Current Projects

EON Edible Gardens

  • Djarindjin Lombadina Catholic School
  • Lombadina Community
  • Beagle Bay Sacred Heart School
  • One Arm Point School
  • Fitzroy Valley District High School
  • Looma
  • Nookanbah
  • Derby school for Mowanjum Community

Edible Garden Project

 

EON has enlisted the help of well - known horticulturist, Sabrina Hahn, to develop edible gardens in a number of remote communities in consultation with the community schools and community leaders. The edible gardens all include fruit and vegetables as well as bush tucker plant species. Sabrina is experienced in setting up these types of gardens.

 

The first garden at Lombadina/Djarindjin has been a great success. The community and the school have worked with EON and Sabrina to establish the garden with first crops produced in the 2008 dry season. Crops of peanuts were planted in the wet season and dry season crops have been planted and some already harvested for 2009. The work at Djarindjin Lombadina school continues.

 

The project has:

    • Enabled the community to have regular access to fresh fruit and vegetables
    • Increased indigenous children’s’ awareness and understanding of the role of fruit and vegetables in a healthy diet - which links well with the existing diabetes awareness program.
    • Encouraged children to reconnect with the land
    • Educated and involved the children and community members in the shared experience of growing, harvesting and preparing their homegrown food 

During 2009/10 gardens will be established and continue to receive assistance at Beagle Bay Sacred Heart School, Lombadina Community, One Arm Point and Fitzroy Valley Senior High School. Work will commence with the children in Derby from Mowanjum community and gardens will be established in Looma and Nookanbah.

Radio Talk Back - EON Edible Garden

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Background Information

Djarindjin/Lombadina Catholic School

The Djarindjin Lombadina Catholic School on the Dampier Peninsular, Kimberley, has about 90 Aboriginal children from Kindergarten to Year 10. The pupils suffer extensive disadvantage including health problems, disrupted education, and social instability.

Since 2005, EON has provided support to the school via its principal to provide additional educational and sporting opportunities for the children.
To date support has included :

  • Remedial Reading Resources to improve the poor literacy rates among Aboriginal children caused by absences and other social problems
  • Provision of basketball equipment to give children the opportunity to play their favourite game and increase their exercise regime
  • Funding for breakfasts for children to ensure that they are motivated to come to school in the morning and have a nutritious breakfast that will help them concentrate and learn during the school day
  • Printing of the annual School Year Book containing photographs and contributions from each child to engender a sense of achievement and pride in their school experience
  • Organised for West Coast Eagles Star David Wirrpunda to visit the community school for a BBQ and talk on the need for a healthy lifestyle and to offer a good role model for Aboriginal children.
  • Construction of the basketball court
  • Travel for six boys and their teacher to visit Perth in 2006 to play a social game of football with a Perth-based junior team to further their horizons and mix with non-Indigenous children. In 2007, eight girls from the school visited Perth for a similar experience.
  • Provision of the Centenary Art Prize
  • Discount school uniforms

“The trip was definitely an eye opener for the boys and has had a really positive influence on their schooling upon their return to the Community. The trip has been the talk of the Community and has led to a boost in self esteem of the boys involved.” Letter from teacher Brendan MacDonald to EON, September 2006.