Seeds of hope are nurtured

Broome children who attend Marnja Jarndu kids club last week joined thousands across Australia who invested in the country’s future as part of National Tree Day.

The children gathered at Minyirr Park, kitted out in National Tree Day hats and gloves provided by Broome Toyota, each holding a small tree donated by Max Goodwin of Red Earth Native Plants.

After the children planted their trees, Yawuru custodian Micklo Corpus took them on a tour of the park and showed them a possum in a tree.

“We’d like more families to be enjoying Minyirr Park and more energy, ideas and activities just like the kids club did today,” he said.

Marnja Jarndu child support worker Desiree Sutherland said it had been great for the children to appreciate the value of nurturing something.

“National Tree Day encourages people to care for the environment and kids are a strong part of that because they are our future,” Ms Sutherland said. “It reminds us as people that, like the trees, we need to look after our youth and nurture them.”

Marnja Jarndu kids club aims to promote social and emotional wellbeing. It is on three afternoons each week and provides activities such as bushwalking, swimming, body boarding, play, fishing and the Sandfly Circus.