Year 10 Investigator College Student Django Westmoreland has taken a step towards his dream of one day working as an ecologist, hosting a panel of five experts for a discussion on the future of water at Victa Cinema on Saturday, 29 June.
The discussion was part of the Coral Street Art Space’s Future of Water Exhibition and Django said it was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation and build new skills as panel host.
“I love the natural environment and will continue working hard to protect it, and inspiring other people to do whatever they can,” Django said.
“My love of the natural world motivates me to volunteer and gives me amazing opportunities to network with people that teach and inspire me.”
A passionate birdwatcher, Django has also been on the school sailing team since Junior School and is a member of the Youth Environment Council of South Australia. He has planted over 1000 indigenous, site-specific plants and installed multiple nest boxes as part of a project on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
“I am very lucky to have amazing support from my school, family and mentors,” he said.
Principal of Investigator College, John Robinson said he is proud to see students adopting the College’s value of sustainability with such enthusiasm.
“We are incredibly proud and supportive of the great work Django is doing for the environment, both inside and outside of school,” Mr Robinson said.
“At the College, it is our mission to help students discover what they are passionate about and to provide them with opportunities to thrive in this direction.
“When it comes to the environment and animals in particular, our Currency Creek EcoCentre has been designed to provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities to the future ecologists, scientists and agriculturists of the Fleurieu Peninsula.”
The College facilitates certificate-level qualifications in Horticulture, Conservation and Ecosystem Management for Senior Years students at the Campus – a path that Django is considering.
The members of the panel event were Ngarrindjeri Artist, Cedric Varcoe; Coorong Lower Lakes Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre, Communication and Engagement Coordinator, Dr Tiffany Nay; Manager of Environment and Sustainability Services for Campbelltown, Maria Zotti; Marine Biologist/Ecologist, Scientific Officer for the Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Jamie Hicks; and Associate Professor in Geography at the University of Adelaide, Dr Douglas Bardsley.
