TV eco-warrior characters help Council spread sustainability message

Redland City Council is offering free sustainability resources for childcare centres and primary schools through a partnership with the makers of ABCKids series dirtgirlworld and Get Grubby TV.

Mayor Karen Williams said the resources complemented Council’s green living principles by supporting communities to become more sustainable.

“Council works with residents, community groups, business and environmental agencies on a wide variety of initiatives to protect and restore our naturally wonderful environment,” she said.

“This includes offering a variety of environmental education programs to local schools and community groups.

“We are currently reviewing our programs so they have an increased focus on providing more curriculum-based resources.

“The Get Grubby Program is the first in a series of educational programs that will be targeted to children in childcare centres through to primary schools.”

The program includes eco-warriors dirtgirl, scrapboy and Costa the Garden Gnome from ABCKids staring in 50 specially-created videos.

There are 10 units in the program and a range of activities to choose from on each topic including games, crafts, quizzes, music and drama.

“Get Grubby will give teachers and children confidence to get outside to explore and celebrate nature and become great recyclers, composters, gardeners, worm farmers and water savers,” Cr Williams said.

“This program is exciting because it is targeted at our younger residents who can then be influencers in their own homes.

“It’s all about showing our residents the easy steps they can take to help them live more sustainably.”

dirtgirlworld and Get Grubby creator Cate McQuillen said the program was all about positive learning.

“Kids need to experience the natural world for themselves,” Ms McQuillen said.

“We want every child in Australia to be excited about the world around them and take those messages home to their families.

“They need to know there are little things they can do every day to make a difference. It helps them take control over their own futures.”

All childcare, day care, family day care centres and primary schools in the Redland City Council area are eligible for free access to the program.

Council’s IndigiScapes Centre will also use the Get Grubby resources to deliver sustainability events and workshops.

For more information on Get Grubby and other Council environmental education programs, visit redland.qld.gov.au