Bendigo Bank North Richmond customer service manager Melanie Hunt got her hands dirty helping three-to-five-year-old Windsor Preschool students plant seedlings in their vegetable patch on Friday.
The event was part of Cool Australia’s Enviro-week 2014, which saw thousands of students across Australia make efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
An Enviroweek sponsor, Bendigo Bank North Richmond also sold re-usable canvas bags for $5 each and donated the proceeds to Cool Australia on behalf of Windsor Preschool and Kurrajong Public School, which also took part in Enviroweek.
Windsor Preschool educator Tina Vandorresteyn said the preschool students took part in a number of activities during Enviroweek, including the ‘lunchbox challenge’ in which the children were encouraged to bring ‘nude lunchboxes’ with no plastic wrap, making grass heads from stockings, and planting vegetables.
“The garden is part of their environment,’’ Ms Vandorresteyn told the Gazette.
‘‘They enjoy watering it and the gardening gloves and wheelbarrows are here for them and they know it’s their vegie patch. ‘‘They eat the vegetables and bring them home to their parents.
“Bendigo Bank helped us plant lettuce and climbing beans for the new season, and marigolds to keep the bugs away. We already have tomatoes, spinach, herbs, broccoli, strawberries, sugar snaps, chives, kale, carrots and cabbage.”
Bendigo Wealth executive John Billington said health was a major focus.
“At Bendigo Bank we are passionate about building sustainable communities,’’ he said.
‘‘Enviroweek is a great way young people of all ages can help create a safer, better and healthier place for us to live,’’ he said.
