Premier visits Bellarine Secondary College

VICTORIAN Premier Jacinta Allan dropped by the Drysdale campus of Bellarine Secondary College on Friday last week for a tour of its thriving regenerative farm.

She met with principal Wayne Johannesen, Farm My School pilot program co-founder Ben Shaw and treasurer Andrew Wilson, and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant to learn about the benefits of having a market garden located within the “heart of a school” and the hands-on learning experience it now provides students across the region.

Mr Shaw shared the team’s aspirations to expand the program to more schools across Victoria, and their plans to next establish an orchard at the Drysdale site.

The Farm My School program received just over $100,000 in funding in the state budget to support its food education programs which have helped more than 650 students build agricultural skills that will help shape the future of the industry.

The directors of Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre, professors Felice Jacka and Adrienne O’Neil, were also in attendance and spoke with the Premier about some of the research projects the centre has under way, including one involving students from the college.

Ms Allan congratulated the team on the “amazing” Farm My School project and praised the “sense of ownership” and “fabulous foundation” it provided the students at Bellarine Secondary College.

Ms Marchant, who has been a strong advocate for the Farm My School program since it was established, said the project was an important initiative for the wider Bellarine community and it was important for the Premier to see first-hand the investment the state government has made.

“The Farm My School project is an investment in our students’ education pathways and our local food systems.

“As a living classroom, it’s fostered a space for students to connect with the environment, access fresh produce and further developed their connection to community.”