A SUCCESSFUL youth marine conservation program is being rolled out in schools across the Whitsundays.
The program is run by New Beginnings International and is designed to take up a minimum amount of time in order not to interfere with the school’s normal curriculum.
The initiative – which aims to engender a desire to participate in volunteering, further study or a career in marine conservation – kicked off in the region earlier this month, with Proserpine State School.
“We successfully ran our Level 1 Youth Marine Conservation Lecture for 80 Year 6 students at Proserpine State School, on Monday, June 2, and our Level 2 (higher level) Lecture for a group of selected students, on Monday, June 9,” New Beginnings International president Bernd Braeuer said.
“We conducted our Level 2 Marine Conservation Program Lecture for 25 Year 6 students, who were selected as most likely to continue on to marine conservation studies or activities from our 85 Level 1 participants.
“We will now look at a possible Level 3 Practical Activities, that we can conduct as part of our Whitsunday Program.
“This may include beach cleanups (Tangaroa Blue style) and a possible marine camp for selected students.”
New Beginnings International has previously run programs in the region as part of its Queensland-wide Primary Schools ‘Way of Community’ Program, as well as its recent Whitsunday Reef Restoration Project, in November 2024.
“Only limited places will be available in this year’s Youth Marine Conservation Program,” Mr Braeuer said.
“The program, once again, involves marine science interns from James Cook University.”
Mr Braeuer’s charitable organisation New Beginnings International launched its 2025 Youth Marine Conservation Program for Year 6 students at Whitsunday Primary Schools earlier this year.
The program has been successfully run, every year, for the past four years on the Gold Coast, providing participating students with a practical basis in Climate Change and Marine Conservation, as well as practical experience as part of the organisation’s three-level program.
The aim of the program is to engender a desire in participating students to participate in volunteering, further study or a career in the marine conservation field, post-program.
Regarding the organisation’s Gold Coast program, Arundel State School’s Deputy Principal Victoria Jackson said: “Thank you for providing such an inspiring opportunity for our students. Looking forward to our next stage in your program.”
For more information visit the website: https://www.newbeginnings.net.au/marine-conservation
Or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsMarineProjects
PHOTO:
James Cook University marine science intern Ashlea Wheeler delivered the presentations under Bernd Braeuer’s supervision.
