Liverpool Plains Shire Council welcomed 38 ecstatic Blacktown North Public School students and teachers - from the Liverpool Plains Shire Council's Sister City, Blacktown - into the shire on Friday.
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The exuberant students and teachers from the Sydney school - which has some 22 different nationalities, speaking 33 different languages in the school - visited the Plains as part of their undertaking of the 'Food Bowl Connection' educational unit.
Liverpool Plains landholder, Dr Robbie van Hemert feels so strongly about her vibrant food-producing region she created the 'Food Bowl Connection' education unit, that now links over 3000 students with our vital Australian food bowl.
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"I created the exciting resource to connect students to our world class Australian food Bowl, the Liverpool Plains in NSW," Dr van Hemert said. "Connecting with a place is fundamental to caring for it.
"Students develop and create their own logo and tag line as part of the unit and what better way to get to know a place than to visit."
The Blacktown contingent arrived today and undertook a series of country adventures including, visiting the Wallabadah First Fleet Garden, a tour and talk - from current farm Manager David Lees - of the historic Windy Woolshed and a farm tour of Liverpool Plains property 'Gunnadilly' with farmer Jamie - both on farm tours offered students the chance to see, smell, touch and interact with farming practices including feeding livestock, seeing crops and viewing farm machinery.
"The tour group have had an amazing time asking fabulous questions and connecting through the education unit and its also been terrific to bring tourism to our area assist local businesses, especially during this time of drought," Robbie's husband, Steve van Hemert.
As well as a tour of properties, the group heard presentations from respected community member, Hugh Price (Former manager of Windy Station) and from Mr Steve van Hemert, who ran the education arm of the excursion based on the Education Unit developed and created by his wife Dr Robbie van Hemert.
The group, are tonight being treated to a bonfire and camp oven dinner at the Quirindi Showgrounds before retiring to stay in local accommodation.
After a tour of the Rural Heritage Village, they head home to Sydney tomorrow morning after delicious breakfast prepared by representatives from the Museum, who will also supply them with a packed lunch for the trip home.
"It's been an amazing event, to host so many students from such varied cultures and backgrounds and have them link to our area through Robbie's Education Unit. We are very fortunate to have such a tremendous home grown educational resource that connects children from across Australia directly with the source of their food," said Nikki Robertson from Liverpool Plains Shire Council.
Targeted at students from years five to eight, 'The Food Bowl Connection' unit, 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.
Over 3000 students across Australia have/are undertaking the unit, with sales of the unit still available. "It's an interactive and easy to use package for teachers and educators," said Robbie.
To find out more about the 'Food Bowl Connection' Education Unit go to https://www.foodriverstation.com/foodbowlconnectionunit
LPSC would like to extend a very big thank you to their sister council Blacktown City Council for sponsoring today's unique and worthwhile event and those generous farmers and groups that opened their hearts and homes to share our amazing region.
Photography and words by Sally Alden Photography
