How a Group of 6 Year Olds Changed My Life

In 2014, I was working as a teacher’s aide in a Grade 1 class at a local primary school. One day after lunch, a few students told me they had started their own nature club. They were so excited, sharing everything they had been doing. I asked if they would like to make it a weekly thing and invite others in their year level to join. They loved the idea, and Nature Club was born. Every week, we explored a new nature topic, and I was amazed by how much they understood and how enthusiastic they were.

The following year, one of the children brought in an article about tourists injuring little penguins on the St Kilda foreshore by poking selfie sticks into their burrows. The students were outraged! This sparked a deep dive into the world of the little penguins. Nature Club decided to raise money to help fund microchipping to keep them safe, and they even created a video to educate their school community. Their determination was incredible.

Over the following years, Nature Club explored all kinds of issues from palm oil and plastic pollution to bees, racism, gender equality, climate change and sustainable fashion. They have planted trees on National Tree Day, visited a recycling centre, written letters to the local council, created campaigns to protect wildlife, and learnt from groups like Roots and Shoots and Earthcare St Kilda. One of the highlights was meeting and presenting to the legendary Dr Jane Goodall!

Photo taken by Phil Hines during Jane Goodall’s Australian tour with Roots & Shoots Australia

It has been such a privilege to watch these students become passionate change makers. They have shown me, first-hand, just how much young people are capable of when they are given opportunities to connect with nature, their community, and the wider world.

Those same students are now in Year 12 and about to finish school. I am still in touch with many of them, and they continue to blow me away with their bravery, compassion and care. I can’t wait to see what they do beyond school and the impact they’ll no doubt continue to make.

Now I'm taking everything I've learned from Nature Club and sharing it online. Sign up for my newsletter below to be the first to hear about exclusive news and offers.