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©ABC 2018
Questions for discussion
Bushfires
1. Explain the BTN story to another student.
2. Where in New South Wales were the bushfires? Locate using Google Maps.
3. Describe what happened to Cooper.
4. How do you think Cooper and his family felt knowing the fires were near his home?
5. About how many homes were destroyed in the fires?
6. How have people in the community come together to help out?
7. What impact did the bushfires have in western Victoria?
8. Who was particularly affected by the fires?
9. What do you understand more clearly about the impact bushfires have?
10. Write a message of support to the people affected by the bushfires and post it in the
comments section on the story page.
Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.
What is the Commonwealth?
1. In pairs, discuss the BTN story and record the main points of the discussion
2. How often are the Commonwealth Games held?
3. Where are the Commonwealth Games being held this year?
4. How many countries are invited to compete at the Commonwealth Games?
5. Why did Britain colonise countries around the world?
6. By the early 1900s, the British Empire covered a ___________ of the world.
7. How did many of the countries feel about being colonised by Britain?
8. In the late 1800s and the 1900s British colonies started breaking away and became
independent. True or false?
9. What was formed in 1931 after the British Empire was dismantled?
10. What questions do you have after watching the BTN story?
Check out the What is the Commonwealth? resource on the Teachers page.
Voting Age Experiment Results
1. Discuss the BTN story as a class. What points were raised in the discussion?
2. Explain the voting experiment that some students have been involved in recently.
3. What was the aim of the experiment?
4. How old are the students participating in the mock election?
5. Why do some people think that the voting age should be lowered to 16?
6. What was the result of the South Australian election?
7. How did it compare to the youth vote?
8. Young people voted in much bigger numbers for the Greens than adults did. True or false?
Episode 8
27th March 2018
©ABC 2018
9. How has your thinking changed since watching the BTN story?
10. Do you think the voting age should be lowered to 16? Explain your answer.
Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.
Mars Class
1. Explain what the students in the BTN Mars Class story are doing.
2. Students run their own simulated mission to _________.
3. Their mission is to find out…
4. What is the role of the biologist?
5. Give examples of the different tasks students carry out.
6. What is the role of mission director?
7. Describe the mission control room.
8. What are the diagnostic questions?
9. How do students describe the experience of space school?
10. What did you learn watching the Mars Class story?
Check out the Mars Class resource on the Teachers page.
Easter Bilbies
1. What did the BTN story explain?
2. Rabbits are an introduced species. True or false?
3. Why are rabbits a problem in Australia?
4. Name three facts about bilbies.
5. Which species of bilby is now extinct?
6. Bilbies are listed as
a. Vulnerable
b. Threatened
c. Endangered
7. About how many bilbies are left in the wild?
8. What did one chocolate company decide to do in the 1990s?
9. Finish the following sentence: Part of the money made from selling the chocolate bilbies
goes towards…
10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?
Do the quiz on the BTN website.
©ABC 2018
Teacher Resource
What is the Commonwealth?
1. In pairs, discuss the BTN story and record the main points of the
discussion
2. How often are the Commonwealth Games held?
3. Where are the Commonwealth Games being held this year?
4. How many countries are invited to compete at the Commonwealth
Games?
5. Why did England colonise countries around the world?
6. By the 19th Century, the English empire covered a ___________ of
the world.
7. How did many of the countries feel about being colonised by
England?
8. In the late 1800s and the 1900s British colonies started breaking
away and became independent. True or false?
9. What was formed in 1931 after the British Empire was dismantled?
10. What questions do you have after watching the BTN story?
Class Discussion
Discuss the BTN Commonwealth Games story as a class. Some starter
questions include:
• Where have you seen the word 'Commonwealth' before?
• What do you think all the countries who compete in the
Commonwealth Games have in common?
What questions were raised in the discussion (what are the gaps in their
knowledge)? The following KWLH organiser provides students with a
framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they
would like to know and learn.
What do I know?
What do I want to know?
What have I learnt?
How will I find out?
Episode 8
27th March 2018
November 2016
Students will learn about the
Commonwealth and explore
similarities and differences between
countries that are a part of the
Commonwealth.
History – Year 5
Reasons (economic, political and
social) for the establishment of
British colonies in Australia after
1800.
Geography – Year 6
Differences in the economic,
demographic and social
characteristics of countries across
the world.
Australia’s connections with other
countries and how these change
people and places.
©ABC 2018
Students will develop their own question/s for inquiry, collecting and recording information from a range of
sources.
