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Bertram Primary School Garden Launch
As one of the principal sponsors of Anti-Poverty Week 2009, the Red Cross officially opened the Bertram Primary School Garden on Thursday October 15th 2009, tying it in with the Week’s theme of Health.
Before school the Red Cross and Bertram PS provided students, members of the school community and invited guests with a healthy breakfast. Bertram PS parent and staff volunteers, Mrs Crookes, Mr and Mrs Galbraith, Mrs Poole, Mrs More and Mrs Tuffin made a huge batch of vegetable muffins using fresh produce from our garden.
Everyone was able to take a seedling home with them to start (or add to) their own vegetable garden.
The launch began with Welcome to Country by Marie Taylor (Nyungar Birdiyia Yok and Elder), a direct descendant of the traditional landowners of the Herdsman Lake region. Marie spoke about the history of the Kwinana area.
A plaque acknowledging The Australian Red Cross, BHP Billiton, The Department of Health and Aging and The Smith Family as sponsors of the garden was unveiled by Bertram PS Principal, Mr Geoff Hood and Red Cross in Western Australia’s Executive Director, Mr Steve Joske.
Mr Joske said “most of what causes ill-health and determines better health is directly related to the social, cultural, economic and environmental circumstances people find themselves in. By teaching children how to grow their own food, encourage healthy eating and provide them with a positive interactive learning environment, we hope the skills they gain will positively influence their lives beyond the schoolyard. Red Cross, like many other organisations, is working to tackle the social determinants of poor health before they lead to longer-term problems by promoting early intervention and health through a range of programs – like the Bertram Primary School Garden”.
