Loretta Thaiday (Darnley Island), Katori O'Keefe (Doomadgee), Shakwarsha Smith (Wujal Wujal)
A new program at NRL Cowboys House is strengthening students' cultural knowledge through bush tucker education and language revitalisation.
Years seven and eight students are learning how to grow their own fruit, vegetables and traditional bush tucker through the innovative Paddock to Plate program, proudly delivered by Waanyi Shamrock United (WSU Civil).
Years seven and eight students are learning how to grow their own fruit, vegetables and traditional bush tucker through the innovative Paddock to Plate program, proudly delivered by Waanyi Shamrock United (WSU Civil).
WSU Civil is an Aboriginal-controlled civil construction firm with strong ties to North Queensland, bringing together Shamrock Civil Engineering and WAC Projects Pty Ltd, the commercial arm of Waanyi Aboriginal Corporation.
“Growing your own food is a basic survival skill that every person should have the opportunity to learn,” said WSU Civil General Manager Brad Foster.
“When young Aboriginal people spend much of their lives in urban areas, they can miss out on learning skills that build confidence, resilience, and a deep sense of cultural pride. This program reconnects them with traditional knowledge and practical horticultural skills,” he said.
Through this dual focus on culture and cultivation, students will learn:
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Garden design and maintenance
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Bush tucker identification and cultivation
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Natural pest deterrents and harvesting techniques
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Basic Waanyi language, including kinship terms, everyday words, and simple sentence construction, delivered by respected Waanyi linguist Mary Laughren.
Building on the success of last year's bush tucker education initiative at the House, WSU Civil has expanded the program to include a dedicated Waanyi Language Program alongside horticultural skills development.
The program aims to preserve, maintain, and revive the Waanyi language, a vital part of community identity and cultural heritage.
The program aims to preserve, maintain, and revive the Waanyi language, a vital part of community identity and cultural heritage.
The inclusion of the Waanyi Language Program reflects a long-term vision to introduce Waanyi language into the Doomadgee State School curriculum by 2027, ensuring the language continues to be passed down to future generations.Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said the program reflects theFoundation’s commitment to helping young people maintain cultural connections while pursuing educational and employment opportunities.
“Our young people have had to leave their homes to access schooling in Townsville and it's vital they retain their cultural identity and connections to where they come from,” Fiona said.
“This program strengthens cultural knowledge through bush tucker education and language revitalisation, while also opening doors to potential careers in horticulture, conservation, and community leadership. Importantly, students will also enjoy the tangible rewards of their efforts, with fresh produce helping to supply the House kitchen.”
NRL Cowboys House, managed by Cowboys Community Foundation, is a unique, culturally safe boarding facility, removing distance as a barrier to education for Indigenous students from remote Queensland communities. Learn more: HERE
