More than 20,000 Australian children will be invited to dress up as their favourite Australian wildlife creature including the Greater Bilby, Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat and Green Tree Frog in the second major national fundraiser for Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) hosted by Affinity Education Group.
The 230 early education centres operated by Affinity Education Group will act as 'mini wildlife sanctuaries' for the 'Bushland Bonanza' themed fundraiser. Running over one week and coinciding with Steve Irwin Day (15 November 2025), the 'bonanza' aims to raise awareness and funds that will go towards supporting AWC's work in protecting Australia's threatened species.
Children aged 3-5 years old will be encouraged to come to class dressed as their favourite Australian animals and take part in learning activities.
Affinity Education Group Dr Lesley Jones, Head of Education and Pedagogy for Affinity, said the initiative was not only fun but educational for children and educators.
"Affinity Education Group is proud to be the only national provider of early education to have entered into a partnership focused purely on increasing knowledge and awareness of Australia's threatened wildlife," Lesley said.
"These children will be the guardians of our country in years to come and we feel privileged to be raising awareness alongside an organisation as respected as the AWC," she said.
The 'Bushland Bonanza' fundraiser is an extension of the partnership launched between Affinity Education Group and AWC in August 2023. As part of the partnership and Affinity Education Group's Lifelong Learning Curriculum, the two organisations produced the Australian-first 'Aussie Wildlife Champions' program which has been available to more than 10,000 children and more than 400 educators and early childhood teachers over the last year.
The 'Aussie Wildlife Champions' education program provides engaging lesson plans for 18 Australian species and introduces children to core principles of conservation and Australia's iconic and/or endangered species. Fun and age-specific videos describe the criticality and lifecycle of species such as Native Bees, Crocodiles, Numbats and Bilbies. Each lesson is filled with delightful imagery, insights and activities that will expand children's understanding of the breadth, depth and uniqueness of Australia's native species.
Affinity Education Group Last year, Affinity Education Group also hosted a Threatened Species Day fundraiser for AWC, which generated around $15,000 in donations.
Tim Allard, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Chief Executive Officer, thanked Affinity Education Group for a successful first year of partnership.
"It's an honour to work with the incredible team at Affinity Education Group and nurture the next generation of conservationists," said Mr Allard. "In less than 18 months, we've engaged thousands of young minds on the breadth of incredible native species in their own backyards and we expect they will have a blast incorporating their favourite species into their outfits and activities during Bushland Bonanza."
"Australia is home to some of the most unique (and adorable) animals in the world, and yet traditionally, Australian children in preschool and kindergarten classrooms are still taught about only a fraction of our native animals," Dr Jones said.
"Through the Aussie Wildlife Champions program within our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, we're setting our educators and teachers up to deliver a powerful combination of conservation and education, engaging our little learners in the wonders of Australia's native wildlife and inspiring new and emerging generations to care for our country."
