Young authors love our dolphins!

Lakes Entrance Primary School students have showcased their writing and illustrating talents in the latest addition to the “Love Our Lakes” Enviro-Stories library.

Laura Barton and the Year 3/4C class from Lakes Entrance Primary School have written and illustrated a remarkable book about “Jimmy Four-Nicks the Burrunan Dolphin” and his quest to find out why he is different from other dolphins.

The students started their Enviro-Stories journey with a workshop delivered by Dr Kate Charlton-Robb and her team from the Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation.

They learned why the Burrunan Dolphin is special to the Gippsland Lakes, how it is different to other bottlenose dolphins and why it is important for us to care for the Lakes to protect the dolphins and other creatures.

Year 3/4 teacher, Laura Barton, said her students loved every aspect of the program, having fun every step of the way.

“They loved learning about the Burrunan Dolphins from Dr Kate, they loved writing their story about Jimmy Four-Nicks and they loved illustrating their story”, Ms Barton said.

Dolphin researcher, Dr Kate Charlton-Robb was overjoyed with the book. “Absolutely amazing!“ she said. “We are so impressed with what the children have come up with”.

Dr Charlton-Robb obviously made a big impression with the students, as she is featured in the story!

The “Love Our Lakes” Enviro-Stories Program is an initiative to help our Primary School students learn about and develop a respect for the Gippsland Lakes and its catchments.

The program will see a series of 11 books produced by local schools about a range of different aspects of the Lakes.

The program is funded through the State Government’s Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund, as part of a $10 million commitment to maintaining the health of the Gippsland Lakes and raising community awareness of the importance of the Lakes.

The finished books will be circulated to schools through East Gippsland for use by students.