| Animal Club |
|
Animal Club is a national network of clubs in schools across Australia intended to inspire and encourage schools to get active for animal protection. Animal Clubs inspire and encourage students to develop and foster the values, knowledge, understanding and skills needed to protect animals. With almost 1000 registered members across the country, this network is helping to incorporate the critical values of respect and compassion for animals into the Australian education system. Schools are becoming aware that discussing animal protection issues is of great benefit to students: encouraging them to think critically, grapple with difficult ethical issues, consider the meaning of right and wrong and feel empowered to make a difference in society. 
Voiceless has been delighted at the dedication and passion of Animal Club leaders who enable this network. These humane educators are forging a new path in education: one which fosters the humane decision-makers and leaders of tomorrow and will transform our country into a place in which we can all be proud of its animal protection stance. Since its launch in 2006, Animal Clubs have been involved in a myriad of exciting initiatives and activities dedicated to raising awareness about factory farmed animals in Australia, including chickens and pigs through craft activities, colouring in competitions, poetry and even song writing. Clubs have also focused on wildlife issues by creating safe habitats on school campuses and raised significant funds and collected or made needed resources for their favourite animal groups. The comprehensive Animal Club website provides educators with tools and humane education resources enabling them to bring messages of compassion and respect into the classroom. Our dedicated and passionate Animal Club Ambassador, celebrated actress Abbie Cornish who has long been a keen animal advocate, continues to take an active interest in our Club members. In 2007, she took the time to visit some of our more active schools in
Each year, the club that does the most for animals, exhibiting energy and innovation in its activities, receives a $5,000 “Humane School” prize. Seed funding is also available throughout the year to assist with the costs of Animal Club activities. Through these mechanisms, over $25,000 has been awarded to Animal Clubs since 2006.
|
