DPIRD and Outback Academy Australia host bushfoods event at Roelands Village

Aboriginal bushfoods are on the rise, and were the focus of a recent event in the Shire of Harvey. Opportunities for Aboriginal involvement in WA’s bushfood industry were discussed at the two-day industry event at Roelands Village which aimed to provide existing and aspiring business owners with key information and advice to help expand the emerging industry. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development — in partnership with Outback Academy Australia — hosted the event on November 2 and 3. Presentations were given by industry leaders including Outback Academy Australia, Dark Emu author Professor Bruce Pascoe and Binyaarns Bush Medicines’ Vivienne Hansen. DPIRD Aboriginal economic development manager Melissa Hartmann said the event was about supporting and celebrating Aboriginal businesses in the bushfoods industry. “There has been a dramatic interest in animals, insects and plants traditionally used as food by Aboriginal people, commonly known as bushfoods,” she said. A workshop was held on the second day for participants to take part in bushfood production and business planning, led by Indigenous Business Australia. Outback Academy Australia western business manager Kelly Flugge said the workshop was important in building relationships within the sector. “Today marks an important day for advancing partnerships with DPIRD and Aboriginal led regenerative agriculture,” she said. “Roelands Village is a significant location to host such a day, being the WA Academy Hub.” The McGowan Government launched two information guides on November 2 — Setting up for success: Bushfoods and Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses . Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said domestic and international interest in Australian bushfoods had grown, and the guides would help Aboriginal people to drive it forward. “These practical guides will help to grow the emerging Aboriginal bushfoods industry in Western Australia,” she said. “In 2019, the Australian bushfoods industry was valued at $21.5 million at the farm gate, but Aboriginal businesses account for less than 15 per cent of this million-dollar industry. “These guides, and the partnership formed with Outback Academy Australia, will boost the success and representation of Aboriginal businesses in the bushfoods industry.”