The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - Lockhart River Bush Tucker

Lockhart River is a remote Cape York Aboriginal community located 800kms by road north of Cairns.  It has an approximate population of 650 people of whom 61 per cent are Indigenous.

The RFDS partnered with Lockhart River Primary Health Care Centre, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council and the Lockhart River State School to increase community awareness of traditional bush foods available in the area and the importance of bush tucker in improving health and wellbeing. 

Community members enjoyed bush tours in both the wet and dry seasons, bush tucker activities conducted at the school by community elders who shared their bush tucker knowledge "across the generations" with students and parents. 

The bush tours have been captured on a DVD being used as an educational tool by both the school and the community.  Information has also been downloaded on the interactive touch screens located at the Lockhart River Primary Health Centre. 

School students also used art and painted murals to share their bush tucker knowledge.  This artwork is now proudly displayed at the Health Centre. 

This project has proven to be a catalyst for other initiatives including using the DVD as a training tool for health promotion.

A Queensland Government grant of $50,000 was provided under the Eat Well Be Active Community Partnerships Program to deliver this project. 

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - Lockhart River Bush Tucker

Lockhart River is a remote Cape York Aboriginal community located 800kms by road north of Cairns.  It has an approximate population of 650 people of whom 61 per cent are Indigenous.

The RFDS partnered with Lockhart River Primary Health Care Centre, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council and the Lockhart River State School to increase community awareness of traditional bush foods available in the area and the importance of bush tucker in improving health and wellbeing. 

Community members enjoyed bush tours in both the wet and dry seasons, bush tucker activities conducted at the school by community elders who shared their bush tucker knowledge "across the generations" with students and parents. 

The bush tours have been captured on a DVD being used as an educational tool by both the school and the community.  Information has also been downloaded on the interactive touch screens located at the Lockhart River Primary Health Centre. 

School students also used art and painted murals to share their bush tucker knowledge.  This artwork is now proudly displayed at the Health Centre. 

This project has proven to be a catalyst for other initiatives including using the DVD as a training tool for health promotion.

A Queensland Government grant of $50,000 was provided under the Eat Well Be Active Community Partnerships Program to deliver this project.