River program branches out to remote Kimberley schools

A program where students take part in river-based activities has expanded from Perth into remote parts of the Kimberley.

Warlawurru Catholic School in Halls Creek and John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School, 300km away in Mulan, have joined 15 WA primary school teams of River Rangers.

River Rangers is part of the State Government Cadets WA program, which receives $3.6 million in funding annually.

It started in 2011 with five primary schools taking part in a pilot program in the Swan-Canning catchment area.

The program includes tree planting, clearing litter, bird and bat box building, biodiversity surveys and water quality testing.

Youth Minister Tony Simpson said the extension to the Kimberley would bring the total number of primary school students taking part each year to more than 700.

“The Government continues to honour its election commitment by increasing opportunities for young people in communities with few youth services. It is especially significant that these units are in Aboriginal communities,” Mr Simpson said.

“Expansion into the Kimberley is a fantastic achievement for the River Rangers program and wonderful news for the Kimberley community and the students taking part.”

Mr Simpson said it was vital young people in remote and regional communities were given every chance to reach their potential