ROSEMARY - a distinguished herb on ANZAC Day

If you look closely at veterans and the public paying their respects at ANZAC Day services, you will often see a small sprig of rosemary pinned to their shirts or lapels. This aromatic, perennial herb is native to the Mediterranean region, and has become a symbol of Australia’s commemorative day for a number of reasons.

Since ancient times it has been associated with the dead, and Egyptians used it more than 2,000 years ago to place on tombs. The smell of rosemary is also believed to improve memory, with stories that Greek scholars wore it in their hair to help them with their studies. Perhaps because of this, it has since become an emblem of fidelity and remembrance in literature and folklore.
 

It also has particular significance for Australians, as the herb can be found growing wild all over the Gallipoli peninsular, where troops fought in 1915.

When a wounded digger from Adelaide was repatriated to the Army Hospital at Keswick, South Australia, in 1915, he is reported to have brought back with him a small rosemary bush dug up from the slopes and ravines of ANZAC Cove and it was planted in the hospital grounds.

Cuttings from this original plant were grown in nurseries and today can be found all over Australia. It is this original Gallipoli strain of rosemary that is worn on ANZAC Day, and also sometimes on Remembrance Day.

(Author, Matlida Dray, RSL, https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1642828296332865360#editor/target=post;postID=6416886332741702001)

WORM FARM Woo Hoo!

A worm farm is a fantastic way to minimise food waste by turning your organic kitchen waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser for your plants and soils. Worms eat organic waste (their own weight in food everyday) and turn it into liquid fertiliser and worm castings (the organic material that has been digested by the worms). Both of these products can be used on your garden and on your pot plants to keep them thriving. We also use worm liquid to replace fertiliser.

We have two fully functional bathtubs worm farms housing 5000 red composting worms in total, with another two 'tubs' under construction.  Our worm food - scraps - are gathered from the College canteen, and donated by parents and staff.  

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY and thanks for a great Term 1

BEHIND THE URBAN FARM IS A LARGE SUPPORT CREW….

It’s been a magnificent Term 1 for the Urban Farm. Rather than listing the key achievements and improvements that have occurred, this is a list of the many people who have been involved with the farm, so far this year, in various capacities.  To these people, we say “Thank You” for your contributions toward ensuring that the Urban Farm continues to be a successful model of an inner-city food producing system.

From within the College Community we thank Principal Leadbetter and the CLT, Brendan Bartlett – Farm Caretaker, Chanelle Heshusius – Communications Manager, Will Pike – Events Manager, Todd Hazlett – Accounting Manager, Lorraine Kopp – Human Resources Director, Ben Reyneke and the Facilities and Maintenance team, Julie and Chris Thompson – Laurie's Canteen, Mallissa Spina and the Café Edmund team, Nigel and Chris – Printroom team, Laneway Team – Levi, Katie and Jesse, Student Leader and film maker – John Hunt, Student Assistants – Cale Dennis, Callum Jesser and Joshua Scott and Jake Sutherland, all of our young urban farmers – too many to name individually, and the many staff who make donations and who provide feedback.

From the wider community we thank Dave Storey – Banks Street Botanicals, Chris and Joanne Edwards – Australian Catering Services, Abington Aquaculture, National Worms and Compost, Bruce and Mary Hunt, Joc Curran, Colleen Parr, everyone who has donated 2^nd hand materials, and the many parents who visit and enjoy the farm.

Contact Nataleen Kilburn on 3010 1185 or nkilburn@slc.qld.edu.au if you have a question about the Urban Farm or would like to be involved.