By Renee Wood
A Wandin North Primary School student has inspired his school to help save the Helmeted Honeyeater by starting a fundraiser.
Grade two student Parker Tilley turned his sweet tooth into a production line for good, making jelly lolly bags to sell and donate the funds to the wildlife group ‘Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeaters’.
Parker said he wanted to help the animal, which is Victoria’s bird emblem, after he found out they were critically endangered.
“I’ve heard they are a critically endangered species and I heard that the Healesville sanctuary takes care of them and releases them in Yellingbo, where it’s a refuge here for them. So they just need more time and help,” Parker said.
Parker and his mum Justine Mizzi worked together in the kitchen making the jelly lollies from scratch, while dad Shane Tilley helped the eight year old create a website to share his story.
“When Packer decided that he wanted to do this, we were happy to support him wanting to do something good and when Shane offered to sell them online and to create a little website, Parker was quite excited about that so that was a great learning tool as well,” Justine said.
Some 221 bags of lollies were sold with over 1500 jelly moulds poured, raising $1053.60 thanks to pack purchaser and others donating to the cause.
A great feat for the young student who first set out with just a $35 goal.
“I thought wow, I think all this should go to the Helmeted Honeyeater to help boost their numbers,” Parker said.
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater group is planning to formally accept the funds at a school assembly when Covid restrictions allow.
Parker has chosen to split the funds between education programs and habitat restoration as the group plays a pivotal role in raising awareness for the critically endangered species.
Currently the bird’s numbers are being supported through a recovery program at the Healesville Sanctuary and there are only three small, semi-wild populations established in streamside swamp forest.
The Helmeted Honeyeater’s primary threat is a lose of habitat and competition from other birds.
Parker hopes to hold another fundraiser again in the future with other endangered species in his sights.
“Yes, I’d like to save the Gharial because there are only about like 200 of them left, it’s the second largest crocodile in the world and they live in Asia and China,” Parker said.