• What is the Commonwealth? Describe using your own words.
• What countries are part of the Commonwealth?
• Where did the Commonwealth games start and Why?
• What does being part of the Commonwealth mean for Australia?
Glossary
Develop a glossary of words and terms that relate to the story. Below are some words to get students
started. Add words and meanings to the glossary as you come across unfamiliar words throughout your
research. Consider using pictures and diagrams to illustrate meanings.
Challenge students by asking them to use words from their class glossary to write their own sentences.
Alternatively, students can make their own crossword puzzle, word find or complete the following sentence
starters.
The Commonwealth ………………………………………………………………………………………
The Head of State ………………………………………………………………………………………….
The Commonwealth Games ………………………………………………………………………………
Compare and contrast
Print a selection of flags from various countries or territories that are members of the Commonwealth. Ask
students if they can name what country each flag represents. As a class, discuss any similarities and
differences between these countries recording students’ responses in a Venn diagram. Students will then
choose two countries who are part of the Commonwealth to compare and contrast in depth.
Commonwealth British Empire Colonisation
Independence Head of State The Queen
Research project: Compare two countries that are a part of the Commonwealth
Name of country
Which continent is the country
found?
What is the population?
Main languages spoken
Who is their Head of
Government?
When was it colonised by the
British? Why?
©ABC 2018
Country profile
Students will choose a country that is part of the Commonwealth to explore in depth. Visit this website for a
list of nations and territories that are part of the Commonwealth. Encourage students to each choose a
different country to explore. Students can use this template to record the information they find.
©ABC 2018
BTN – Commonwealth Games
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3012459.htm
Gold Coast 2018 – History of the Games
https://www.gc2018.com/history-games
Gold Coast 2018 – Nations and Territories
https://www.gc2018.com/games/nations-and-territories
ABC Education – Commonwealth Games
http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/29493/commonwealth-games
Young Commonwealth – What is the Commonwealth?
http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/
Young Commonwealth – Timeline
http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/our-story/
©ABC 2018
Teacher Resource
Mars Class
1. Explain what the students in the BTN Mars Class story are doing.
2. Students run their own simulated mission to _________.
3. Their mission is to find out…
4. What is the role of the biologist?
5. Give examples of the different tasks students carry out.
6. What is the role of mission director?
7. Describe the mission control room.
8. What are the diagnostic questions?
9. How do students describe the experience of space school?
10. What did you learn watching the Mars Class story?
After watching the BTN Mars Class story, respond to the following questions:
Mars Mind Map Hold a class discussion about the
information raised in the Mars Class
story. Create a class mind map about
Mars asking students to record what
they know.
• What did you SEE in this video?
• What do you THINK about what you saw in this video?
• What does this video make your WONDER?
• What did you LEARN from this story?
• How did this story make you FEEL?
• What was SURPRISING about this story?
Episode 8
27th March 2018
November 2016
Students will develop a deeper
understanding of Mars. They will
investigate how Mars compares to
other planets, what life would be like
on Mars and plan a voyage to the
red planet.
Science - Year 5 The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star (the sun).
Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions.
Science – Years 5 & 6 With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations.
Science – Year 7 Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available.
©ABC 2018
Profile of Mars
Create a profile of Mars using a range of
sources of information. The following questions
will help guide students’ research:
• When and who discovered Mars?
• How was it named?
• How big is Mars?
• Where is Mars in the solar system?
• What does Mars look like? Describe
using words and pictures.
• List 10 interesting facts about Mars.
Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Mars with other planets in our solar system. Compare and
contrast the size of the planets, the distance from the sun and its physical features.
Life on Mars
Students will investigate what it would be like to live on Mars and what would be needed to sustain human
life. Begin with a class brainstorm using the following questions to guide discussion:
• What do you think it would be like to live on Mars?
• What are the benefits of having a space settlement on Mars?
• When planning for life on Mars what are some important things to think about?
Students will then need to research conditions on Mars so they can plan and design a settlement on Mars
that will sustain human life.
Source: NASA
Students can create either a model or a labelled diagram of their Mars settlement. Display students’ work in
a public space in the school.
Research questions
• What are the conditions like on Mars?
• What needs to be considered when planning a colony on Mars. For example:
o Water supply o Atmosphere (air supply) o Temperature o Food Production o Gravity o Waste Management
• What materials could be used to build a space settlement?
