Help Lilydale High Schools Reptile Room
Donation protected
On July 2 2014 the reptile room at Lilydale High School was destroyed by fire.
We are seeking your help to rebuild it.
For fourteen years, the Lilydale High School Reptile Room provided a program of alternative learning opportunities for hundreds of students of all ages. It has been a signature program of the school for all those years making a real difference in the lives of the students involved.
The reptile program has enabled students to learn many valuable skills in animal care, team work, leadership, responsibility and initiative. It has also developed a much deeper engagement with school for those participating.
Each year more than 100 new students sign up for the zoo keepers program and close bonds are formed between the students and their animals, as well as within the student team.
From its beginnings as a regular portable classroom housing a single snake and lizard, the room was gradually transformed into a veritable zoo. Housing more than 100 animals, it was a significant and successful community project – the biggest of its kind anywhere in Australia.
The reptile room was made possible by the voluntary labour and contributions of staff, students and families. Students eagerly attended during lunchtime, after school and in the school vacations to ensure that their animals were all fed, their enclosures cleaned and tended, and that the room itself was the best it could be.
The fire claimed the lives of more than 20 animals. While many more animals were saved, the room was damaged beyond repair and nine years of infrastructure development, enclosure building and specialist heating and lighting were lost.
Many of the student volunteers involved in the reptile room have been very upset by the loss of the animals and the facility, but have banded together to take care of the animals in their temporary accommodation while efforts are made to raise funds to rebuild the reptile room.
Any funds raised will pay for purpose built enclosures for the animals and the replacement of essential resources lost in the fire. Without the necessary funds the program will struggle to provide for the needs of both the animals and the students who take care of them. While the school and the education department will be able to replace the room and provide some funding, much more will be needed to restore the reptile house to its former state.
If everyone can give something it will amount to a lot. We thank you for your help.
We are seeking your help to rebuild it.
For fourteen years, the Lilydale High School Reptile Room provided a program of alternative learning opportunities for hundreds of students of all ages. It has been a signature program of the school for all those years making a real difference in the lives of the students involved.
The reptile program has enabled students to learn many valuable skills in animal care, team work, leadership, responsibility and initiative. It has also developed a much deeper engagement with school for those participating.
Each year more than 100 new students sign up for the zoo keepers program and close bonds are formed between the students and their animals, as well as within the student team.
From its beginnings as a regular portable classroom housing a single snake and lizard, the room was gradually transformed into a veritable zoo. Housing more than 100 animals, it was a significant and successful community project – the biggest of its kind anywhere in Australia.
The reptile room was made possible by the voluntary labour and contributions of staff, students and families. Students eagerly attended during lunchtime, after school and in the school vacations to ensure that their animals were all fed, their enclosures cleaned and tended, and that the room itself was the best it could be.
The fire claimed the lives of more than 20 animals. While many more animals were saved, the room was damaged beyond repair and nine years of infrastructure development, enclosure building and specialist heating and lighting were lost.
Many of the student volunteers involved in the reptile room have been very upset by the loss of the animals and the facility, but have banded together to take care of the animals in their temporary accommodation while efforts are made to raise funds to rebuild the reptile room.
Any funds raised will pay for purpose built enclosures for the animals and the replacement of essential resources lost in the fire. Without the necessary funds the program will struggle to provide for the needs of both the animals and the students who take care of them. While the school and the education department will be able to replace the room and provide some funding, much more will be needed to restore the reptile house to its former state.
If everyone can give something it will amount to a lot. We thank you for your help.
Organizer
Marcus Whitby
Organizer
Lilydale VIC
