MCCARTHY, Gerry
ISBN 978-1-922722-74-4
PAPERBACK
Gus: the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon
Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeons were thought to be extinct however a small number were rediscovered several years ago and some were captured for breeding stock, which has led to several groups becoming involved in breeding programs.
Students can investigate native aquatic and land-based animals that rely on healthy wetlands, billabongs creeks and rivers.
How are billabongs and wetlands formed? What causes some animals to become extinct? How do introduced fish affect native fish species?
By reading the story of Gus, students can create a wetlands food web.
About the Author
Hooked on fishing from and early age, Gerry McCarthy and his dad Martin were regular hopefuls on all of Adelaide’s metropolitan jetties. Interestingly Gerry’s extensive teaching and educational leadership appointments were always situated close to water! In 2015 after forty-six years in educational settings, Gerry established his own teaching business Teachfishsa and South Australian schools took the bait.
Gerry’s passion for all things fish saw schools engage in STEM projects through aquaponics as well as fishing camps and fishing excursions. However, Gerry’s most recent focus as been to help save critically endangered native fish. The story of Gus the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon (a fish that until recently was thought to be extinct) is shared by Gerry and his illustrator niece Elise Fitzgerald in the hope that others will join the cause and help save fish like Gus.
About the Illustrator
Elise Fitzgerald is a Year 10 student at Mercedes College Adelaide and this is the first book Elise has illustrated. Elise has always loved art and in order to further develop her skills is taking on lessons outside of school. Elise has a preference for oil paintings and portraits.
When not producing outstanding art pieces, Elise spends a lot of time on her other passion gymnastics. Elise hopes to pursue illustrating and other creative avenues into the future.
