15 students from Ivanhoe Grammar School, an independent, co-educational Anglican school with three campuses located in Melbourne’s north ditched their own holiday to help spread the message of conservation in the Mamanuca group of Islands.
Accompanied by three teachers, the group visited Yanuya Island and spent three days working on various environmental activities while at the same time experiencing traditional village life in Fiji.
Under the supervision of the Mamanuca Environment Society staff, the group end the excursion trip with a beach clean-up at the famous Monuriki Island.
Uninhabited and natively owned by the people of Yanuya, the island is of volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reef, healthy lagoons, and white sandy beaches.
MES staff Filomena Serenia said the trip was an eye opening experience for the students.
“They made a huge impact with their presence on the island bringing smiles to the locals. MES also had the opportunity to mentor the students in the various environmental activities being performed at the site. We also taught them what the roles and responsibilities were of the organisation to the local people, villages, resorts, and Fiji as a whole.
“Yanuya Island is a far cry from where they come from. I gave them a short environmental presentation to the students on the island and demonstrated coral planting techniques while stressing the importance of the island as a home to the endangered crested iguana as well as a nesting ground for turtles.”
The clean-up started from the windward side of the island and continued to the leeward side.
“We collected two garbage bags full of trash which was brought to mainland for disposal. A Crown of thorns starfish (COTS) removal was also organised where all participated by snorkelling around the reef on the island. However, none were found, thus it was assumed there were no COTS on the island coral reef system,” she said.
Ivan Hoe Grammar School visit Yanuya Island
