Parish News
Students from the St Aloysius Primary School Laudato Si’ Team recently put Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ into action through a day of environmental restoration, service and community connection at Carranballac.
Following the devastating bushfires that swept through Streatham, Carranballac and surrounding rural areas in January 2026, the students partnered with BlazeAid Australia to support the restoration of fire-affected farmland. Working alongside BlazeAid volunteers and members of the local community, students planted more than 250 sugar gums and native trees, contributing to the establishment of shelter belts, green corridors and regenerated habitat for local wildlife.
The experience provided an authentic opportunity for students to engage with the seven Laudato Si’ Action Goals and Catholic Social Teaching. Through practical service, students responded to the Cry of the Earth and the needs of a fire-affected community while learning about biodiversity, ecological restoration and their responsibility to care for our common home.
Prior to the excursion, all students were invited to decorate tree guards with colourful artwork and messages of hope for the farmers and their families. These messages became a powerful symbol of solidarity, reminding students that caring for creation is also about caring for people and communities.
The project was made possible through the generosity and collaboration of community partners. The Catholic Development Fund generously supported the cost of transport, while Ballarat Coachlines partnered with the school to further reduce the cost of bus hire. Their support enabled students to take their learning beyond the classroom and make a tangible contribution to the wider community.
Sarah Page, Social Justice Education Officer at DOBCEL, also joined the students for the day, working alongside them and the BlazeAid volunteers. We are grateful to Sarah for her ongoing guidance, passion for ecological education and commitment to assisting young people to make a genuine contribution to environmental restoration.
This was Catholic Social Teaching in action. The students did more than plant trees—they planted hope, strengthened community connections and demonstrated a lasting commitment to caring for our common home.
Through experiences such as this, St Aloysius Primary School continues to bring its vision, “Fullness of Life for All,” to life through faith, learning and action.
Torie Waight – Catholic Identity Leader/Classroom Teacher
