Melaleuca Park Primary School Young Environmental Leader Program (YELP) students have been planting seeds of success, creating their own indigenous edible garden as part of the program.
Year 6 Melaleuca Park Primary School students Zoe, Audrey and Maliya first researched indigenous plants which led them on an excursion to Nene Valley accompanied by local John Magarey.

The students proceeded to design their garden, consulting with Limestone Coast Landscape Board education coordinators Vanessa Freebairn and Damien Bickley who also helped with the practical aspect of the project.

The young green thumbs planted species such as Pig Face, Sea Celery, Muntrie and Lomandra.

Audrey said as part of their initial research they looked for a suitable place for the garden and mapped out appropriate spots for the plants.

“We are learning about Boandik culture so we thought it would be a good thing to extend our knowledge on,” she said.

“We went on a walk in Nene Valley that John took us on, and he was explaining all these different plants, their properties and how some of the Boandik people use them.

“As YELP leaders we embark on projects to solve problems that will help our school and community.”

Zoe said the garden bed was going well.

“Some of the plants have not been doing so well but Pig Face is doing the best, we have taken it out of the garden and it’s pretty good, and I am excited to eat it,” she said.

“We have been teaching some of the younger students how to take care of and maintain the garden so when we leave to go to high school there will be someone we can trust to keep it growing.

“A challenge was just learning how to maintain the plants; it was pretty difficult for me.”

Later this term the Melaleuca Park Primary School YELP students will meet with other program participants from across the Limestone Coast in Robe to share their project.