12 July 2023

Students from St Macartan’s School, Mornington, ran, skipped and danced for peace and the planet in their contribution to the global eco-relay, Run4Unity.

Over 200,000 individuals, families and community groups participated in the relay, with St Macartan’s the only school representing Australia. The challenge is for a tree to be planted locally for every kilometre completed by participants, with the school aiming to double that goal.

Thanks to the kilometres completed by the school community, 492 indigenous species will be planted by Merricks Coolart Landcare in corridors for wildlife to move freely and safely. Students will propagate an additional 492 indigenous seedlings for Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park, taking their total contribution to 984 plants.

The purpose of this global relay is to unite in peace for the planet, promoted through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Land restoration is key because it helps to support and sustain ecological biodiversity and health.

St Macartan’s School is already filled with indigenous plants and is a habitat space for rosellas, rainbow lorikeets, butcherbirds, frogs and blue-tongue lizards. The students are ready to make a difference for the rest of the Mornington Peninsula.