Published on Thursday, 13 June 2024 at 5:27:42 PM
All Saints’ College and the Town of Victoria Park have collaborated to help honour the memory of the College’s former Environment Captain by installing an automated bird waterer – the first on school premises in WA.
Jacob Powell, remembered for his kindness, compassion and dedication to environmental causes, served as All Saints’ College’s Environment Captain in 2021. His tragic passing on the eve of graduation, due to medical complications following an arm injury, left a profound impact on the community.
Jacob’s parents, Sarah-Jayne and Vic Powell, engaged with Town of Victoria Park staff and funded the installation of the bird waterer on school grounds as a tribute to the memory of their son. Reflecting on Jacob’s passion for the environment, Sarah-Jayne said the ongoing support of meaningful environmental initiatives would have made him very proud.
“He followed Greta Thunberg and was thrilled when [All Saints’ College Principal] Belinda Provis gifted him one of Greta’s books,” said Sarah-Jayne. “Jacob would have loved the idea of the bird waterer being on the College campus, especially the thought of providing safe drinking facilities for an endangered species such as the Western Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo,” she added.
Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon said she was moved to be part of the tribute. “Protecting the environment has always been one of the Town’s priorities. We’re thrilled that the Town’s originally designed and developed bird waterer is honouring the memory of a young man who cared so much for the natural environment.”
“I hope that Jacob’s family and friends are reminded of him whenever they see birds using the bird waterer and are inspired to be champions for the environment.”
Principal Belinda Provis said that Jacobs's love of the environment and his kind and caring ways touched many people at the College during his 14 years as a student, and it was an honour to have the bird waterer installed in his memory.
“One of Jacob’s mantras was ‘in a world where you can be anything, be kind’,” said Ms Provis.
“The College adopted that as our theme in 2022, and now we are thrilled that Jacob’s passion for the environment, and his kindness, have resulted in this fabulous addition to our Gabiljee Campus, thanks to the support of the Powell Family and Town of Victoria Park.”
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