©ABC 2018
Mission to Mars
Do you think that in about another century humans will be able to travel to Mars? Imagine you are one of the
first people to travel on a spacecraft to Mars. Respond to the following:
• What will you need to do to prepare for your journey?
• What will you take with you and why?
• How far do you have to travel from Earth?
• What do you see on your journey?
• Explain your first impressions of Mars. Analyse sand describe the environment.
• Design a vehicle for travelling around on Mars’ rocky surface. Before designing and making your
model, learn more about the terrain of Mars. Write a description about how your vehicle will work.
Students can watch the following NASA: Mars in a Minute videos as part of their research.
How do you get to Mars?
How do you land on Mars?
Questions and Answers
Students make a list of questions they have about Mars to ask ROVE-E, NASA’s online robot. Here are
some questions to get them started:
• Why is Mars called the red planet?
• Can we live on Mars?
• Who discovered Mars?
• Have there been any signs of life on Mars?
• Is there water on Mars?
• How long would it take to travel to Mars?
Send a Postcard to Curiosity Students send a postcard to Mars rover
Curiosity.
Step 1: Choose a postcard.
Step 2: Write a message.
Step 3: View other messages that people have
sent to Curiosity.
In small groups, students can brainstorm ideas
for their messages.
©ABC 2018
NASA – Mars Facts
https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/facts/
BTN – Mars Mission
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3566674.htm
BTN – Mars Experiment
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4305305.htm
Hamilton Secondary College – Space School
https://www.hamcoll.sa.edu.au/curriculum/space-school/
©ABC 2018
BTN: Episode 8 Transcript 27/3/18
Hey, Amelia here. Thanks for joining me for BTN.
Coming up today.
• The Commonwealth Games is just around the corner so we're going to find out how the Commonwealth actually started.
• We'll also reveal the results of the first youth voting experiment.
• Visit Mars right here on Earth.
• And taste-test the only Easter chocolates that could actually help the environment.
NSW & VIC Bushfires
Reporter: Matt Holbrook
INTRO: But first. We're going to take a closer look at the bushfires that hit Victoria and News South
Wales last weekend. Here's an update on where things are at now and what help is still needed.
It's been a tough week for many kids around Tathra.
Cooper's one of them he's 8.
COOPER: We were at home and we'd seen the flames out of our neighbour’s house that way. And
we had to go down to the surf club and the beach and had to evacuate to Bega. It was really scary,
like there was flames everywhere and it was really hot. Down at the beach it was windy and stuff
and it was really hot on our legs.
He got out safely with his parents and, while they expected the worst, they're really grateful to find
their house was saved.
We've made posters to thank the Firies for saving our home and saving the community's homes.
We went over and brought a box of chocolate to them yesterday. I'd like to thank them a lot
because they saved our home which we thought was definitely gone. They put their lives on the
line for us.
But many other people in Cooper's area did lose theirs.
RESIDENT: We're pretty sad, we've lost everything except each other.
Around 70 homes were destroyed and others were damaged.
And it's only been in the past few days that people have had the chance to return and see what
they've lost.
©ABC 2018
RESIDENT: It was heartbreaking it was shattering it was shocking.
It's a similar story for these people in Western Victoria.
Fires here destroyed 26 homes and many farmers have been particularly affected losing property
and livestock.
It's shattering, to be honest. A lifetime's work's all gone in five minutes, and it'll take years to get it
all back up again.
No human lives were lost in any of the recent fires but many still need help.
This evacuation centre has been set up in Bega near Tathra, giving people somewhere safe to
stay as well as food and other necessities.
Tea coffee biscuits muesli bars 2-minute noodles just stuff to keep people going.
Others have offered up their homes.
Wildlife rescuers have been busy, too caring for animals who have nowhere to go.
WILDLIFE CARER: In the cage she's got fresh water and bottle brush and grevillea at the back
which is what they eat in their normal habitat which has all been burnt out in Tathra.
Whether it's in Victoria or in New South Wales, people are doing what they can to look out for each
other. Now and in the coming weeks as they clean up and prepare to start over.
This Week in News
Around the world hundreds of thousands of people have come together calling for stricter gun
control laws in America.
MEGHAN BONNER: I don't want to feel unsafe in school anymore, I want to see change.
It all started after a shooting at a school in Florida last month and since then teenagers from that
school and others across the country have been campaigning for politicians to do more to keep
them safe.
Here in Washington DC, the capital of the United States, nearly half a million-people joined the
March For Our Lives, including celebrities like Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus.
