Until recently, BOCA’s public education program within MELBOCA’s area has been the responsibility of BOCA’s Education Coordinator, Annette Cook – whereas some branches have implemented their own education programs with Annette providing any necessary back-up.

BOCA’s view is that the best use of the Education Coordinator’s time and expertise is for Annette to oversee the work of all branches, develop resources and where necessary, provide training to enable branch members to effectively carry out vital education work in their areas.  In line with this view, MELBOCA now has Janet Hand as the MELBOCA Education Coordinator.

Janet, with the help of volunteers, is implementing a program aimed at increasing the public’s knowledge of Australian native birds, their habitat and needs, and important conservation issues.

Recent MELBOCA Education Activities

• Library Displays

BOCA displays were set up at Box Hill Library, The Pines Library, East Doncaster & Wheelers Hill Library, from 1 to 30 November 2009.

• Australian Birdfair, Leeton, NSW

BOCA had displays at this important annual event at Leeton, NSW, 13 to 15 November 2009. Friday, 13 November 2009 had the theme 'Parrots on Parade' for the numerous children from neighbouring schools that attended the Birdfair.

• Talk & Walk at Lyndale Primary School, Dandenong

Annette Cook gave a presentation introducing birds to the pupils at Lyndale Primary School on 18 November 2009. This was followed by a walk with the pupils around the Dandenong Creek Wetlands identifying the birds on Tuesday 24 November 2009.

• Maryvale Aged Care Facility visit to National Office

A craft activity session and talk about small birds in the garden was conducted at National Office, for residents of Maryvale Aged Care Facility 9:30 to 11.30 am, on Tuesday 24 November 2009.

• Activities at Backburn Lake
  
  On 17 April 2010 Babara Longmuir ran a very Breakfast with the Birds, with about 24 people attending.
  
  On 23 May 2010 Janet Hand and Diane Tweeddale ran a Stickybeaks' Day at the Information Centre attended by 25 children and adults.

Many of the education activities are a valuable fund raiser for and/or an opportunity to promote BOCA and MELBOCA. These activities will only happen happen with the assistance of volunteers.  Please help Janet so that similar projects can be an ongoing part of MELBOCA’s program.  Volunteers are not left on their own and are supported by experienced volunteers when assisting BOCA or MELBOCA on education activities.

Interested volunteers please contact Janet Hand (Tel: 9842 4177 or info@melboca.org.au) or Annette Cook at BOCA National Office (Tel: 9877 5342 or a.cook@boca.org.au).

Volunteers Required

• MELBOCA is seeking volunteers to assist with Education Activities. Do any of these roles sound like you?

- Bird Guides to assist children and adults identify local birds.
- Presenters to give talks and PowerPoint presentations to adults and children.
- Display Assistants to set up displays in libraries and other venues.
- PowerPoint Presenatation Designers to put together PowerPoint presentations or teaching aids for others to present. There is no public speaking required in this role!
- Stickybeak Assistants to help with presentations and activities designed for BOCA's Stickybeaks (5 to 14 years old).
Hopefully Janet Hand, MELBOCA's Education Co-ordinator will receive sufficient responses that she will be able to prepare a database of volunteers and the workload can be spread. Janet has detailed descriptions of the tasks required for each role. To volunteer, or find out more, contact Janet Hand at Tel: 9842 4177 or info@melboca.org.au

• Volunteers are also required for the following scheduled Education Activities:

- Stickybeaks' Day at Blackburn Lake 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday 29 August 2010
- Australian Plants Society (Yarra Yarra Group) at Eltham Community Centre, 10 to 12 September 2010. Help needed to assist with MELBOCA's presentation table. Help needed for 2 hour or longer sessions during this period.
- Australian Bird Fair, Leeton, NSW 16 to 19 September 2010. BOCA runs a schools' Education Activies Day on the Friday and an Information Tent on Saturday and Sunday. Help needed from anybody in the area during this period for 2 hour or longer sessions.
- Breakfast with the Birds at Banyule 7:30 am on Sunday 24 October 2010. This activity was started in 1999 by the late John Kirton and BOCa or MELBOCA has worked with the Banyule City Council each year since. Bird Walk Leaders and Telescope Educators required, prior to joining the group for breakfasr provided by Banyule City Council.
To volunteer, or find out more, about any of the above events contact Janet Hand at Tel: 9842 4177 or info@melboca.org.au

Crescent Honeyeater
Photograph by Sonja Ross