Year 3 students at Meridan State College are becoming passionate advocates for some of the Sunshine Coast’s most remarkable seasonal visitors through their inquiry unit ‘Share the Shore’, developed in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council.
Now in its third year, the unit invites students to investigate the shorebird species that migrate to our coastline each year, the extraordinary journeys they undertake and the challenges they face when they arrive. Students also explore the practical actions being taken to protect shorebirds and their precious coastal habitats.
Learning moves beyond the classroom with field trips to Golden Beach, where students observe the foreshore and the shorebirds in their natural environment and learn from local experts and hands-on activities. They then use their discoveries to develop specialist knowledge, communicate important conservation messages and encourage others to share the shore responsibly.
“Share the Shore’ gives our students a powerful opportunity to connect curriculum learning through English, Science and The Arts with a real environmental issue in their own community,” said Head of Department – Curriculum Primary, Julie Elder. “Through our valued partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, students learn from experts, and see that their knowledge and actions can make a meaningful difference in their local community.
At Meridan we are committed to developing real-world learning opportunities that builds curiosity and a lifelong commitment to sustainability.”
The learning culminates in students sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with the wider community at the Meridan Shorebird Festival where they invite the parent community and other classes to come and find out more about these remarkable visitors to the Sunshine Coast.
At the festival, the student’s information texts and sculptures will be on display and they will create learning stations and interactive activities to engage the participants and convince them to join us in protecting our local species of Shorebirds.
Meridan State College encourages our students and the Caloundra community to attend the Shorebirds Festival at Fraser Park, Golden Beach on Saturday 26 September 2026. This festival helps our community understand the remarkable journeys these birds undertake and why they need safe places to rest and feed after their long migrations.
Share the Shore
Year 3 students Lincoln, Isla and Maleia have been studying one of our amazing shorebirds that visit our coastlines – The Far Eastern Curlew. Find out more about this amazing shorebird from our talented Year 3 writers.
A Remarkable Visitor by Lincoln Barclay
If you’re at Golden Beach, it is easy to spot the Far Eastern Curlew because it is the largest of all the shorebirds. These fascinating creatures have brown streaked plumage like the Whimbrel. Unlike the Whimbrel, it can turn its head and reach its tail with its beak. One thing that helps you spot them is their long, downward curved beak.
The Bird with the Clever beak by Isla Warren
The Far Eastern Curlew arrives in spring and stays from September to February so that’s when you will spot them. They feed by day and night on the foreshore. They use their long bill to probe deep into the mud and dig up crabs and molluscs. Their bill is like a special tool which they use to dig up food and crack open the shells of crabs.
We Can All Share the Shore by Maleia Gardiner
Unfortunately, Far Eastern Curlews are critically endangered. Shorebirds are easily disturbed by people and dogs. You can help by keeping your dogs on a leash and try your best to keep your distance from the Shorebirds. Another threat is habitat destruction. We need to look after beaches by picking up rubbish and staying off dunes. These amazing birds have travelled all the way from Russia to Golden Beach so we need to give them time space to rest.
Curlew images: Simone Bosshard, Sunshine Coast Council
