SCEINCE teacher John Duivestein describes Cowell as a “quaint little backwater with a beautiful harbour”.
“It never ceases to amaze me how fortunate the town is to have such a natural harbour,” he says.
It’s an apt description of the rural community, nearly 500km northwest of Adelaide. It was Franklin Harbour that likely saved the town from demise nearly two decades ago as the drought worsened and sheep and grain farmers suffered.
Residents turned to other industries to sustain their families. Aquaculture, particularly oyster farming, helped change Cowell from a dying town to one that is prospering. Oyster leases that the local council once issued for $10 are now worth millions, Duivestein says. Real estate has skyrocketed in value and the opening of an iron-ore mine 50km away, plus another mine due to open 70km from town, has brought further employment.
Cowell Area School has been playing a pivotal role in this revitalisation after a group of local oyster growers approached the school in 1991 and asked them to introduce a course to prepare students to work in the industry.
The two-year aquaculture program, launched in 1993, has picked up numerous education awards over the years, but the school is now looking to revitalise it after a slump in interest.
Students will still graduate with a Certificate II in seafood operations and maritime studies, but principal Jan Potter says the revamped program will be academically rigorous, with a strong science, innovation and conservation focus. The school is also working to establish a marine centre to run alongside the aquaculture program, and is making links with other subject areas, as well as introducing sustainable technologies and veggie gardens.
“What we’re doing has been an absolute joy, but it’s been exhausting,” says Potter, who has recently taken helm of the reception to Year 12 school.
As Duivestein explains, the focus on sustainable aquaculture will include raising local fish species in tanks that include flora and fauna from the natural environment. “It’s a nice place for the fish to be rather than a barren tank,” he says. “Not only should [students] learn about growing these oysters and other commercial species, but also to manage the environment.”
The school’s new oyster farm manager Mark Churchett, a former student, says raising the oysters from ‘spat’ (infant stage) will revamp the school program and help local farmers.
“A lot of the industry are having trouble finding and keeping workers. If you can help the kids out by getting them the [required certificates], so the employer doesn’t have to pay for it, they’re a lot more employable.”
The school is also working to upskill students interested in working in the mining industry by launching a metal fabrication course. Meeting the community’s needs is essential, Potter says. “It’s absolutely critical in small towns. You do need to be able to work out how you can help each other.”
Duivestein, meanwhile, knows the town is lucky. “Even in my seven years here, students have left and so many have returned because they like it here. It’s very good living here and the town is growing. It’s an exceptional town, I suppose,” he says.
The town, residents might say, is also lucky to have the school.
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