Facebook has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Last week, it came out that a big
research firm called Cambridge Analytica had got a hold of the personal information of 50 million
Facebook users and was using it to help advertisers influence their opinions.
PROFESSOR MELISSA DE ZWART: The big difference with the Cambridge Analytica story is not
only that they were collecting data and selling that data to someone else but the fact that they were
using that data to change our behaviour to make people think and act and in this case vote
differently than they may otherwise have done.
©ABC 2018
Now the guy who created Facebook Mark Zuckerberg has announced he's going to do more to
protect user's privacy. But for some people that's not enough. Since the scandal the hashtag-
delete Facebook has taken off. We'll give you the full details on how you can keep your data safe
next week.
And some of the world's most famous landmarks went dark on the weekend for Earth Hour.
Earth Hour's held every year. People switch off their light to raise awareness about the effects of
climate change. This year, millions of people in 187 countries took part.
What is the Commonwealth?
Reporter: Ruby Cornish
INTRO: Next up. The Commonwealth Games are just around the corner and this time the Gold
Coast is hosting right here in Aus! Athletes will soon be arriving from around the world. But who
decides which countries are actually invited? Here's the answer.
The Commonwealth Games. It's a big, important competition featuring a bunch of sports like the
ones you'd see at the Olympics. And now apparently this one too.
REPORTER: The Games happen every four years and each time they take place in a country
that's part of the Commonwealth. This year, that's Australia. Alright guys, let’s play Stuck in the
Mud.
Only 53 countries are invited to compete at the Commonwealth Games because they are, you
guessed it, members of the Commonwealth. This includes some you might expect, and some you
might not. But the story of how this random group of countries actually got together to compete can
be traced back to one team in particular; England.
As far back as the 1500s, the English were travelling the world laying claim to many of the places
they came across. Their aim was to make international trade easier, spread Christianity around the
world, and make some money. Over the years, they established colonies in dozens of countries
over six continents. In fact, by the early 1900s the British Empire covered a quarter of the world.
But it's important to remember, in many of these countries, like Australia, people were already
living here when the British came ashore and they weren't happy about the new arrivals.
Indigenous Australians lost their land when the British arrived and were treated really badly. The
negative effects of this are still felt today.
Throughout the late 1800s and the 1900s, countries colonised by Britain started arguing they
should be allowed to govern themselves. They started breaking away to become independent. But
some countries had a hard time ousting the Empire. For example, it took many, many years before
India finally achieved independence. Over time, the British Empire was dismantled. But in its place,
a new relationship was formed, the Commonwealth. It was originally called the British
Commonwealth of Nations and was officially created in 1931 as a way for countries with past ties
to Britain to work together freely and voluntarily.
©ABC 2018
And as an added bonus, they compete with each other. Every 4 years the 53 Commonwealth
member nations fight for gold alongside some other territories that aren't technically independent
nations. All up, you'll see 71 teams aiming for the winner's podium from all corners of the globe.
So now you know the story behind this seemingly random group of countries set to take on
Australia at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast this year. Just don't expect any of them
to be playing this sport. Well not yet, anyway.
Quiz
The Commonwealth Games have been cancelled twice. Why?
War
Not enough athletes signed up
The host city wasn't ready
The answer: War, specifically World War II
Ask a Reporter
Please note, our regular Ask a Reporter live session will not be held this week due to the Good
Friday public holiday.
Please join us again the week after for our final session of the term.
Voting Age Experiment Results
Reporter: Matt Holbrook
INTRO: Now. As voters around South Australia went to the polls last week, hundreds of 16 and 17
year old's were having their say as well. We told you all about it a few weeks back. But now, the
results of this unique experiment are in. Take a look.
These guys are just a few of the high schoolers who made their vote count as part of the recent
South Australian election. You won't have seen them at any official polling booth, and their votes
weren't counted towards any real tally, but they were taken very seriously.
They became part of a unique experiment by South Australia's Commissioner for Children and
Young People, to see how the views of 16 and 17-year olds could have shaped the election if they
were allowed to vote.
DAMIAN CREASER, COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SA: Just to have
a say, because so much of those policies are impacting their lives.
There's a very real push for young people aged over 16 to have the right to vote in the future.
Supporters of the idea say young people can pay taxes, so why shouldn't they have a say in how
those taxes are spent?
