The New South Wales government has provided a $99,000 ‘Community and Place’ grant to IndigiGrow, to develop a new learning space to foster employment opportunities and Aboriginal cultural connection.
Grant recipient IndigiGrow is a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and operated social enterprise which operates nurseries at La Perouse and Matraville Sports High School, reviving, growing and delivering native plants and bush tucker across Sydney.
The development of the cultural learning space on Bidjigal Country in Botany Bay is part of IndigiGrow’s broader efforts to grow jobs and broaden cultural knowledge.
New South Wales Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, attended the launch with school students, staff, parents and carers to celebrate the transformation of an unused school space, into a thriving hub for hands-on education in native plants, cultural knowledge and connection to Country.
The launch featured a demonstration on how to propagate banksia pods using fire, given by IndigiGrow’s Peter Cooley.
The state government’s Community and Place Grants has funded $35 million to support community-led programs that advance Closing the Gap outcomes since 2022.
Attorney General and Member for Maroubra, Michael Daley, said that the cultural learning hub will help strengthen young Aboriginal people’s connection to culture.
“Programs like this are crucial to improving outcomes for Aboriginal students and empowering the next generation of community leaders,” Mr Daley said.
Minister Harris said that the New South Wales government is proud to support community-led initiatives that provide opportunities for students to deepen their cultural knowledge, learn from Elders and gain practical skills that connect them to Country and community.
“Projects like this demonstrate the power of Aboriginal knowledge and leadership in shaping meaningful educational experiences for young people in New South Wales,” Minister Harris said.
“By supporting IndigiGrow’s work, we are helping ensure the next generation can access cultural learning in a way that strengthens identity, wellbeing and opportunity to help close the gap.”
