Project Profile

Summary

Swan View Senior High School (SVSHS) were the recipients of a Coles Junior Landcare garden grant which enabled them to set up their “Yarning Place” garden by installing nine garden beds with numerous indigenous plants, drip irrigation and mulch.

The Yarning Place is a native indigenous bush food and medicine garden and is a place for environmental and cultural education. Students have become more aware of and involved with their surroundings, taking ownership of the area and building an understanding of indigenous plants.

Year 10 Students from SVSHS designed and produced a water wise Indigenous bush food garden. Students researched the indigenous bush foods from the Darling Range region and planted them in the Yarning Place gardens. The project has enabled students to develop a greater understanding of traditional Noongar foods, seasons, medicines and animals. Educating the students about their cultural identity builds pride, self-worth and develops team building skills.

As well as planting, students installed a drip irrigation system, paving, weed management and mulching throughout the garden. This gave the participants a greater understanding of water conservation, caring for and identifying native plants that are drought tolerant and how being environmentally conscious can benefit the local environment. The future plans for the yarning place include installing a gazebo, sculpture art of native animals and public art.

Building community partnerships has been a major feature of the Yarning Place project and it is used as an interactive outdoor education space for the school students and local community. The 2012 students group have worked together in forming the first ACCESS Program Leadership council. The students have learned governance protocols to formally organise with Mr Elvis Yarran to be the community representative. Students will have the opportunity to attend various leadership courses throughout the year. Dr Caroline Baillie (Guest Speaker from International Women’s Day) visited the school in April to discuss with students the Engineering in Society and Waste for Life Program in the context of the Gathering (Yarning) Place project development.