Central NSW Hub
Supporting First Nations people via accessible regional hubs
Hub Details
The Central NSW Hub is centrally located in Dubbo, with hub projects developed in the pilot year located in Dubbo and Narromine.
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With a large Indigenous population, the communities within Central NSW have strong support in developing Indigenous career initiatives. Current strengths in tourism and food manufacturing give the Indigenous Women Entrepreneur & STEM Pathways Project a good opportunity to showcase native foods and careers across the Australian native ag+food sector.
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This project will continue to expand beyond the pilot program as the opportunities grow within Dubbo and the surrounding areas, especially in technology and manufacturing.
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The Central NSW hub stakeholder network was established with Charles Sturt University’s Office of First Nations Engagement and includes strong links to education and industry partners, as well as links to the local Indigenous community.
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Hub Projects
Narromine High School Native Foods Garden Initiative
This school initiative will provide a group of Indigenous student leaders the opportunity to learn about establishing a garden with native plants and using this garden to create a profitable business. The students are working in collaboration with Dubbo’s ICAN nursery to build the garden and working with local Indigenous business owners and cultural advisers through a range of workshops to build their business and cultural understanding.
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The establishment of the garden will also give students in years 7-10 at Narromine High School the opportunity to connect with the garden as part of this project. The school is connecting with STEM experts to align elements of the native food value chain within the Design & Technology, Science, Agriculture and Business Studies curriculum to ensure sustainability and growth of the native garden site.
Bushfood Hospitality Work Placement Project
This initiative will provide careers awareness and pathway establishment for year 12 students unsure of their career path. The program will be offered to up to 20 young Indigenous women studying Year 11 and 12 Hospitality and/or Food Technology at Dubbo College Senior Campus, as part of their required work placement. The students will connect with Indigenous chefs and assist in developing recipes including native ingredients.
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Over a week-long immersion program, students will engage with Indigenous chefs, business and cultural advisers to create a lunch menu they will present to their parents, school and industry representatives. The lunch will feature native ingredients that are found locally on Wiradjuri Country. Students will also link to local businesses to better understand the availability of careers in the food industry in the Dubbo region.
These pilot initiatives received grant funding from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science Energy and Resources through the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Round 3 program.
