Local landholder, Dr Robbie van Hemert feels so strongly about the vibrant Liverpool Plains food-producing region she created a schools education unit, to connect students with the vital Australian food bowl, the Liverpool Plains.
“I created an exciting new resource to inspire the connection between students and our world class Australian food Bowl, the Liverpool Plains in NSW,” said Robbie who continued, “Connecting with a place is fundamental to caring for it.”
Targeted at students from years five to eight, ‘The Food Bowl Connection’ unit was spearheaded by Dr Robbie van Hemert and written by education consultant Angela Colliver and is available for Geography, Agriculture, Technologies, Humanities and Social Science classes.
Already 1,000 students across NSW are set to undertake the unit, with sales of the unit still available. “It’s an interactive and easy to use package for teachers and educators and I would like to say a big thank you to Roger Moylan from Northwest Farm Machinery, who has sponsored a copy of the unit for students at Quirindi High School,” said Robbie.
Quirindi High School, Agricultural Teacher Andrew Harries said there are 50 students in the school currently undertaking Agricultural studies.
“Around half of our students are undertaking studies to set them up for a future working in the primary industries sector, with the other half looking towards a potential future in agricultural studies at university.
Mr Harries continued he was looking forward to undertaking the unit as part of the Agricultural studies at the school.
“The Food Bowl Connection unit is an education unit that connects local children with the Liverpool Plains and it’s this local connection that is so appealing to us.”
School Principal, Ian Worley said the unit was also a positive conduit for local business to connect students with agriculture and our local farming community.
“We are very thankful to the education unit creator Dr Robbie Van Hemert and to Roger Moylan for sponsoring the unit for our school.
Through listening to the needs of local farming businesses we aim to build on the skills and strengths of our local students to encourage them to be work ready,” he said.
Roger Moylan from Northwest Farm Machinery, who sponsored the education unit for the school says he likes to support the industry that supports him.
“My clients are from the local agricultural sector and I am pleased to offer a way to encourage students towards a positive future of employment in their local area. Quirindi High School is a great school and this unit can inspire children to undertake further professional studies in agriculture and contribute back to their local communities,” Roger concluded.