Rotting, hollow, logs, Shallow banks, Sedges, Pond weed(Azola)(Hopefully it is), Wire (over the top to prevent anything undisired from invading), And rocks. Hopefully we'll be geting som... The Quintilian school (Mount Claremont,W.A),has succsessfully completed a frog pond! complete with the following: Rotting, hollow, logs, Shallow banks, Sedges, Pond weed(Azola)(Hopefully it is), Wire (over the top to prevent anything undisired from invading), And rocks. Hopefully we'll be geting some taddies and frogs really, really soon CATCH YA LATER, BYE!
| | 10-Jun-00
Australia hosts World Environment Day
Australia was the International Host for World Environment Day on 5 June 2000. In Perth, World Environment Day was celebrated at the Perth Zoo. Five Millennium Kids (Thomas Skevington, Tom Sippe, Luke McBeath, Lili Murg and Gary Butcher), just back from the United Nations Millennium International Ch... Australia was the International Host for World Environment Day on 5 June 2000. In Perth, World Environment Day was celebrated at the Perth Zoo. Five Millennium Kids (Thomas Skevington, Tom Sippe, Luke McBeath, Lili Murg and Gary Butcher), just back from the United Nations Millennium International Children's Conference on the Environment in England, gave a recount of the conference and showed a video of some of the many highlights. The audience included members of Parliament and supporters of Millennium Kids. After their short presentation the party of presenters and audience joined Hon Cheryl Edwardes, Minister for the Environment, in opening the Rainforest exhibit at the zoo.
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