Renowned landscape artist Lawrence Smith AM will join with Taribelang elders to develop a new Bush Tucker Trail on Elliott Heads State School‘s grounds.
Mr Smith will be joined by Taribelang elders and current students to design the Bush Tucker Trail that will be developed in current bushland on the school grounds.
Elliott Heads State School Principal Nichola Lister said her inspiration for the Bush Tucker Trail came from visiting the Tom Quinn Centre.
“After viewing the bushwalks and Indigenous art at the Tom Quinn Centre, I came up with the idea of transforming the bushland area at Elliott Heads State School into a Bush Tucker Trail,” she said.
“This will be something the staff, student’s, local community and visitors can enjoy.
“The native bushland forest will take many years to complete, however in the next eighteen months we hope to complete the bulk of the work.”
As an expert in the field and relative of the school’s principal, Mr Smith was more than happy to be involved.
“I asked Mr Smith if he would like to come out of retirement and help plan our landscape and he was delighted to be a part of a project that focuses on native plants, especially edible plants,” Ms Lister said.
“Creating a native bushland area on the scale we are going to needs expertise and a great deal of knowledge.”
Working with Mr Smith, students will be involved in the planning and construction of the trail.
“Students will assist Mr Smith this week to mark out the pathways and garden beds,” Ms Lister said.
“Our student leaders will be a part of the planning discussion with Taribelang elders, school representatives, parents and guests.”
Once completed, the Bushland Forest will be used by students and staff as an outdoor learning venue.
The area is already home to an array of established native trees, with a small bridge, a yarning circle and a native bee area part of the new plans.
Neighbouring schools, childcare centres, clubs and interested community members will be able to visit the forest to learn about native edible plants and animals.
Mr Smith has been involved in projects including World Expo 88, the Bargara Turtle Park and the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Since retiring, he has concentrated on consulting in specialised areas of his personal expertise, specifically Botanic Gardens.
He is hosting an Edible Native Plants information evening on Thursday 3 June at 6:30pm at Elliott Heads State School.
Elliott Heads State School is seeking interested companies to sponsor the project, hoping for support from local groups who may be interested in helping with construction.
Any interested parties can telephone the school on 4159 6242 or email principal@elliottheadsss.eq.edu.au.
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