First Nations Food Gardens Session

On 19 June, our Health Promotion Team hosted an educational session on First Nations Food Gardens for early childhood settings at the Casey Aboriginal Gathering Place. This initiative aims to introduce children to native plants, their uses, and the traditional practices of Aboriginal people in caring for the land.  

The session was developed and delivered in partnership with our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, who has a strong background in horticulture, providing invaluable knowledge and insights. The session attracted 58 participants from early years settings, covering topics such as the benefits of establishing a First Nations Food Garden and incorporating First Nations foods into meals and recipes. 

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of attendees reporting they learned something new, 100% stating their knowledge of First Nations foods and gardens increased, and 97% feeling more confident in setting up a First Nations food garden. One participant remarked, “It was a great session. Full of new knowledge.” Others expressed intentions to visit local nurseries for First Nations seeds and introduce these foods into their services. 

Door prizes included native edible plants from a First Nations-owned nursery. Participants also enjoyed tasting native foods such as lemon myrtle and wattle seed scones, along with native teas. 

We, Monash Health, acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, the Bunurong/Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, and pays respect to their culture and Elders. We also recognise First Nations people as the custodians of knowledge on First Nations foods.