Bandicoots on the Flight Path

This project is inspired by Rick van Keulen's 'Marsupial Masterpiece' at Iramoo Wildflower Grasslands Reserve. We're planting 4 or 5 giant bandicoots on Parks Victoria and Melbourne airport land over 3-4 years.

'Bandicoots crossing the Western Plains will be seen from the air by passengers departing from and arriving at Melbourne Airport. Revegetated Indigenous wildflowers, planted in the shape of giant bandicoots will be created by schools, community groups and local Melbourne Airport and Parks Victoria Staff; with ongoing programs to maintain stewardship of the bandicoots over time.

These Bandicoot grassland icons will be part of the nearby works at the Woodlands Historic Park to upgrade the Moonee Ponds Creek ‘Bandicoots to Bay’ Shared Trail including the Wurundjeri  Murrup Gurrong Yan (Spiritual Creek Walk), Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale.'

Project Partners include: Steve Cantwell & Tim Liddell (Parks Victoria), Rachel Lopes (Chain of Ponds), Catherine van Wilgenberg (Living Colour Studios), David Woods (Melbourne Airport), Travis Scicchitano (Conservation Volunteers Australia), Liz Turner (Hume City Council) and Ryan van den Hove (Melbourne Water).

Project Manager: Tim Liddell, Parks Victoria

Project Update: February 2023

What a great day we had painting tin and laying mat on Tuesday 29 Nov! We had 40 students from both Greenvale Secondary College and Penleigh and Essendon Grammar join Parks Victoria Rangers and artist, Catherine van Wilgenburg.

We prepared 2 sites for future planting, one with tin and the other with matting.

Thanks to Catherine and the kids, the tin has a giant bandicoot painted on it. We can't wait to hear what Melbournians think when they see the bandicoots when flying in and out of Melbourne.

Giant Bandicoots Visible from the Sky,  Melbourne Airport Media Release 

Conservation visible from the sky, Parks Victoria article

Project Video, February 2023