Aboriginal smoking ceremony to open bush garden

Woy Woy Public School's new bush tucker garden was opened with an aboriginal smoking ceremony on Wednesday, September 25.

Aboriginal elder Uncle Tim Selwyn conducted the ceremony with Aunties from the Mingaletta corporation in Umina also attending.

School principal Ms Ona Buckley said: "Mr Selwyn performed a traditional aboriginal smoking ceremony to cleanse the area and make it a peaceful and restful space for all to visit and enjoy.

"Everyone respectfully joined in and participated, following Mr Selwyn around the garden as he moved along the paths with the traditional smoking gum leaves.

"After the smoking ceremony, all the guests and visitors were treated to a lovely picnic afternoon tea."

Ms Buckley said: "This is a wonderful added space for our school where children can explore bush tucker plants growing and enjoy the tranquillity of nature in a restful shady and green space.

"It will be used as an outdoor learning space and environmental education learning tool."

Early Intervention aboriginal teacher Mrs Chloe Nebauer said countless hours of work had been spent to make it "such a fantastic area for our students".

The school received an Eco Schools Grant of $3500 towards the cost of the project.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 27 Sep 2019

Ona Buckley, Woy Woy Public School