Anastasia Vickers, a Ngadjuri Woman,Western Sydney University student and native garden consultant (left) with Blaxland High School students Reggie (middle) and Izzy (right) who helped plant some of the native species.
Story and photos by Ben Skinner
Led by First Nations students and community, Blaxland High School has established a native food garden and students are using crops grown in the garden as ingredients in food technology classes. The school received injections of expertise from many quarters, including an Aboriginal-owned social enterprise, to learn about and embrace the use of native plants for cooking and sustainability.
Key Points:
Blaxland High has introduced a native food garden on the school grounds.
The ingredients from the crops are used in food technology classes.
It took a collaborative effort from the school, consultants such as Anastasia Vickers from Western Sydney University, Food Futures and EM-power Foundation to make this happen.
Only a stone’s throw from the food tech classrooms at Blaxland High, a collection of native plants are ready to pick. Students harvest the traditional ingredients and add them to their dishes. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
The native food garden program was embraced by school principal Emma Le Marquand and supervised by Anastasia Vickers, a student at Western Sydney University who is completing an Advanced Bachelor of Food Science. With assistance from Aboriginal-owned social enterprise Bush to Bowl and Food Futures Company, dozens of native species were planted in various locations around the school.
One of the areas where the native crops were planted within the school, using previously under-utilised garden beds.
Over 30 students were involved in planting on the day in March 2024, with local Aboriginal elders in attendance.
Signs providing information about the native plants were made by the school’s industrial technology department and guided by First Nations Food Companion, a book by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan.
The program made use of the previously under-utilised garden beds that were constructed in years past. Native plants included “Goongum” (plum pine), “Panaryle” (River Mint), Warrigal (like Spinach) and Tyulern (saltbush). (NB. Native plant names vary depending on whose Country they’re on.)
Some of the native plant species with associated signs made by Blaxland High School industrial technology department.These traditional plant names have been researched and collated from First Nations authors and online resources.
It appeared to be a great learning experience for all involved.
Anastasia says the program inspired students to make a real change in the world.
“Native foods have relevance across any career the students are interested in,” she says. “Community members and students had the opportunity to learn together, led by Culture in a genuine way.”
Food technology teacher Megan Backers says you often have to adjust your techniques when cooking native ingredients compared to working with the produce bought in supermarkets.
School principal Emma Le Marquand collaborated with the Food Futures Company and EM-power Foundation who led the native garden program.
“This invaluable program has provided students with hands-on, real-world experience in a range of curriculum areas as well as developing the confidence and knowledge of our committed teaching staff,” says Principal Le Marquand.
The plants are often very powerful flavour-wise: a nibble of native thyme is reminiscent of some toothpastes, while rubbing together native citrus leaves brings out a potent aroma.
Principal Le Marquand mentioned that it’s important for students to learn about our natural heritage to understand how to live sustainably. Native crops tend to be hardier than crops originating from other countries too.
Previously unused areas within the school are now productive native food gardens.
The gardens are maintained about once per week, requiring some weeding. Mulch will help with reducing that workload.
None of the learnings about the native plants came from the NSW Department of Education syllabus. It was a collaborative effort from the parties involved to figure out how best to deliver the program.
The native garden is just the first step in a long-term learning experience about how to incorporate native ingredients across the curriculum.
Teacher Megan Backers welcomes the move for new First Nations-related units to be introduced in the 2026 food tech syllabus. Ingredients are already being used in recipes and will also be used in STEM/Science-related experiments.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Lower Mountains and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging as we live, work and play on Dharug and Gundungurra Country (Ngurra).
Take Action:
Check out the First Nations Food Companion book by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan which proved very useful to the school in providing information on native plants.
Experiment with native crops in your garden like Blaxland High has done. Visit local native nurseries which supply them.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
@mark_greenhill_oam, Mayor of the City of Blue Mountains, welcomed participants to the Forum: Ban the Bomb, Sign the Treaty at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium. As a signatory of Mayors for Peace he spoke of the urgency to act to prevent nuclear war and to end the genocide in Gaza.
The Peace Symposium was organised to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
You can watch our full playlist of videos for Making Peace on our YouTube channel (link in profile): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kODwpPinQx4&list=PLBu_QF9Pp5hPoaLWW0ZLHhwS6hPd-x-Rl
View Ecopella`s rousing anthem `You`re Needed Now!` They performed it at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium on the eve of the March for Humanity and the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Contact them if you`re interested in joining the choir which has branches around Eastern NSW.
