Reward given for green efforts

By Tania Martin
A KALLISTA teenager was recently chosen as one of 20 people as a Commonwealth Bank and Conservation Volunteers Australia green ambassador.
Alex Maisey, 16, was chosen for the Green Ambassador program because of his work with the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group and Friends of Sherbrooke Forest.
In its first year, Commonwealth Bank Green Ambassadors is a joint venture between the bank and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA).
The program identifies young people who actively assist or protect their local environment.
The program gives the ambassadors a digital camera and the opportunity to take part in a number of activities through CVA which can award a certificate in active volunteering.
The certificate is a formal qualification that recognises the competencies achieved through volunteering.
The ambassadors must complete three core units which involve organising work and following work place procedures.
The certificate also requires the participants the complete two electives which include planting trees and shrubs, first aid, work place communications and work efficiency.
Alex is currently studying year 10 by correspondence, and spends a lot of his time in the Sherbrooke Forest.
He said on most days of the week along with other members of the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey team, he walks the tracks in the forest to find lyrebirds and their nests.
When a nest is located the group places a band on the chicks and monitors their movements throughout their lives.
Alex said one of the ladies he walks with regularly showed him the Green Ambassador program and encourage him to enter.
He said he sees the major issues facing the environment in his local community are predator control, weed control and public awareness.
Alex is hoping to either study science or environmental science when he finishes high school.
He said his main interest is ecology and that he also has a passion for photography.
“Living in the hills with an easy access to the forest I have always thought that the birdlife was pretty unique,” he said.
Alex also said he has always wanted to do volunteer work with wildlife.