A weekend-long celebration of the Bermagui Preschool's Moodji Farm started on Friday with a bonfire and fire ceremony, attended by the preschool's children, families as well as the broader community.
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Over the next two days, there was a discussion with writer and historian Bruce Pascoe, Indigenous Australian artist Cheryl Davison and natural beekeeper Adrian Iodice, as well as a workshop to learn how to make string from Indigenous Australian fibers to be used at the farm in the construction of a bamboo trellis.
"Our society is growing increasingly dissatisfied with storytelling conventions around history, country and cultural heritage that unduly continue to inform policy, education and land management," Moodji project manager Dan Bakker said before the discussion.
"Inaccuracy, misappropriation, convenience and the segregation of our lived experiences can lend to the perpetuation of in-just narratives, the outfall from which we all suffer.
"Conversely, honesty has the capacity to realign and restore integrity to our understandings... and when conveyed with colour, purpose and humility this truth-telling can initiate positive change, healing and prosperity
"Bruce Pascoe believes our 'impoverished education systems' have held us all back from truly rejoicing and commending our First Nations' heritage and sees this wealth of innovation and knowledge to be the foundation of a renewed approach to global agronomy.
"Through his book Dark Emu: Black Seeds: Agriculture Or Accident?, Bruce proposes a regenerative land practice that looks to his ancestors: the oldest and most sustained cultivators on the planet, the inventors of bread," Mr Bakker said.
"The launching of a junior version of his award-winning book heralds a long-overdue appreciation, and more importantly the 'application', of Indigenous agriculture for generations to come.
"Likewise, in the true spirit of stewardship, Adrian Iodice advocates for a 'care approach' in his beekeeping that prioritises a hive's primary function with humans benefiting only from the surplus of their happy industry.
"By 'providing the optimal conditions for their health' Adrian sees his hives as central to a broader integrated ecology - an ecology which humans are only part of.
"Cheryl Davison's art is her unique contribution to the world through which she conveys connections between family, country and her Yuin culture.
"A passionate storyteller, Cheryl's highly regarded paper, canvas and stone works reveal how an artist can communicate their heritage through the blending of both ancient and contemporary form.
"Together Bruce, Adrian and Cheryl will share perspectives, celebrate achievements and discuss how we might move towards a more prosperous, interdependent and mutually-appreciative people," Mr Bakker said.