ANGAIR’s 50th Nature Show held virtually

ANGLESEA, Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna’s (ANGAIR) volunteer’s dedication and innovation has ensured the Nature Show 2020 will run despite COVID-19.
ANGAIR was formed in 1969 and held its first Nature Show in 1970. The show has run every year since, although it seemed that would come to an end this year.
ANGAIR member Olivia Clarke said cancelling the nature show would have been a disappointing loss to the community.
“It has been a very big part of ANGAIR and the Anglesea community,” she said.
“It runs over two days and it’s full of indigenous flowers and other Australian flowers, and there’s lots of activities going on, there’s the selling of plants, activities for children, an art show, and a whole range of things.”
Many similar activities feature in the 2020 Nature Show but are simply delivered through a different medium.
Ms Clarke and her husband Bill were integral to the show making the virtual transition. Both have backgrounds in IT saw the opportunity for an online show.
Ms Clarke said when others realised this potential they wholeheartedly committed to the idea.
“It’s largely been the same people who have been involved in the old show. Once they realised what the possibilities, they pulled out all stocks and have been quite energised.”
Among the more imaginative ways the show has been digitally reincarnated is through its
guided walks.
Normally guides would take groups of people on walks to show and teach them about the local flora and fauna.
To adapt, ANGAIR has designed digital flipbooks for certain trails that people can view on their phones as they complete the walk.
ANGAIR also filmed some walks where a guide talks people through their chosen route.
The nature show includes a raft of content. Ms Clarke said much of it existed prior to this year’s show simply had not been on display.
“There’s been a lot of presentations and videos but often it’s been locked away on people’s computers and not really had a public airing.”
Furthermore, there will be content provided from outside ANGAIR.
Anglesea Primary School students will have their own art exhibition at the show, while the Wildlife Xposure is holding online webinars on local animals.
ANGAIR has received funding from the Surf Coast Shire Council and Bendigo Bank to help the group create the virtual show.
The show has also received support from other groups including the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning (DELWP), Bird Life Australia, Eco Logic, Barwon Water, Alcoa, Anglesea and District Historical Society, and Parks Victoria.
Ms Clarke said she was glad so many of the groups that have supported the regular show adapted to support the virtual show.
“Between us all I think we’ve managed to make a great leap in thinking how things can be done in this Covid-world,” she said.
“A lot of us at ANGAIR are retired, so being able to produce something like that from people in their seventies is not bad.”
The show will run until October 11, with content new content being added throughout its run.
To visit the Nature Show head to angair
natureshow.org.au.