Blackalls Park Preschool embraces First Nations culture through Bush Tucker Garden

Children attending Blackalls Park Preschool will have a deeper connection to the culture and heritage of First Nations people thanks to a newly established Bush Tucker Reconciliation Garden.

Built thanks to a Community Environment grant, the garden has been made with the intention of fostering an understanding of the importance of place and connection for children, Blackalls Park Preschool Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer Kristelle Manderson and Bundjalung woman explained. 

“We’re so excited to be able to add this new addition to our preschool,” she said.

“It’ll teach children about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their use of bush foods and native plants. It will also protect our preschool wildlife by using native plants that support our native bee population.”

The preschool was one of five organisations to be successful in the most recent round of the Community Environment Grants program, Lake Macquarie City Council Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Chris Harle shared.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-initiated projects which improve the Council’s local environment and inspire environmentally sustainable behaviour throughout the city.

Other grant applicants will use their funding for water tanks, worm farms, gardens and a new waste system to ensure batteries, globes and food waste don’t reach landfill.

Since 2002, Council’s Community Environment Grants have supported 305 projects across the city. Applications for the next round of funding open Monday 27 February 2023. 

For more information, please visit the Council’s website.