Wantirna College Newsletter

Marrung News

Cooking First Nations Recipes

On Thursday 12 September, Wantirna College hosted an exciting cooking class that introduced students to traditional First Nations ingredients. The focus was on using historical Aboriginal herbs, and the star of the show was the Lemon Myrtle Slice, made with the unique Lemon Myrtle herb.

 

The recipe card at each cooking station read:

 

Lemon Myrtle is sometimes Referred to as 'the queen of the lemon herbs'.  It boasts an intensely citrus fragrance and flavour and has long been used in Aboriginal cuisine and medicine. In the wild, you'll find it in the subtropical rainforest of central and south eastern Queensland.

 

Ms Steen and team prepared the room B2 with all the ingredients, ready to be cooked up to make the most fragrant, delicious lemon slice we have ever tasted (and so easy to make too!) With Mrs Steen and the food tech team preparing the B2 Food Tech Room and setting out all the ingredients, students were ready to create a wonderfully fragrant and tasty Lemon Myrtle Slice.

 

Here’s the recipe to make at home and give it a go yourself! Make sure to have an adult with you as this recipe involves using a knife and a rolling pin.

 

Lemon Myrtle Slice

Biscuit base ingredients:

  • ½ Cup condensed milk
  • 100g  butter
  • 250g granita biscuits
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut
  • 2 teaspoon  lemon right ( finely grated )
  • ½  teaspoon lemon myrtle

Lemon icing ingredients:

  • 2 cups icing sugar (Sifted)
  • 20g  butter ( softened)
  •  two tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½  teaspoons lemon myrtle

Method:

1.Place condensed milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir over heat until smooth and combined. Do not let burn! Remove from heat.

 

2.Place the biscuits in a plastic freezer bag and use a rolling pin to crush the biscuits.

 

3.Transfer biscuits to a bowl. Add coconut, lemon rhyme, and lemon. Stir well to combine.

 

4.Press the biscuit mixture into the base of the prepared tray.

 

5.Make lemon icing: add icing sugar, butter, lemon juice, and lemon myrtle to a small saucepan. Stir over very low heat until combined and smooth. Spread icing over slice

 

The cooking session was a hit! Students teamed up, gathered ingredients, and followed the recipe with Ms Steen guiding them through the process. The room filled with mouth-watering sweet, citrus fragrances and lots of laughter while mixing the ingredients together, ending with the most delicious lemon slice this writer has ever tasted! The students especially enjoyed breaking up the cookies with the rolling pin (which got quite loud!) and spreading the icing on top.

 

A big thank you to Ms Steen for take the time and guiding us through this awesome recipe!!

Can’t wait to see what we have in store for our next lesson!

R U OK Day

What is “R U OK?” Day:

R U OK? Day is a national day that encourages all Australians to reach out and ask, "Are you OK?" It’s an opportunity for each of us to engage in meaningful conversations with those who might be struggling and offer support. However, it's important to remember that these conversations should happen every day, not just on this special day.

 

Why is R U OK? Day Important:

The core goal this day is to bring awareness to suicide prevention by strengthening personal relationships and informal support networks. By being attentive to those around us, whether they are friends, family, or colleagues, we can spot signs of distress or a change of mood, offer a listening ear, and connect them with support before they reach a crisis point.

 

R U OK? Day acts as a reminder that we all have a role to play in supporting each other, whether at home, work, or within our communities. A simple question and a caring conversation can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

 

Remember, asking "Are you OK?" can be a powerful step towards change and support. Let’s make it a habit to care for and connect with those around us. For more information about R U OK? and how to get involved, visit [R U OK?](http://www.ruok.org.au/what-were-about).

 

If you want to learn more about this national holiday, feel free to learn more on the R U OK website: http://www.ruok.org.au/what-were-about

 

Q&A with Wantirna College students:

During the usual weekly cheese toasties lunch time, the wellbeing team members asked the students questions regarding their understanding of mental health and what mental health means to them. Students have honest and thoughtful answers, considering what events in life cause distress and what help them cope during the tough times. 

 

1.What does mental health mean to you?

  • Effecting yourself and others
  • Feeling worried and stressed
  • Feeling low and depressed
  • Anxious and out of control

2.What helps with mental health?

  • Getting enough sleep
  • Listening to music
  • Hanging out with friends 
  • Talking to supportive people

3.What does feeling happy and healthy in your mind look like for you?

  • If someone i like spends time with me, 
  • Listening to music 
  • Being motivated to do things 
  • Being a lot more present.
  • Being interested in hobbies. 
  • Drawing and doing personal hobbies 

4.Can you describe a time when you felt really stressed or worried? What helped you feel better?

  • Science test to be completed and music helped me for this.
  • Friends use humour to distract you and make you laugh
  • School work is stressful and music and time to myself helped me get better
  • Not following a schedule makes me stressed, continue on and self-affirmation and.
  • GALA (claustrophobic), music and talking to my friends 

5.How do you think we can support each other when someone is feeling down or upset?"

  • Hugs 
  • Comfort them (sit with them) 
  • Talking with them 
  • Offering a safe space to talk and be in 
  • Listening to them and their concerns and making sure they are ok;.

How indigenous cultures approach mental health, how they maintain mental health and wellbeing.

For many First Nations people, Mental health is not simply a state of health that can be clinically diagnosed and treated through pharmaceutical means. For First Nations people it is often labelled as having a strong sense of belonging and a strong cultural and spiritual identity that strengthen their mind and connection to their lands and cultures.

 

Unmeasurable factors such as life purpose, spirit to land, belonging, sense of direction and the quality of interpersonal relationships can also be categorised under this aspect of wellbeing. 

 

First Nations people facing issues around their mental health may often seek care and support through traditional and cultural means and may practice methods and techniques passed down from past generations, trust in each other and their culture demonstrates a strong level of mental wellbeing.       

 

If you would like to explore some indigenous artists that speak openly about mental health, here are some suggestions

  • Professor Tom Calma AO
  • Dr. Sheri Daniels
  • Joe Gallagher

13th September: Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of indigenous people.

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a critical document that addresses the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities worldwide, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Developed by the United Nations, in collaboration with Indigenous representatives, the Declaration serves as a guiding framework for promoting equality, human rights, and respect for Indigenous cultures. This statement outlines the key struggles faced by these communities and highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic disadvantages, healthcare disparities, and discrimination to ensure their wellbeing and development.

 

The Declarations of the Rights of Indigenous People was a framework created by the United Nations and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It outlines the importance of the basic human rights of the Indigenous population and highlights equality amongst the general population and the satisfaction of basic human standards that demonstrate development and optimal wellbeing for the indigenous community.

            

The indigenous population has been known to struggle with adversity throughout their lives, their experiences in adverse times are depicted in statistics of health in the Australian population.  Common disadvantages include: 

  • Socio-economic 
  • Poor living conditions 
  • Higher rates of poor health
  • Lower levels of education
  • Discrimination

 

The Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People through writing recognises these struggles the indigenous communities face and acknowledges them and places great value towards their level of care. It advocates for equal treatment and highlights the importance of respecting and acknowledges the traditional custodians of our lands. 

 

Woiwurrung Word of the Week