We have been working very hard on our multimedia presentation and today we are launching it! Our multimedia presentation is focussed on Healthy Communities. We chose Healthy Communities as we felt in encompassed all we had been studying. We hope we articulated what we learnt and we want to thank our teacher for helping us find the words we needed.
We are also proud to say that our multimedia project has resulted in an amazing art work which we will be auctioning off to raise money for the Aussie Farmers Foundation. We know that they are helping to build healthy communities, not just in rural areas, but in all communities across Australia by supporting our farmers. We want to support them to support our farmers and in turn help food get from the paddock to our plate. You can watch the video here and bid on the mural. You can read the transcript below. Healthy Communities – A shared responsibility Tim Eyes, a young farming champion, said it was a privledge to feed others with his quality beef. A privledge he said. We did not know how big this statement was until we set out to learn more. I am a teenager. In the evening I come home from school to find my mum preparing dinner. My favourite meal is spaghetti bolognaise. I set my school bag down, retreat to my room, and touch base with my friends via my phone. “Dinner’s ready” calls mum. I make my way to the kitchen where she places a warm bowl of spaghetti into my hands. I look down and all of a sudden I am hit with the aroma of beef. I suddenly remember the day I met Tim Eyes. I suddenly remember what I have leant in class. And right in that moment, I am grateful for all it has taken to put that Bolognese on my plate. Everyone in Australia, and in fact the globe, deserves access to safe, affordable and nutrious food and our farmers, like Tim, are on the job. Did you know that despite being the driest continent Australian cattle farmers play a major role in feeding the world? Australia produces only 4% of the world’s beef yet is the world’s third largest exporter exporting to over 100 countries providing much needed protein to the world’s population. Not only do we need beef farmer’s to provide us with food, but we all source a number of every day products from beef such as leather to make footballs and other sporting goods, gelitan which is used to make gummy bears and marshmallows, soaps and be auty products, glue and printing ink and even the asphalt on our roads. But what are we doing to support our farmers? They have a lot to think about to make this happen for us. Have you ever thought what a farmer thinks? A farmer needs to consider the weather and the impact this weather has on the land. They need to think about water, and in Australia, the lack of water. They need to consider the environment and more and more pressure is being put on farmers to be environmentally friendly and change their agricultural practices to help combat climate change. They need to look after their animals with animal welfare a top priority in their day to day work. After all, these animals are their bread and butter (literally). Safety of their workers and safe food production is also a thought. Farmers consider the way new technology can support them. They sweat about money and how to pay for all this while still supporting their family. Families who often work together on the farm. Children doing chores and caring for animals before and after school. All to put nutritious food on our tables. All to ensure we are a healthy community. Farmers have a lot to think about and I need to think about it more. I need to think about how I can support my farmers support our nation. I need to think about my food waste and take responsibility for educating others in my home and school. I need to take responsibility for climate change and as a young Australian speak up where I can to try and make those in power listen before it is too late. I need to try and reduce my individual carbon footprint. I need to be more adventurous in my food choices, and further to this, encourage my parents to source local produce. I need to educate myself and others about where my food comes from. I also need, we all need, to ensure our farmers know we’ve got them. The weight should not be on their shoulders. To ensure we have a healthy community, we have to ensure our farmers are healthy, both mentally and physically. That is why we have created this mural. It will be auctioned off to support rural initatives through the aussie farmers foundation. Tim Eyes, says he is proud to be part of this industry. We are proud of him. It takes courage to be a farmer and feed this hungry nation.
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On Friday the 29th June we met our young farming champion Tim Eyes at his farm in Wyong Creek. We got out of the bus and were greeted by Tim and Hannah and their farm dog. Tim took us to see the different crops he was growing so that the cows had sufficient food to eat. Some of the crops included types of grass, oats and potatoes. We enjoyed getting our hands dirty while digging for potatoes. Tim then introduced us to Joyce the dairy cow and her adopted calf. We named the calf DJ Ravioli! John enjoyed helping hand catch the calf so that we could walk and pat it. We then had the opportunity to milk Joyce. What an experience for those that were brave! Following this, Hannah had to take the mareema sheepdog away so we could visit the chickens. This dog was amazing. He protects the chickens like the dog from the movie Oddball protected the penguins. John and Aaliyah collected two cartons of eggs from the chickens while Catriona gave them a cuddle. We then met the cattle. We had to call them down the hill by calling “C’mon”. To be honest it was a bit frightening when they all ran towards the fence. We were able to feed them while we learnt about the beef industry from Tim. We discussed different types of cattle, how they breed, the abattoirs and the various products beef are used for. Lunch was cooked by Hannah... mmmm.... beef sausages. We picked oranges from the mini orchard and ate them after lunch. They were delicious. Tim let us take some home. We finished the day with a mini photo shoot for the Central Coast Express Advocate. We can't wait to see ourselves in the paper. We were sad to leave Tim, Hannah and the farm and can't wait to spend more time there in the future This is some of what we leant: “Different types of grass thrive or die depending on the season.” – Aaliyah “The bull is only brought in for a short period of time to breed with the cows.” – John “Potatoes grow in the ground. Seeing that blew my socks off.” – Brandan (aka HoP) “There are beef products in many of our medicines.” – Amy “I learnt how to milk a cow. It was strange.” – Catriona “I realised how much work each farmer has to put in to grow a cow.” – Aaron We thank Tim, Hannah and Tim's family for having us on their property. How lucky are we to have such a great mentor?!! |
AuthorThe amazing students from The Lakes College, Youth Off The Streets Archives
September 2018
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