The program involves collaborating with members of Armidale’s Aboriginal garden and the staff and students at the Karayuna Learning Centre. During 2017 students and staff from the centre would go out to the garden and complete some basic gardening maintenance. During 2018 the garden reestablished a committee and is going forward. The KLC is now collaborating again with the chairperson and is assisting with taking this initiative forward and assisting with the preparation, planting and harvesting of the garden.
It is hoped that the further involvement of the Karayuna Learning Centre will demonstrate engaged young teenagers with an increased responsibility and positive identity in the community. The vision is for the program to grow into a place where the students can learn and talk to Indigenous community people about their culture and belonging.
The program:
builds the health and well-being of students and make the community garden stronger,
allows students take pride and joy in telling the story of “their” involvement in the garden.
provides students the opportunity to know where their food comes from and understand the cultural aspect,
empowers our students by the tending and cultivation process
allows students to become a part of contributing to places of culture and well-being,
engages students and teachers to spend more time in an outdoor classroom space.
decreases racial discrimination and show that the students are contributing to their local community in a positive manner,
increases neighbourhood engagement, when others see the students working in the garden they may feel more inclined to come over and help and talk to the students,
Overall it is hoped that the whole experience strengths the students link to their community and give them a sense of ownership, belonging, connectedness, and safety. The students will be more connected to their schools and communities, understand their value and contribution, and increase their own skill sets and experience.