Eon Edible Garden Locations
EON Edible Gardens
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Djarindjin-Lombadina Catholic School
In 2008, the first EON edible garden (EEG) project got underway at Djarindjin/Lombadina. While there has been lots of learning and problem-solving along the way, most plants have grown beautifully and many veggies and fruit have been harvested and eaten by the children and their families.
The benefits have been many. The children have a wonderful sense of pride and ownership of their vegie garden and the area surrounding it. They have a greater understanding of how to grow things. They are enjoying eating healthy fresh produce from the garden during play-lunch three days a week….and they are having lots of fun!
The success at Djarindjin/Lombadina during 2008 has lead EON to establishing new EEGs with the schools and communities at Beagle Bay, One Arm Point, Looma, Noonkanbah, Kadjina Wangkatjungka, Ngalapita and a community garden at Lombadina, as well as continuing the work at Djarindjin/Lombadina school.
Beagle Bay Sacred Heart School
In 2009, EON established an EEG at Beagle Bay on the land at Sacred Heart School. Similar to the large garden established at Djarindjin/Lombadina, construction of the fruit and vegetable garden began at the beginning of the school year, with the able assistance of the school gardener and EON’s Chris Cassidy. The first food harvested in mid-2009 and planting of all fruit trees and bush tucker completed in 2011.
One Arm Point
EON has provided extensive technical advice and practical support including seeds and fertilisers for the One Arm Point Community Garden. The school, with the help and advice of the Bardi Jawi Rangers on bush tucker, has rejuvenated its remnant garden into a showpiece. Teacher Richard Dowling has championed the project since inception and EON visits fortnightly to check on progress, help solve any problems and deliver EON Healthy Eating at the school and in the community.
Lombadina Community Garden
Following the success of the EEG at the Djarindjin/Lombadina Catholic School, in 2009 the community at Lombadina created its own edible garden to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for its families. EON continues to provide technical, logistical support and garden supplies. In 2011, the fruit grove was completed and the community’s gubinge plantation is well advanced.
Looma
The EON Edible Garden was established at the Looma Community School in late 2009. The school, which has about 115 students, has taken full advantage of the EEG and every class is timetables to use the garden at least once a week. EON’s Chris Cassidy visits fortnightly and Looma school gardener Stuie, principal Paul Eaglestone and all the teachers and children have made the EEG one of the success stories of the Kimberley. Food harvested from the garden is used by the canteen to make healthy, delicious meals for the pupils.
Noonkanbah
Noonkanbah is a remote community in the Fitzroy valley where its school, Kulkarriya Community School, has supported an EON Edible Garden since late 2009. With approximately 70 pupils, Noonkanbah is also a part of the UFPA’s wellness program. The conditions at Noonkanbah were extremely challenging but today, thanks to the hard work of school gardeners Bubbly and Richard, the stewardship of principals Luke and Nicole, it is the most productive EEG of them all.
Kadjina
Kadjina is a small community in a very remote part of the Fitzroy Valley. It has a community school, Wulungarra, with about 40 pupils, but no food store. Cut off for much of the year by the Fitzroy River, EON built at EEG at Kadjina in June 2010 under the guidance of Chris Cassidy. The growing, harvesting and cooking of the food, under EON’s Suzanne O’Connell’s tutelage, is a highlight of the school term.
Wangkatjungka
Discussions with Wangkatjungka school, in the Fitzroy Valley, began some time ago and although there were some false starts, a small EON Edible Garden has been established. EON is working to secure further funding to expand the EEG and EON Thriving Communities program at Wangkatjungka in 2012.
Ngalapita
In late 2011, EON provided preliminary assistance to the school at Nglapita, near Kadjina in the Fitzroy Valley, and subject to securing further funding will expand and deliver the full program from 2012.
