Last Thursday children attending Singleton Council’s Out of School Hours Care (OOSHC) Vacation Care program got a unique insight into our local indigenous heritage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This experience included a visit to Baime Cave guided by local elder Warren Taggart and Keven Lomax introduced them to the bush tucker section at the community garden.
Made possible through funding from Glencore, the ‘Singleton’s Indigenous Heritage – A Youth Experience’ project aimed to connect local children with the indigenous community by discussing and learning about indigenous culture directly from elders.
Council’s Director Planning and Sustainable Environment, Mark Ihlein, said the children were also treated to a performance by Uncle Perry, an Aboriginal Education Officer from Kotara School, to teach them about the many different facets of Aboriginal life and culture, including language, music and dance.
“It is important that children are provided with the opportunity to connect with country by learning about local indigenous customs and language, which many never have an opportunity to do,” he said.
Singleton community garden, president Kevin Lomax said it was wonderful to see the children so engaged with the plants.
“The learning facility at the Community Garden enables participants to experience nature up close through seeing, feeling and smelling the bush tucker plants,” he said.
“We are very appreciative of the funding and support provided by Glencore to enable this event to be held; to the Singleton Men’s Shed who provided catering on the day; and Mark from Anvil Buses who transported everyone to and from the event safely.”