News

Bungwahl PS winner in World Environment Day Awards 2011

The award was accepted in Melbourne by Nikki Dixon, the Bungwahl PS Kitchen and Garden Specialist, Lee-Ann Bramble, P&C President and former student, and star volunteer Karen King who initially came to the school on a placement through an employment service and has donated two days of her time every week ever since.

Bungwahl PS entered the Kitchen Garden Program in 2008, after the school lost funding they had received under the National Partnerships Program. Principal Sue Hobbs acknowledged that 'the first time we read over the commitment needed by the school and the scale of the Program I will admit we as a staff were sceptical. There was a lot of discussion, lots of too-ing and fro-ing but in the end we agreed to have a go!' Sue said that 'for something like this to work you have to have the right people in the right jobs - Nikki is a special lady with a great passion but also great knowledge of connecting the garden and the kitchen and engaging the students at all levels.'

P&C President Lee-Ann Bramble acknowledged the fantastic body of parents, grandparents and community members who have assisted the school and praised the positivity and open-mindedness of the school staff. She said that the local community really values that 'the kitchen and garden provide a more hands-on approach to lessons while covering all key learning areas, and allows all students to achieve and develop life skills as well as academic skills.'

Volunteer Karen King loves the children's 'enthusiasm, commitment and joy' and is 'chuffed that Fridays are their favourite day because they get to cook and garden'. Specialist Nikki Dixon says, 'It's the children that keep me inspired, knowing that I am making a difference in their world, and just the pure joy I get from seeing their passion grow for real wholesome foods and learning sustainable living skills. They love to garden and cook.' When we asked Nikki what she would say to someone thinking of getting involved she replied, 'First of all I'd say you can't have my job! I love it too much ... but it's just the most rewarding experience you could ever imagine. All of our children are absolutely beautiful and a joy to be around.'

The Kitchen Garden Program at Bungwahl continues to grow and develop, in the words of Principal Sue 'to extend the garden more to encompass the whole school'. Local Worimi people Steve Brereton and Mandy Davis are helping to incorporate an understanding of local Aboriginal stories, their traditions, their art and their foods into the Program and a bush tucker garden has been designed and planted out by the students.

The Kitchen Garden Program philosophy is creeping in everywhere - the school's water tanks have been painted to depict kitchen garden themes and even the 'don't run' signs have been replaced by a red gumboot symbol!

Congratulations on a well-deserved award, to everyone in the Bungwahl PS community.

More information about the awards is available on the UNAA website.