Coomera State Special School – On-site 

Tilly the Nature Guardian 

Once upon a time, in the Australian outback, lived a Nature Guardian. Her name was Tilly, and she was part girl, part tree. Tilly was made from hessian, recyclables and materials left behind by nature. Her body sprouted from a tree trunk and her roots belonged to the Earth. She is a reminder that we are not separate from nature but deeply connected and intertwined. Tilly had a special power. She could listen to nature. She could hear the koalas as they searched for leaves, the platypus splashing in the flowing river and the frog hiding amongst the leaves. Tilly knew that nature needed a voice to advocate for it. So, she stood tall and became the voice of nature, inspiring others to protect wildlife, care for Country and make choices that help our planet.

In one hand, Tilly holds the Earth, reminding us that Australia is part of something much bigger. On her other arm sits a kookaburra, Tilly’s messenger, helping to carry her message through the Australian bush. Tilly wears an AAC system, representing our school’s belief that everyone matters and everyone has a voice. 96 students were involved in bringing Tilly to life, with each student contributing their own small part to her creation. Tilly reminds us that the small actions of many can make the biggest difference.