In partnership with Prepare Produce Provide (PPP) from Western Australia (WA), a NSW Aboriginal Student Career Immersion program was held in Dubbo which brought together Aboriginal High School students with the aim to inspire culinary skills training- highlighting traditional cultural food practices used in contemporary ways.

Collaborating with PPP representatives Catherine MacDougall and Karen Abercromby, WA Youth Ambassadors, Elders, NSW Cultural leaders, and Educators the program was designed with PPP methodology incorporating masterclasses and workshops featuring local ingredients, foraging and plant identification at Western Plains Zoo.

Dubbo Education and Wellbeing Officer, Cecil See; Chefs Adam Moore and Lee Cecchin; Founder of Dreamtime Tuka Herb Smith, and local Aboriginal artist Bobby Mackay worked with participants to produce a mural reflecting their journey.

22 Aboriginal students from 11 regional schools worked closely over the week with Aboriginal Chef Malarie Webster to develop their hospitality skills to host the Gala Dinner at Dubbo’s Rhino Lodge, which also showcased Australian traditional ingredients.

This cultural culinary camp was aimed to inspire career aspirations for Aboriginal high school students to successfully transition into post-school apprenticeships.

We acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, custodians of the cultural origins of this program and Prepare Produce Provide who contributed significantly in close partnership with the Department in piloting this program, and creating this opportunity for NSW students, based on their successful Djinda Ngardak "Under The Stars" Cultural Culinary Program evolving in WA since 2013.