Possum boxes
In 2015 the Possum box project became a reality. It was initiated by Outer Eastern Living Learning Education Network OELLEN
http://oellen.org.au/ This group is all about linking education and industry. A group of enthusiastic students from Croydon Community School in Mt Dandenong Rd were selected for the project. The concept of suitable possum box design was researched by the co-ordinator to ensure they would only be used by sugar gliders. The front facade, prevents birds flying straight to the entry hole, which is hidden and must be accessed by climbing onto the verandah, open on both sides, then climbing an appropriately placed sturdy stick under the smallish hole.
Student, Men’s shed participant, Liz and Sandra from CCS with two of the completed boxes.
Bunnings kindly donated material and the Croydon Men’s Shed provided skilled assistance and the facilities. For about 5 weeks, on one day, the students worked along side their older experienced mentors to assemble the boxes, roof them with iron to be weather proof and finally decorate or paint the boxes. They ranged from a “hawks footy” themed box to bright fanciful ones and some environmentally themed ones.
Once completed they were officially handed over to Croydon Conservation Society and with the enormous assistance of Maroondah Councils Bushland Management team, all sixteen of them were fixed high up in trees in the reserves of Maroondah. This was a spectacularly engaging project for all involved.