Stanley River Environmental Education Centre

Stanley River Environmental Education Centre A centre for the earth where everyone is understood, engaged and successful. A centre for the earth where everyone is understood engaged and successful.

Stanley River EEC inspires and connects students, schools and community with the environment through outdoor learning to build a sustainable future for self, place and others.

Mornings like these remind us just how lucky we are to work at Stanley River EEC. 🌅💚From misty waterways to golden sunri...
04/06/2026

Mornings like these remind us just how lucky we are to work at Stanley River EEC. 🌅💚
From misty waterways to golden sunrises and towering gums, every day begins with a connection to nature and Country.

This week, we’re excited to be sharing these experiences with Chancellor State College, creating opportunities for students to learn, explore, and build lasting memories in the outdoors.

🌿 The old girl has had a facelift! 🌿For generations, this building has been at the heart of Stanley River. Long before i...
04/06/2026

🌿 The old girl has had a facelift! 🌿

For generations, this building has been at the heart of Stanley River. Long before it became the Stanley River Environmental Education Centre, it served as part of the original Stanley River State School. When the construction of Somerset Dam changed the landscape, the school buildings were relocated up the hill to their current site, where they have continued to educate and inspire ever since.

Over the years, this old girl has seen a lot. School children, teachers, field study groups, environmental investigations, camp adventures, and countless stories shared on Jinibara Country. She has stood through changing times, changing landscapes, and changing generations.

Today, we're excited to reveal her latest chapter: a fresh new Eucalyptus Green paint job. 🌿

Inspired by the gum trees, bushland and natural beauty that surround us here at Stanley River, the new colour reflects our connection to the local environment and our commitment to education for a sustainable future. The refreshed look celebrates both our history and the living landscape that continues to shape who we are.

From humble beginnings as a rural schoolhouse to the welcoming heart of our Environmental Education Centre, this building remains a symbol of learning, community and resilience.

Here's to preserving our history while embracing the future. 💚

🦎✨ WOW — What an incredible visit! ✨📸Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the amazing students and staff ...
03/06/2026

🦎✨ WOW — What an incredible visit! ✨📸

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming the amazing students and staff from Milpera State High School back to Stanley River Environmental Education Centre and we loved every minute of it!

Not only do we always enjoy seeing the students engage with our beautiful natural environment, but we were also once again blown away by the incredible talent of Duc Hoang and his breathtaking native wildlife photography. 🐸🦋🐍

Duc generously shared these stunning images captured during the visit, showcasing some of the amazing local wildlife that calls our environment home. His eye for detail and passion for nature truly brings these creatures to life! 🌿💚

A huge thank you to Milpera SHS and Duc for another memorable visit. We already can’t wait to have you back at Stanley River EEC! 🌏✨

So good to have these Toogoolawah students and staff as a part of our emerging elders camp!
23/05/2026

So good to have these Toogoolawah students and staff as a part of our emerging elders camp!

Something very special happened last night.The Bunya to the Bay Project was awarded the win in the First Nations Project...
21/05/2026

Something very special happened last night.

The Bunya to the Bay Project was awarded the win in the First Nations Projects category at the National Trust Queensland Heritage Awards.

Ben Gall and the team at AHS nominated the project in recognition of the significant and generous work of our Bunya to the Bay Elders team over many years in steering and guiding the project into what it is today.

I was humbled to be invited along with the AHS team and honoured to receive the award alongside Ben. As I said in my speech, in many ways I was not the right person to receive the award, but I was deeply honoured to represent the Elders whose wisdom, leadership, and care have shaped this journey: Aunty Vera Sullivan, Uncle Ken Murphy, Aunty Faye Carr, Aunty Sheryl Thompson, Uncle Eddie Ruska, and Aunty Becky Thomson along with the late Uncle Sam Watson.

I also want to acknowledge predecessor as project coordinator and Stanley River EEC Principal Andrew Travis, along with my principal colleagues from Barambah EEC and Moreton Bay EEC, Ben Ryan and Di Aylward. Also the teachers and support staff from each of these centres that invest significant time, energy and passion in planning and delivering this project. Thank you also to the many other organisations and individuals who continue to support this life-changing program.