©ABC 2018
AUSTIN, STUDENT: We have clearly different values and morals to the generations that have
come before and I think that the way things are changing especially with technology and media
that our opinions on global issues are very different from our parents or our grandparents.
The South Australian election ended with the Liberal Party forming government, but how does that
compare to the youth vote? Well, there were some interesting results in the two electorates where
votes were held, Waite and Adelaide. In Waite, 47.3 per cent of first preference votes went to the
Liberal party. That's really similar to the official adult vote. But there was one big difference. Young
people voted in much bigger numbers for the Greens, than their adult counterparts did. More than
doubling their first preference tally.
In Adelaide, just 32 per cent voted for the Liberal member who actually went on to win, with more
than 47 per cent of first preferences. The Labor tally was fairly similar to real life, and again the
Greens received a much bigger chunk: 23 per cent.
Now the experiment is over, many of these guys are looking forward to the day they can make their
votes official.
OLIVER, STUDENT: It's very important because we are the future at the end of the day.
AUSTIN, STUDENT: I have very strong opinions on how I think society should operate.
LACHLAN, STUDENT: Maybe they should change it to 17 instead of 18, because I think 17-year
olds are mature enough to do it.
So who knows, if this momentum keeps building, you could have your voice heard much sooner
than you think.
Poll Results
And still on the subject, a few weeks ago we asked you if you think younger people should be
given the right to vote. Here's the final result.
Thanks for having your say.
Kids Contribute Promo
Have you shared your good deeds in the BTN Kids Contribute Survey yet?
You've got just over a week left after the Easter holidays. We'll crunch all the numbers to help tell
Australia just how valuable you guys really are. Thanks for getting involved.
Mars Class
Reporter: Amelia Moseley
INTRO: Next up. Have you ever wanted to go to Mars? Well one group of students is learning what
it takes from the comfort of their own school. Take a look.
©ABC 2018
NARRATOR: In a little less than ten minutes, you'll be leaving Earth. Your destination is the planet
Mars.
These high school students are about to become the first humans to set foot on the red planet!
NARRATOR The Mars Explorer has touched down on the planet Mars.
Well, kinda! They're transforming into astronauts complete with spacesuits, helmets,
communications systems and an all-important air supply and Mission Commander Kimberley has
been kind enough to take me along on this journey of discovery.
AMELIA So I'm turning into an astronaut right now? Exciting, my dreams coming true!
It's all part of Space School. Yes, Space School! Where students at this high school get to run their
own simulated mission to Mars.
AMELIA So what is your mission?
KIMBERLEY Well we all have different roles, but I think it all comes back to sort of finding if there
was life on Mars and seeing if we were eventually actually able to have humans there, so yeah.
AMELIA Ok, well we better get this going then! Let's do it, helmets on.
Into the air lock we go and out onto the surface! It's a copy of a crater on the red planet; complete
with soil, rocks and changes in atmosphere.
MICHAELA: So when you're in there it can start off as being really cold and you feel really light, but
then it can get really muggy and the lights change so they will be different lights on you all the time.
These intrepid explorers all have different roles including a physicist, chemist, geologist and the all-
important biologist.
KATRINA: The role of the biologist is just to find any organisms that might still be able to live on
mars through all of the magnetic fields and everything.
They have to carry out different tasks like collecting samples, measuring radiation and testing
acidity levels. They do it all with the help of Mission Control!
CHELSEA: My role is the mission director. I have to make sure no one dies when the mission's
going on!
Yup, keeping their simulated astronauts alive is obviously key. They track vital signs analyse data
and communicate directions.
ALANNA: The mission control room is like the ears and the eyes, so they need to have really good
communication skills, because obviously the astronauts need to have someone to talk to that's not
in the actual situation they're in, so you can think through clearly and make decisions.
They also learn a lot by completing some tricky diagnostics.
ALANNA: So the diagnostic questions are all different problems, so they can be problem solving,
or they can be maths or logical problems and they all apply to real life problems that you
experience on a mission to mars.
©ABC 2018
Sometimes things go wrong on purpose!
CHELSEA: There is a lightning storm about to happen!
MICHAELA: There are some storms, or sand storms or something will happen that means we have
to evacuate, so we have to get everything back to station before everything explodes.
So mission complete. But how'd they go with that whole finding alien life thing?
KATRINA: So, unfortunately this time we couldn't find any lifeforms, but maybe next time we'll be
able to when we run it again!
Either way, they say being a space school student is a really unique and inspiring experience.
