ALPACAS AT MORNINGTON PENINSULA SCHOOLS’ ENVIRONMENT WEEK

The grounds of Mornington Peninsula’s beautiful historic homestead, The Briars, in Mt Martha, is the setting for the Mornington Peninsula Schools’ Environment Week.

Each year, the Bull Paddock (minus the bulls) gives way to a magnificent line-up of marquees housing activities and displays all depicting various aspects of our environment and the care of it, from the wildlife, to recycling, water saving, solar energy through to the many farming activities which, we are pleased to say, includes alpacas.

On our first day, all assembled at lunch time for the official opening performed by Rob Gel, Chairman of Biosphere Australia; dignitaries from the Mornington Peninsula Shire and representatives from the local indigenous Bunurong tribe complete with ceremonial smoking, song and dance.

Each day, in the vicinity of 750 primary school children in small groups of 8 to 10 circulate through the activities accompanied by teachers and parents,

A pen was set up to house our alpacas and close by, a small marquee displaying fleece, information and product. The children and their supervisors were able to feel our alpacas, feel their soft padded feet, see the natural colours. They could plunge their hands into the fleeces....both suri and huacaya and could feel the product.

Some had a go at spinning. Some watched.

Each group was able to take back to school, a package of information, a sample of fleece, and directions to the Primary Schools’ Resource Package on the AAA website.

A great opportunity for our Alpaca Breeder group (MPAB) to support our local Community initiatives.