On Wednesday the sculpture, which the TAC is using in its latest road safety campaign to depict a body capable of withstanding a car crash, became a tool for local school students learning the German words for body parts.

The lesson was part of yesterday’s German Day, where over 200 students from local schools came together at the Bendigo Art Gallery to learn about Germany’s language and culture.

Now in its second year, co-organiser Felicity Woodward said German Day was bigger than ever.

“It’s really showing in the number of students continuing with German. German is a growing language in our region,” she said.

Year 12 Bendigo Senior Secondary student Marcus Ryan helped organise activities for German Day.

He and his classmates put together a German-language treasure hunt younger students.

“I started learning a language in year seven at Bendigo South East Secondary,” he said.

“I chose German because I’m a huge soccer fan and I admired the country’s team.

“I really think being bilingual is a great attribute in the 21^st century because of the way the world is connecting.”

In 2010 Marcus went to Germany on a study exchange. He said it was a great way to learn about another culture.

“There’s certainly a lot of intolerance out there in the world these days. But German Day is an opportunity to open people’s minds to other cultures,” he said.

German Day began with poetry, singing and dance performances by students from BSSC, Bendigo South East Secondary College, Crusoe College, Spring Gully Primary School and East Loddon P-12 College.

After the performances students dived into hands-on activities.

As well as treasure hunts, students learnt about the gallery’s collection in German and visited buildings made by central European immigrants like William Vahland.

Mrs Woodward said hanging lanterns was an important part of St Martin’s Day, a popular German religious event held every November 11.

“They have tealights in them, so hopefully they will look nice tonight when they are lit up. Hopefully the children will return then and admire them,” she said.

The German Day program was organised by the Calder Regional Network of the Association of German Teachers of Victoria and supported by the Bendigo Art Gallery.