Equity in education extends beyond formal classrooms. For many communities, learning happens through shared experience, cultural exchange and connection to Country.
In regional Queensland, the Eidsvold Garden Community Connect Project is a powerful example of how community-led learning can build understanding, confidence and opportunity.
Delivered by North Burnett Community Service and supported by a Mary MacKillop Today Highways and Byways small grant, the project brought people together through culturally informed gardening and land care activities, grounded in First Nations knowledge.
Over 12 months, the project created inclusive learning opportunities for people of all ages. Four community workshops explored bush tucker, native plants and traditional land care practices, helping participants deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable environmental care. These shared learning experiences fostered respect, curiosity and cultural awareness, particularly for those who may not otherwise have access to this type of education.
The project also addressed barriers to participation such as social isolation. Regular workshops and volunteer days encouraged friendships, strengthened community pride and created a sense of shared ownership. More than 50 volunteers contributed their time, supported by 11 local donations, demonstrating strong community engagement and collective learning in action.
A bush tucker garden was established as a lasting educational resource, featuring two L-shaped garden beds and 30 to 40 native plants including Illawarra Flame Trees, Lemon Myrtle and Banksia. Alongside the garden, a yarning circle was created as a permanent space for storytelling, cultural learning and community gatherings.
The opening of the yarning circle, held in partnership with Central Queensland Indigenous Development, doubled as a NAIDOC celebration and was attended by 60 community members. It marked not just the completion of a project, but the beginning of an ongoing space for learning and connection.
Participants spoke warmly of the project’s impact on wellbeing and belonging. As one community member, Lillian Garrett, shared, “This project brought people together, provided a sense of identity and ownership, and helped combat social isolation.”
By supporting grassroots initiatives like the Eidsvold Garden Community Connect Project, the Mary MacKillop Today Highways and Byways Small Grants Program helps ensure education is inclusive, culturally grounded and accessible. These projects show how learning, when rooted in community and culture, can create lasting change well beyond the classroom.
