Meldanda
Meldanda – Where students learn to care for Country, community and the future.
Meldanda is a special place for our school community — a living classroom where students learn what it means to care for people, place and the future.
The land was generously bequeathed to the children of Cambrai in 1991 by the late Mr Les Weiss — a gift that continues to shape learning for generations.
Located just outside Cambrai, this 100-acre property sits within the Marne Valley and forms part of the Marne River catchment. Once used for farming, the land is now being carefully restored through a long-standing partnership with Mid Murray Landcare. Today, Meldanda is a place of regeneration, learning and deep connection.
At Cambrai Primary School and Preschool, Meldanda brings our Kanyini values to life — belonging, responsibility and connection to Country.
Learning Through Kanyini
At Meldanda, learning happens through experience.
Students spend time outdoors exploring, observing and working together to understand their local environment. Through hands-on projects such as revegetation, habitat creation and environmental monitoring, students develop a strong sense of stewardship and pride in caring for the land.
Through this work, students develop:
- Responsibility to act
- Confidence and teamwork
- Problem-solving and inquiry skills
- A lifelong respect for the natural world
Our Environmental Leaders play an important role in guiding activities and sharing their knowledge with younger students and visitors, developing leadership through service.
Learning From Country
We acknowledge that Meldanda is located on the traditional lands of the Peramangk people and respect their continuing connection to land, water and culture.
Meldanda provides opportunities for students to learn on and from Country. Through place-based learning, students develop an understanding that this land has been cared for by Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years.
Learning at Meldanda supports:
- Respect for the cultural significance of land and water
- Understanding of local ecosystems and seasonal change
- Curiosity about history, culture and connection to place
This work supports our commitment to growing cultural capability and deep respect for the knowledge held within Country.
A Place for the Community
Meldanda is a shared community space that reflects the strong partnership between our school and the wider Marne Valley.
The site is used for:
- School camps and outdoor learning days
- Community working bees and environmental projects
- Local events and group visits
- Dark Sky experiences and night-time learning
With camping areas, activity equipment and a Dark Sky Observation Point, Meldanda offers a unique opportunity for schools, community groups and organisations to connect with nature and each other.
Under the Dark Sky
Meldanda sits within the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve — Australia’s first Dark Sky Reserve and one of only a small number of protected Dark Sky places in the world.
Here, students and visitors experience something increasingly rare — true darkness. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches across the sky and constellations shine with remarkable clarity. With darkness levels measured at almost complete natural darkness, Meldanda offers night skies darker than many accredited locations around the world.
Astronomy groups regularly visit to observe the galaxy, and our students have the unique opportunity to learn beneath a sky that inspires curiosity, wonder and a sense of perspective about our place in the universe.
For many children, this is their first experience of a truly dark night — and it is often unforgettable.
Restoring the Marne Landscape
The Marne River system faces significant environmental challenges. Through our partnership with Mid Murray Landcare and relationship with LandscapeSA, students are actively involved in restoration work that contributes to the long-term health of the local landscape.
By participating in this work, students see that their actions matter — and that even small communities can make a meaningful difference.
The River Marne winds through Meldanda — sometimes flowing, sometimes quiet — reflecting the challenges of life in a dry landscape.
When water returns, the river comes alive with frogs, birds and other wildlife. Even during dry periods, the surrounding landscape continues to support a rich ecosystem, including vulnerable plant species and important habitat for native animals.
The Marne tells an important story for our students — about balance, scarcity and the relationship between people and the environment. Through their work at Meldanda, students learn that caring for water, land and habitat is both a responsibility and a hope for the future.
Why Meldanda Matters
Meldanda is more than a camp or excursion destination.
It is where our students learn to:
- Belong to their community and environment
- Care for Country and each other
- Take responsibility for the future
- Develop resilience, independence and leadership
Most importantly, it is a place where learning feels real, purposeful and connected to the beautiful world around them.
At Meldanda, students don’t just learn about the world — they learn that they belong to it.
Bookings and Enquiries
Meldanda is available for school and community group bookings. Activity boxes and risk assessments are available to support visiting school groups.
For enquiries or to discuss availability, please book directly on the Meldanda website.
