The Taronga Zoomobile has paid a special visit to Bedgerabong school thanks to the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre's annual education program.
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The Animals of the Dreaming program outlines the importance of educating students and communities about native animals and the need for wildlife corridors and habitats to increase the survival of these animals for future generations.
Students learned interesting facts about the diversity of native fauna and were able to get up close and pat the Zoomobile's animals including Diamond Python, Ring-tailed Possum, Bogeye, White Lipped Tree Frog and an echidna.
The Taronga Zoomobile was accompanied by Sally Russell from the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre.
The workshop was delivered by the highly respected Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Col Hardy and experienced Taronga Zoo Education Officer, Kerry Staker.
Uncle Col is a well-known country singer. In 2007 he was awarded The Medal of the Order of Australia "for service to the country music industry as a singer and recording artist, and to the community through the delivery of outreach zoological education programs in regional areas".
Uncle Col uses music to sing and talk about Dreaming Stories, immersing his audience in Aboriginal storytelling, while creating an awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and its links to the land and animals.
The program has a strong Aboriginal cultural focus incorporating Dreamtime stories and songs about native animals and a display of Aboriginal artefacts from all over Australia.