Watermelon Pathways has been created in response to the needs of these two. Nate Kapeen and Orlando Hickling will both be leaving the Clarence early next year to pursue pathways in rugby league. Orlando, 15, has scored an opportunity with Cronulla Sharks. He will be attending Endeavour Sports High School at Caringbah and will be staying at Kirinari Hostel with the support and supervision of the Sharks. He will be participating in the Targeted Sports Program – Rugby League.
Nate, 16, will be attending Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast under their Rugby League Academy. While he has received a scholarship to cover his education and sporting expenses, he requires private accommodation and will be staying at a boarding house with Uni students. Both boys will need money for personal expenses and incidentals.
Meanwhile, our bushfood garden is also in need of a fast-growing ground cover to protect it from the hot summer ahead – so to help both we came up with watermelons. Unfortunately, we didn’t think of it until November, but our seeds have sprouted, and the vines are growing well despite the current heat wave.
In the meantime, to get the ball rolling, we have another ground cover that is ready for harvest in limited quantities – warrigal greens.
This native spinach is great in salads and stir fries and will be available at Wednesday’s market at Yamba for $5 a bag. Remember to put them in a container in the fridge as soon as you get home and that it needs to be blanched before consumption.
WATERMELON PATHWAYS SUPPORTING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABORIGINAL YOUTH