Bunya to the Bay brings together a diverse group of young Australians and equips them to become Ambassadors for Reconciliation and River Care. It is a privilege to play a small part in a project that continues to create such meaningful connections between people, place, culture, and Country. Moreton Bay Environmental Education CentreBarambah Environmental Education Centre

Today our team celebrated World Bee Day and International Tea Day with a lovely morning tea around the fire.We enjoyed c...
20/05/2026

Today our team celebrated World Bee Day and International Tea Day with a lovely morning tea around the fire.

We enjoyed camp oven damper with honey, a cup of tea, and planted a native flowering lemon-scented tea tree.

Moments like these remind us of the enjoyment found in the simple experiences — sharing stories and space outdoors and taking time to appreciate and care for the natural world around us. 🍯🐝🌿☕️

Another one of our Emerging Elders groups enjoying their experience at our centre ☺️
14/05/2026

Another one of our Emerging Elders groups enjoying their experience at our centre ☺️

🦇✨ Bat-tastic discovery on Somerset Dam! ✨🦇Our team was out on the water recently when they spotted these adorable littl...
14/05/2026

🦇✨ Bat-tastic discovery on Somerset Dam! ✨🦇

Our team was out on the water recently when they spotted these adorable little microbats tucked away in a tree on the edge of Somerset Dam! 🌿🚤

These tiny night-time superheroes might be small, but they play a HUGE role in our environment. Australian microbats are incredible natural pest controllers, capable of eating up to 50% of their body weight in insects every single night! 🤯

That means one tiny microbat can devour hundreds of insects in just an hour — including mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. 🌙🦟

So next time you see a bat fluttering through the night sky, remember they’re helping keep our ecosystems healthy and our mozzie numbers down! 💚

Nature never ceases to amaze us here at Somerset Dam! 🌅🦇

Last week our centre was lucky enough to host multiple schools for our annual Emerging Elders Camp on beautiful Jinibara...
13/05/2026

Last week our centre was lucky enough to host multiple schools for our annual Emerging Elders Camp on beautiful Jinibara Country. 🌿

This unique program gives students the opportunity to come and experience Jinibara Country and truly soak it up — learning how Jinibara Elders of the past mentored and guided their communities, and exploring how these lessons can inspire student leadership in today’s school settings.

Throughout the camp, students developed an appreciation for ancient, historical and contemporary Jinibara culture while undertaking canoe and journeys, investigating traditional tools and technologies, listening to stories, playing tribal games and learning language.

Most importantly, students were encouraged to reflect on their own role in leading communities towards a reconciled and harmonious future.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this experience so meaningful for our young leaders. 💛🖤❤️

Why do outdoor camps matter so much for young people?Recent Australian research into outdoor adventure education found t...
13/05/2026

Why do outdoor camps matter so much for young people?
Recent Australian research into outdoor adventure education found that while students certainly enjoy activities like canoeing, climbing and campfires, the things they valued most were actually much deeper.
Students spoke about:
• building friendships and social connection
• growing in confidence and independence
• learning resilience through challenge
• developing a sense of empowerment and capability
• feeling calmer and happier outdoors
One student summed it up simply: “I love being in the outdoors.”
At Stanley River EEC, we see these outcomes regularly. Whether students are paddling across Somerset Dam, learning to navigate, working together to set up camp, or simply spending time away from screens and routines, outdoor learning creates opportunities for personal growth that are difficult to replicate in a classroom alone.
Outdoor and environmental education is not just about adventure — it is about helping young people discover what they are capable of while developing stronger connections with others, the environment and themselves.
We are grateful to partner with schools to create meaningful learning experiences on Country that support both education and wellbeing.
Research referenced:
Down et al. (2023) “I love being in the outdoors”: A qualitative descriptive study of outdoor adventure education program components for adolescent wellbeing. Journal of Adolescence.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12197

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3856 Esk-Kilcoy Road
Hazeldean, QLD
4515

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+61754971447

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