Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Local News

Students Hop Into Science

Students Justin Matthies and Lachlan Kirkbright happily examine their subject

Ever wondered what that noise at the bottom of the garden is?

By Tracey Matthies - 19th November 2002 - Back to News

Ever wondered if that noise at the bottom of the garden is a Marsh Frog, a Pobblebonk Frog, or even whether it’s a frog at all?

A group of keen students from four Latrobe Valley schools will almost certainly be able to answer such questions following a special science day in Morwell on Wednesday, November 13.

More than 40 children from Yinnar Primary and Morwell’s Commercial Rd, Crinigan Rd and Kode schools, as well as parents, teachers and community volunteers were trained in the skills and techniques required to conduct a frog census.

Science in Schools co-ordinator, Max Sargent, said it was a great opportunity for the children to work with real scientists and to be trained for a community based frog-monitoring program.

"This program will increase community knowledge of frogs found in the Morwell River Wetlands and Crinigan Rd Reserve, and improve our understanding of the distribution of frogs throughout the greater Latrobe Valley," Mr Sargent said, "It also provides an extra Waterwatch activity that is both enjoyable and educational for everyone involved."

The Morwell River Wetlands frog census and monitoring program is supported by the Amphibian Research Centre and its founder, Gerry Marantelli. President of the Victorian Frog Group, Gerry Marantelli is Australia’s leading expert and a world authority on husbandry and captive breeding of frogs. He is also a co-author of "The Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs," and has worked extensively with Melbourne Water, Waterwatch and the Amphibian Research Centre to develop a similar community-based frog-monitoring program within greater Melbourne.

Mr Marantelli taught the Latrobe Valley group how to record frog calls and to identify the different types of frogs recorded. The trainees will continue to hone their skills by sending future tapes and identifications to Mr Marantelli for verification.

Mr Sargent said the group would eventually be able to train other members of the community to ensure that quarterly frog census’s could be conducted at both the Morwell River Wetlands and Crinigan Rd Reserve.

"The health of our frog population is an important indicator of the health of our environment so this is a great way of linking classroom science programs with the broader community," Mr Sargent said.

For further information please contact Max Sargent, Science in Schools co-ordinator on 5134 2329 during school hours.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Gippsland students return to classrooms rated poor or below average, exposing Labor’s neglect of regional schools, says Danny O'Brien
  As Gippsland students return to school in 2026, 18 regional schools are rated poor or below average, highlighting Labor’s neglect and urgent need for infrastructure investment, says Danny O’Brien.
• Cowes Primary students visited Berninneit, meeting Mayor Halstead, exploring community spaces, learning about leadership and environment
  Curious Cowes Primary students meet Mayor Halstead at Berninneit, exploring local government, community spaces and environmental leadership during community walk visit.
• Darren Chester welcomes St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to parliament house for insight into Australian democracy
  Darren Chester welcomed St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to Parliament House, discussing democracy, civic engagement, and his role as Gippsland's representative while commending their enthusiasm and interest in national issues.
• Darren Chester praises TAFE Gippsland and BRHS partnership for training local students to strengthen regional health workforce
  Darren Chester praised TAFE Gippsland and BRHS for training local students, highlighting regional partnerships as key to addressing health workforce shortages and encouraging young people to pursue local health careers.
• Gippsland Water welcomes five local women into STEM internships, promoting diversity, innovation, and career pathways for students
  Gippsland Water welcomed five local women into STEM internships, providing real-world experience, mentoring, and career pathways while promoting diversity, inclusion, and innovation across multiple departments this summer.
• Latrobe City Council launches 'Kindness is key' campaign to empower students and tackle bullying together
  Latrobe City Council launched the Kindness is Key: Stop Bullying campaign, co-designed with students to promote kindness, upstander training, and community action against bullying across local schools.
• East Bairnsdale drain transformed into natural wetland enhancing biodiversity, stormwater management, and facilities near Jones Bay
  A neglected East Bairnsdale drain has been transformed into a natural wetland near Jones Bay, enhancing stormwater management, biodiversity, flood mitigation, and community amenity through a $1.43 million collaborative project.
• Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria, make a submission by 15 March 2026
  Parliamentary Inquiry launched to scrutinise Victoria’s 2026 bushfire preparedness, planning, and emergency response across regional communities.
• South Gippsland farmers dig into practical carbon farming at Down to Earth field day
  Thirty-five South Gippsland farmers explored carbon farming at Malabar Farm, learning practical ways to improve soil health, reduce emissions, and farm sustainably while sharing knowledge with peers.
• Bass Coast Shire Council presents free Woolamai Beach Safety event featuring Dr Rip’s 'Science of the Surf' on 7 March 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will host a free, family-friendly beach safety event at Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club on 7 March 2026, featuring Professor Rob Brander’s Science of the Surf and live rip demonstration.