# Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre

The Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre is a public park, botanic gardens and learning centre located in Burrumbuttock, NSW Australia in the Riverina region. Established in 1995 on an old stock reserve, it is maintained by volunteers.
In 2005, the Discovery Centre was built in Wirraminna for use by schools and community groups. The Discovery Centre has aquaria displaying native fish from the Murray-Darling Basin and Southern Corroboree frogs.
Over 2000 primary school children visit Wirraminna annually, from schools throughout the region.

## History

Wirraminna was originally known as public watering place 443 (20 February 1904) and declared a town water supply on 27 August 1937 controlled by Hume Shire Council. Through the cooperation of local residents and the principal of Burrumbuttock School, Wirraminna was established in 1995. In 2005 Wirraminna received financial support from the Australian Government’s Regional Partnerships program, which with matching local support enabled the construction of a rammed earth building named the Discovery Centre. Over 2000 primary school children visit Wirraminna annually, from schools throughout the region. It also provides a popular outing for clubs and organisations in the district, and many locals and visitors to the region call in to explore the gardens and learn about our local environment. Extensive interpretative signage around the park tells the environment story.

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Notes |
| 1999 | NSW State Landcare Awards | Education | Awarded in conjunction with Burrumbuttock Public School |
| 2015 | NSW State Landcare Awards | NSW Junior Landcare Team Award | Create Catchment Kids program |
| 2016 | National Landcare Awards | Junior Landcare Team Award | Creative Catchment Kids program |

## Creative Catchment Kids books

The Creative Catchment Kids program produces student written and illustrated books on different environmental themes.
| Year | Theme | Link to Published Books |
| 2011 | An Aussie bush tale | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/aussie-bush/ |
| 2012 | Biodiversity of the Murray catchment | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/biodiversity-murray/ |
| 2013 | Catchment champions | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/catchment-champions/ |
| 2014 | Local land heroes | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/local-land-heroes/ |
| 2015 | Local land heroes | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/local-land-heroes/ |
| 2016 | Our culture, our community | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/our-culture/ https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/our-community/ |
| 2017 | Our culture, our community Murray wetlands | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/our-culture/ https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/our-community/ https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/murray-wetlands/ |
| 2018 | Landcare | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/landcare/ |
| 2019 | Landcare | https://www.envirostories.com.au/category/programs/landcare/ |

## Videos and Educational Materials

| Series | Links to Videos | Educational Materials |
| Dr Dave in Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/dr-dave-in-box-gum-grassy-woodlands/ | 8 videos and fact sheets |
| Dr Dave in the Murray Catchment | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/dr-dave-in-the-murray-catchment/ | 4 videos and fact sheets |
| Dr Dave in the Outback | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/dr-dave-in-the-outback/ | 13 videos and fact sheets |
| Corroboree Frogs | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/corroboree-frogs/ | Education kit |
| Water in the Murray Region | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/water-in-the-murray-region/ | 4 videos |
| Cultural Heritage of Lake Victoria | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/cultural-heritage-of-lake-victoria/ | 7 videos |
| Indigenous Culture in the Upper Murray | https://www.wirraminna.org.au/portfolio/indigenous-culture-upper-murray/ | 12 videos |