CHELSEA: I think this is a great opportunity for girls to see what there is in the space industry.
CHELSEA It's so inspiring to think that one day maybe we'll be able to go to NASA and apply.
So, I guess the final question is - do these girls want to go to the real Mars one day?
CHELSEA: If we actually get to Mars it'll be like the best thing on planet Earth! Because we've
been to the moon and everyone was so excited, so to get to another planet will be very, very
awesome.
ALANNA: I think I would, but I certainly wouldn't go on the first mission, I'd want to make sure that
they would return!
Quiz
What is the lowest temperature recorded on Mars?
-197 C
-127 C
-7 C
The answer is: -127 C
Sport
The Aussie Cricket team is in big trouble in South Africa. They've been accused of cheating during
the latest match in their test series after Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to tamper with the
ball.
His actions are against the rules and the spirit of the game and he, along with Captain Steve Smith
and David Warner, have been punished for their part in allowing the scandal to happen. It's left a
lot of fans and former Aussie cricketers very disappointed.
Tune in next week for a full explanation about what happened and why it's such a big deal.
©ABC 2018
The Grand Final Match of the women’s AFL season saw the Western Bulldogs narrowly triumph
over the Brisbane Lions 27 - 21
The soggy conditions gave the Lions an early lead, but the Bulldogs soon got into their stride and
held on for a 6-point win. It's their first premiership in the women's comp.
PLAYER: We're a family, we bloody love each other. This means the world to us.
And in the NBL finals, the Adelaide 36ers have forced Melbourne United to a deciding game 5 after
winning at home on Sunday.
The 36ers dominated the score board early on but United weren't giving up easily, tightening the
score late in the game. But the 36ers held on to win 90 - 81.
This season's NBL champs will be decided when they meet for a fifth and final time on Saturday.
Easter Bilbies
Reporter: Amelia Moseley
INTRO: Finally today. You've probably already seen a lot of chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and
tasty bunnies in shops leading up to Easter. But did you know, there's an Easter symbol that's a
little more local - the bilby. I went to meet this vulnerable creature and found out how buying the
chocolate version can help the real thing.
It's that time of year again! When crosses appear on buns. Chocolate gets transformed into eggs
and a mysterious often giant bunny leaves them for people to find. Nothing unusual about that.
But here in Australia real, regular-sized bunnies are actually quite a problem. Rabbits are an
introduced species that like to eat crops and native plants. They reproduce really quickly and
compete with native animals for food and habitat. That's why some people reckon here in Australia
we could be celebrating Easter with another cute, fluffy mammal in mind, the bilby.
Bilbies are a native species which are believed to have lived in Australia for around 15 million
years. They were once found across 70 per cent of the country and there were originally two
species the greater bilby and the lesser bilby. But the lesser bilby is thought to have become
extinct in the early 1950s.
REPORTER: Nowadays, bilbies are listed as vulnerable with fewer than 10,000 of them left in the
wild. And guess what? Rabbits, are one of the reasons these little guys are struggling. Isn’t that
right Cora?
BILBY KEEPER, SA ZOO: Bilbies are vulnerable due to mainly introduced species such as foxes
and cats and sometimes a bit of competition with rabbits as well.
To help raise awareness of the troubles bilbies face, this chocolate company decided to try making
a chocolate Easter bilby back in the 1990s after a ranger suggested it. And it took off.
©ABC 2018
ALISTER HAIGH, HAIGH'S CHOCOLATES: When we brought the bilby in we didn't really know
how popular it would be but after a few years the bilby was outselling the rabbit so we just
discontinued the rabbit and became bilby only.
Since then, more than 800,000 chocolate Easter bilbies have rolled off the production line and part
of the money made from selling them goes towards helping bilby populations get back on their feet.
BILBY KEEPER, SA ZOO: The raising of the money from the chocolates, the bilby chocolates,
helps us with our breeding programs, the conservation side of things. We don't want them to
dwindle anymore `cause we have lost a lot of Australian wildlife due to people, introduced species.
So, it's quite important just to recognise that, especially around Easter. Just to promote them as
much as we can.
So, in the spirit of Easter, I thought I better do my bit for the bilby and enjoy two of my favourite
things; chocolate and cute animals. Just better not get those confused. Yup, that's the chocolate
one.
Closer
Mm, it was quite delicious! And that wraps us up for today. But we'd love to hear what you thought
about this week’s stories on our website.
Have a great Easter and I'll see you next week for more BTN.