Join this Bush Tucker Garden to Plate Workshop in the Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden run by Auntie Jo Russell. The Westmeadows Indigenous Food and Fibre Garden project began in 2020 when Jo, a proud Wiradjuri woman, joined the Hume Enviro Champions training program. In this workshop, Jo will demonstrate how to take freshly harvested veg from your garden into your kitchen. Come along and learn how to prepare some delicious bush tucker!
Auntie Jo Russell
Jo had a dream of an Indigenous garden where she could share her cultural knowledge and skills with the community. After partnering with Council’s Gardens for Wildlife program, the first planting was held in 2021, with subsequent planting in 2022 and 2023.
The garden continues to grow, providing an important link between traditional Indigenous cultural uses of native plants as food and fibre resources and the wider community. Many local schools and kindergartens have taken part in activities and workshops at the garden.
Auntie Jo also regularly runs Bush Tucker Walks and Talks at a variety of locations across Hume, which develop engagement in native Australian plants and their traditional cultural uses.
Why Attend?
We want to show you that we are listening. During our recent Food Forum, we discovered that you want more education about healthy food choices and fair access to nutritious food sources. We also know that the cost of living is putting significant strain on many across our community and through the Let's Grow Hume project, we want to help you keep healthy food on your plate at home, despite increased costs of fresh, healthy food from the shops. Previously you've told us that these types of programs help you feel connected and engaged with your community, and you enjoy meeting like-minded people.
And if you aren't quite ready to register - it gets better. By attending this workshop you can also register to go in the draw to win a ‘Ready to Grow’ kit, so that you have everything you need to continue your edible gardening journey at home. We are so excited to show you how you can grow beautiful fresh produce at home without any garden space at all.
Need a ride? We can get you there!
We have booked a bus to take attendees from Banksia Gardens Community Centre to the Community Garden. Registrations for a spot on the bus are essential as it will fill up! Finer details:
Pick up and drop off location: PTV bus stop at the front of the Centre; 71 - 81 Pearcedale Parade Broadmeadows
Departure time: The bus will depart Banksia Gardens at 9:30am sharp to ensure the workshop commences on time at 10:00am.
Return time: The bus will leave the Community Garden and return back to Banksia Gardens by 1:00pm.
*children under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
What to bring to the workshop
- Water bottle
- Closed toe shoes
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- All conditions clothing - we will go ahead rain, hail or shine!
Children are encouraged to come along but must have a legal guardian to accompany them. Please make sure you register each individual who will be attending.
Come along for your chance to win a Ready to Grow Kit! (pictured below)
The kit includes:
- Vegepod starter pack (includes raised Vegepod garden bed shown in image below, seeds, and perlite)
- Pack of hand tools
- Potting mix
- Gardening gloves
- 12-month subscription to Grow it Local
- Mini Greenhouse to start your seeds