On Wednesday 12 October 2022 Paradoxa Collective facilitated a soundscape workshop with Panton Hill Primary School grade six students, lead by local Musician and Educator, Kate Adam. Our workshop was designed to foster a deeper connection to the local natural environment for the students. It further developed awareness of the endangered Southern Toadlet and its habitat in Bunjil Reserve, which is walking distance from the school.

The workshop began with mindfulness activities with a focus on our senses, deep listening and breathing exercises, helping the students to become grounded and tuned in to the environment and the surrounding sounds of nature.

Kate asked the students what they thought could contribute to the soundscape. After a brainstorm, it was decided that there would be various groups making different sounds using materials sourced from the surrounds and clap sticks. There were clusters of students working with and around the seating circle: a group representing the call of the Southern Toadlet, another making sounds of the wind, a flock of very squawky birds and some boxing kangaroos.

Kate recorded the students as they performed their roles and created the sounds.

This workshop was the final in the Under the Canopy; Making and Shaping series of activities in the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves during 2022 curated by Paradoxa Collective and supported by Nillumbik Council & Panton Hill Living and Learning. This activity will inform and support a performance planned for sometime in 2023…