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Media Release
28 October 2009
More than 150 children from local primary schools attended the Frogtastic Festival to celebrate National Water Week.
The event was held by the City of Whittlesea in conjunction with Waterwatch and the Darebin Creek Management Committee and took place at the Thomastown East Reserve located next to the Darebin Creek near Creek View, Thomastown.
Children learned about the many types of frogs living in the habitat ponds at the reserve and even heard the call of the endangered Growling Grass Frog.
They also took part in fun activities to investigate problems facing the nearby Darebin Creek.
They learned that common materials from around their homes and streets such as litter, dog droppings, fertiliser, oil dripping from cars and even uncovered soil can travel via stormwater drains into the ponds and creek, impacting the wildlife.
Other activities focused on the many types of ‘mini-beasts’ - water bugs which live in local watery places, and on the different types of habitats that creatures such as platypus, birds and frogs need to survive.
The Thomastown East Reserve has been known to support the Growling Grass Frog for many years and has been managed by the City of Whittlesea to give the threatened frog a chance of survival in the urban environment.
The City of Whittlesea recently constructed additional ponds and habitat areas at the reserve to ensure the Growling Grass Frog survives at the site well into the future.
Funding for the project, including the Frogtastic Festival, was made available through EPA Victoria’s Community Funding program.
Funding for this program is sourced through a scheme where the ‘polluter pays’. When a company or individual is found guilty of environmental pollution, they may be directed by a Magistrate to fund a community environment project.
Note: A photo of children participating in the Frogtastic Festival is available on request.
Media enquiries:
Communications Officer
Alistair Walton
(03) 9217 2199
