ketekorero November 2015
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school news Millie shows practical compassion for endangered kakapo Millie Lucich (centre) with (front) her sister Rosie and Billie Bradley (both Year one) and supportive Year 3 friends Maiah Ngawhika, Molly Bradley and Imogen Blundell. (Below) Millie Lucich and her teacher Lynley Schofield.
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n a freezing morning in early September, Millie Lucich and her dad set up a stall at the Rotorua Market to support the threatened native bird, the kakapo. For once it did not rain at the Saturday market in Kuirau Park. However, it was cold, officially 4 degrees centigrade but lower at that early time of the day. However, backed by her teacher and class at St Mary Mackillop Catholic School, 8-year-old Millie was on a mission. Year 3 teacher Lynley Schofield says the class studied sustainability
during term two, and this included why people should look after native birds. Millie selected the endangered kakapo and talked to her parents, Cameron and Nuala, about the kakapo and how only 150 remained. “I said really, really loved the kakapo, and its endangered and I would like to help raise money to save it,” Millie said. Dad contacted the Department of Conservation, which suggested she raise some money. The class got behind the project too, drawing kakapos that were reduced in size so that children
in the middle school could colour them in as part of the school’s Mary Mackillop Day for Service. The drawings were then laminated and turned into bookmarks. The DoC also pitched in with flyers, stickers and badges. Cameron and Millie set up their stall at the Saturday morning market, with a table and posters put up at 6 am. Millie engaged in a discussion about the kakapo with people who came to the stall and gave them material about the endangered bird. Those who gave donations were also given the special bookmarks, with a total of $150.60 raised. “I was really impressed and happy.” Millie was also grateful for the help she received from friends who came to help her. She learned that people do care about the kakapo and what the bird meant to them. NOTE: Karen Arnold, the Conservation Services Ranger – Kakapo, who liaised with Cameron and Millie expressed her thanks as follows: “Millie’s generous contribution is about more than just the money. She has shown genuine compassion and commitment to a cause and, as a result, has influenced and inspired others to act in a positive way. “At the same time, the kakapo recovery story has been spread to new audiences; our team’s hearts were warmed by her thoughtfulness.”
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