If you`d like to hear the other presentations at the Symposium visit the Planetary Health YouTube channel (link in profile)
Renowned Permaculture teacher and Katoomba resident Rowe Morrow has been a Quaker for 40 years. She spoke at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium about the extraordinary work Quakers have done, and are doing, for Peace, and the strategies they`ve developed: from working to abolish slavery, to being instrumental in starting Oxfam and Amnesty International, to training communities in non-violent communication and conflict resolution, conscientious objection, direct action, divestment strategies and more. You can listen to her discuss these in her presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kODwpPinQx4&t=5s
This week President Trump gave an order for two nuclear submarines to proceed towards Russia. This act was the starting point of Robert Tickner`s talk at the Forum: Ban the Bomb, Sign the Treaty in the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium yesterday.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and, as ICAN Ambassador, Robert Tickner helped launch ICAN`s Week of Action for Abolition at the Symposium. You can listen to his full talk in the video below or view it on YouTube via link in profile:
Despite the very challenging weather for the Peace Symposium yesterday we also enjoyed an indoor `Community Picnic` with delicious food, origami crane and badge making workshops, a book stall by RoseyRavelston books, and wonderful performances by Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies Community Choir. The venue was dotted with historical posters reflecting a long history of the Blue Mountains taking a stand against war and nuclear weapons and we were thrilled to hear during the Symposium that the Supreme Court had authorised the March for Humanity today.
A huge thank you to the @bm_peace_collective, the speakers, very engaged participants, performers, volunteers and staff who helped make the inaugural Blue Mountains Peace Symposium such a success yesterday! We heard from CEO Dr Rosemary Dillon, Dharug man Chris Tobin, journalist and teacher Harumi Hayakawa, Rotarian Jennifer Scott, Quaker Rowe Morrow, artist Matilda Emmerich, Peace Collective members Bruce Cornwall and Catherine Dobbie, Mayor Mark Greenhill, MC Nick Franklin, ICAN Ambassador Robert Tickner, Indonesian ambassador Siswo Pramono, Federal Member Susan Templeman MP and members of the audience. If you`d like to get involved and receive information about future events you can subscribe to receive our newsletter via the Planetary Health website here (link in profile): https://www.bluemountainsplanetaryhealth.com.au/
The Blue Mountains Peace Symposium kicks off at 10am today at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Course). Lots of dry cosy warm events! View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium...
Warm your heart, mind and body at the Peace Symposium this Saturday. Support local businesses when you grab a steaming hot Roasters with Altitude coffee, and sample delicious plant-based foods from Bibi’s Kitchen, 1Two1 Cafe, Good Fat Pastry and Whisk & Pin. We’re kicking off with free Tai Chi & Quigong at 8am, talks and community forums on peace from 10-4pm, art for peace, and the indoor ‘community picnic’ from 12.30 with Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies Community Choir, origami crane and badge making, and a RoseyRavelston book stall! The Symposium is being held at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Club) View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
This Saturday the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium will start at 10am with powerful and moving presentations by Dharug man Chris Tobin and Japanese journalist and teacher Harumi Hayakawa. Join Harumi over lunch to make origami cranes for peace, hope and healing in memory of Sadako Sasaki. "At just two years old, she was exposed to radiation in Hiroshima. At twelve, she developed leukaemia. While in hospital, she heard the legend: if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, your wish will come true. Her wish was to recover. She folded cranes with hope and determination—but sadly, she passed away at just twelve. Her story touched hearts around the world, and the paper crane has since become a global symbol of peace." (Harumi Hayakawa) The Symposium is being held at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Club) View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re setting up lots of cosy warm indoor spaces for the Peace Symposium and `Community Picnic` this Sat 2nd August and we`re thrilled that RosyRavelston Books will be there with their `books that change the world`! The Blue Mountains Peace Collective presented them with this poster designed by Melbourne-based Japanese artist Hiroyasu Tsuri, also known as TWOONE@t_w_o_o_n_e. @ican_australia commissioned this artwork to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and the first nuclear test on First Nations land in New Mexico, USA, in 1945. It depicts symbols of peace and survival in the wake of nuclear devastation. View the full program for the Symposium and book your tickets here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Sixteen-year-old HART Youth Ambassador, Matilda Emmerich will be displaying her oil painting and poem “Where Hope Sits" and discussing her experience of having it banned at 11.30am this Saturday 2nd August at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Artwork and poem can be seen here: https://www.hartyouth.com/art
Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Rotarians from throughout the District gathered at the Planetary Health Centre on Sunday to launch Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and its first fundraising campaign to purchase Rooming-in Cribs for Blue Mountains Hospital. Bringing together the expertise and resources of the former Blackheath, Katoomba and Central Blue Mountains Clubs, this exciting new collaboration reflects Rotary International’s theme for 2025-26: “Unite for Good”. The Planetary Health Centre has been collaborating with Rotary to deliver our monthly Skill Share program, and Rotarian Jennifer Scott AM will speak about Rotary’s international work for people, planet and peace at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium next Saturday 2nd August. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
For more information about Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and how you can get involved email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
Blue Mountains City Council’s Planetary Health Initiative is working in collaboration with the Mountains Community Resource Network, Lithgow City Council, Western Sydney University’s Lithgow Transformation Hub, and the Sustainability Workshop, to establish this communications platform on behalf of the community. It is supported by a grant from the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Julie Nance invited her 82-year-old mum to join her on outings in Lower Mountains parks, after months of being confined to home due to sickness. With fond memories of family picnics growing up, their quality time together in nature gave them both a much-needed lift.
