Bush Tucker garden opened at St Mary’s
BY ALEX TIGANI
When Mrs Diana Gillett was appointed as Aboriginal Education Teacher of St Mary’s Primary School, she suspected it would be a temporary role.
Fast forward three years later and the proud educator couldn’t help but smile as the Scone community gathered for the opening of the school’s bush tucker garden last Friday.
“This was amazing,” Mrs Gillett told The Hunter River Times.
“This feels incredible to see that vibrant beautiful display of culture.”
A grant from MACH Energy enabled the school to build an outdoor learning space complete with a yarning circle.
The school had the privilege of hosting two Elders, one to perform a smoking ceremony and one to play didgeridoo. Indigenous dancers also travelled up from St Catherine’s, Singleton while Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison joined representatives from local land services and members the region’s diocesan team as special guests.
By the time the recess bell had sounded to conclude the ceremony, Mrs Gillett could not help but smile.
“If not my whole teaching career, without sounding too trite, it was one of the highlights of my professional life,” she reflected.
“It was a real challenge but at the end of the day it came together so perfectly, and it is about educating our children about the significance.”