| I began to establish Nerringillah
Ecology Centre way back in 1989. Since its frugal beginnings I have expanded
and developed the Centre to what it is today. |
| I first saw a school group
in 1990, when there wasn't even a toilet block! Now I see at least 35 school
groups a year as well as families, conservation groups, girl guides, church
groups and other community groups. Most stay for 3 days, 2 nights, but
some for as long as a week. |
| For schools, I run the entire
program. I take the students to the different environments their teachers
want them to study, show them how to gather the data neccessary in each
area and help them as they do so. I prepare the meals, often organising
groups of students to help chop and shred fresh vegies and salad materials.
I adhere to my policy that the food must be fresh and well presented and
that it must be simple but plentiful. Students cannot work well unless
they are fed well. |
Breakfasts are cereals, toast,
bacon or sausages and eggs.
Lunches are always sandwiches
which the students can make with freshly prepared salad ingredients, cold
meats, cheese or vegemite, peanut butter, jam, honey etc.
Dinners are B.B.Q.s of steak,
sausages, onions, boiled poatoes, bread rolls and coleslaw or honey chicken
on a bed of rice with a fresh green salad or spaghetti with a meat sauce
or vegie sauce. |
| I will cater for special diets
for religious reasons, vegetarians, gluten intolerance, etc. You
only have to ask but please, do so when you are booking, not when you arrive. |
| I also run night walks, spotlighting
for some of our noturnal animals or looking at and discussing the stars. |
| I check, clean and freshen
the toilet block each evening, ensuring constant hot water and keeping
the new tiles and paint swept and wiped. |
| Prior to Nerringillah, I studied
at the University of Sydney to obtain a BSc, majoring in Botany and Entomology.
I then completed a Dip.Ed. and taught for 6 years with the N.S.W. Department
of Education. |
| While running Nerringillah,
I have met many local experts on various aspects of ecology. I have self
taught myself for the local area and have recently attended a detailed
wildlife school run by State Forests of NSW. |
| Basically, what all this means
is, you as a staff member, can come down and relax. I understand the huge
effort you've put into organising the excursion, so all I ask is that you
help with any disciplining of students as required and get as involved
as much as you like with the students' work. |
