In celebration of National Forestry Day, 600 students gathered at Wulanda Recreation Centre in Mount Gambier yesterday for a concert featuring George the Farmer. The event was a unique blend of music, storytelling, and education, designed to highlight the importance of forestry and its role in carbon storage and sustainability. Source: Timberbiz, photo Harvey MacDonald
The concert coincided with Book Week, and without forestry, we wouldn’t have the paper to read the books. Students enjoyed a live reading of the picture book “George the Farmer and the Great Forest Hunt,” which aligned perfectly with the Book Week and further reinforced the significance of forests in our everyday lives.
The students were also captivated by George the Farmer’s performances, including his popular song “Wood is Good,” which emphasizes the benefits of using wood as a renewable resource.
The event celebrated the theme of carbon storage in timber products, a critical aspect of forestry that contributes to combating climate change. The students learned how timber products act as carbon sinks, storing carbon dioxide that trees absorb from the atmosphere. This educational focus highlighted the crucial role of forestry in environmental stewardship and the fight against global warming.
The day was made possible through the generous support Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Members, with additional in-kind support from OneFortyOne, Gildera Nursery, Timberlink, Timberlands, and ABP. These organizations are dedicated to promoting sustainable forestry practices and educating the next generation about the importance of our forests. Their involvement ensured the event was both informative and entertaining, leaving a lasting impact on the students.
A special moment during the event was the appearance of Neil Turner, a seasoned forester who shared his experiences and insights with the young audience.
Mr Turner spoke passionately about what it takes to be a forester, emphasising the importance of forestry for the use in things like houses, furniture, clothing, paper, amongst many others. He also discussed the significance of carbon storage in timber products, reinforcing the day’s theme and inspiring students to think about forestry as a future career.
Mr Turner then joined George the Farmer on stage for a rousing performance of “Wood is Good,” delighting the audience.
This event, held at the Wulanda Recreation Centre, was a success thanks to industry involvement from OneFortyOne, Gildera Nursery, Timberlink, Timberlands, and ABP, alongside the organizational efforts of Josh Praolini, their support highlights the importance of fostering a deeper understanding of forestry industry, a key economic contributor to our region, and the Australian community.
As National Forestry Day and Book Week coincided, the students left the Wulanda Recreation Centre not only with fond memories but also with a greater awareness of the vital role that forests and timber products play in our world.
The George the Farmer concert was a fitting celebration of these themes, combining entertainment with education in a way that will resonate with the students for years to come.
