Celebrating NAIDOC with bushfood-inspired goodness

Saltbush baked potatoes, bush tomato chutney, coleslaw with lemon myrtle mayo, seasonal garden salad and tangy tomato ketchup made with reduced sugar and salt were the fun, innovative additions to a major sausage sizzle in Maryborough this week! 

This incredible partnership and concept, initiated by Ciel Lindley the Healthy Kids Advisor for the Central Goldfields Shire, occurred at Maryborough Education Centre as part of their NAIDOC celebrations. Neighbouring schools and the community were invited to the BBQ with free activities, including a Smoking Ceremony and clinics run by Netball Victoria and the AFL.

Ciel has been working with Maryborough Education Centre, catering to approximately 1000 children and young people, to create an abundant, nurturing and sustainable holistic food system at the school. Collaborating alongside David Sutton, their enthusiastic Principal, and the school canteen staff, Ciel has been introducing neat tricks to boost the current menu, such as lettuce in the free ham and cheese rolls and a generous grate of spinach and zucchini in the muffins, pasta and potato dishes. 

The entire school were supported to prepare this garden-inspired spread to bolster the annual Lions and Rotary Club BBQ. Ciel collaborated with the Home Economics teacher, senior students and canteen staff to design an affordable and manageable bushfood-inspired menu. The renewed spread was a success, with over 400 baked potatoes and side salads served to over 500 Prep to Grade 12 students and their families.

_{This year's menu, loaded with goodness with the help of our Healthy Kids Advisor.} 

This awesome example of a whole-of-school commitment and the ability to turn a classic fundraiser into a version overflowing with good ingredients and tastebud-approved variety, is now a solid example and practical model to draw from. Our Advisors are keen to roll out more garden sausage sizzles with their communities, in the Healthy Kids Advisors' target 13 local government areas.

NAIDOC Week is observed yearly as a celebration of the history, culture, and excellence of First Nations people. This year, the #NAIDOC2023 theme: For Our Elders, acknowledges and celebrates the important role that Elders play in lives, families, communities, and culture across Australia and throughout the nation’s history. You can learn more about NAIDOC, and how to participate in the celebrations by visiting: https://www.naidoc.org.au/

About the Healthy Kids Advisors initiative 

The Healthy Kids Advisors initiative is delivered by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and supported by the Victorian Government and Australian Government. 

This community engagement initiative is active in 13 priority communities to spread pleasurable food education and encourage participation in the state-wide Vic Kids Eat Well movement. 

In collaboration with local health promoters, Council and community, our Advisors offer free support and simple ideas to boost healthy and delicious food and drink in schools, sports clubs, after-hours care and council-run facilities. 

Want more information?

Visit the Healthy Kids Advisors news page or contact us at hka@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

Follow us

#HealthyKidsAdvisors, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.