Participants in the garinga djimbayang’s – Growing Traditional Foods on Gunaikurnai Country (Wurruk) Project gathered at Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Head Office, Kalimna West recently to celebrate the completion of the agriculture program and receive their certificates.
The program is delivered in partnership with GLaWAC, Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place and TAFE Gippsland.
Students who had previously attended Certificate II in Horticulture participated in the program and attended the graduation ceremony on Tuesday 11 August. A total of 26 participants enrolled in the program throughout the year, with all participants receiving a Participation Certificate recognising their engagement and attendance.
“Our project is a pilot program and is the first Traditional Owner Corporation led TAFE course in Victoria,” said GLaWAC Project Lead garinga Sam Monks.
“It was specifically designed to strengthen self-determination, increase leadership and participation of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community in the bush foods industry. Training was held onsite at our Wulgunggo Ngalu Bush Foods Nursery at Macks Creek.”
TAFE Gippsland Program Coordinator Sharon Walker said the program provided participants with valuable practical horticulture skills while connecting them with culture, Country and community.
“From growing bush foods to understanding healthy soils and plant propagation, participants developed practical skills throughout the program that they can take into further education or employment,” Sharon said.
“It’s also a great opportunity to build relationships and create connections to community. Participants learn in a variety of ways and in different environments. For example, they took part in a cultural walk and talk at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, where they explored bush tucker, cultural sites and Native Title.”
TAFE Gippsland CEO James Montgomery attended the graduation and said the program reflected TAFE Gippsland’s commitment to working with and supporting Gippsland’s First Nations communities.
“We’re proud to work with GLaWAC on this program and bring First Nations knowledge and practices into training. We look forward to many more participants coming through the program and receiving their certification,” Mr Montgomery said.
L-R: Berwyn Lampitt (Program Manager WNLP), Sharon Walker (Coordinator, garinga djimbayang, TAFE Gippsland), Justin Kerhaghan (Participant), Jo Wilson (Manager Koorie Programs/ Koorie Support, TAFE Gippsland), Jediaha Cam (Participant), Micah Wright (Participant), Christopher Morris (Supervisor WNLP), Sam Monks (GLaWAC Project Lead garinga djimbayang), Joseph Wandin (Supervisor WNLP), Jake Atkinson (GLaWAC Participant), Allan McDevitt (Participant), Michael Atkinson (GLaWAC Participant), Michael Welsh-Dalton (GLaWAC employee), Jared Browne (GLaWAC Participant), Shaun Braybrook (General Manager WNLP)