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Growing connection, culture, and capability -
one school at a time.

Liyan Gardens is a new initiative by the Liyan Foundation, designed to empower young people at Derby District High School through a hands-on garden-to-kitchen learning space. This space will be co-designed with the students and grounded in connection to Country.

At its heart, the project is about growing more than just food. It’s about growing confidence, curiosity, cultural pride, and future opportunity - on the students’ terms, in their place, with their voices at the centre.

Through creative co-design workshops, school collaboration, and Indigenous leadership, Liyan Gardens will become a culturally rich outdoor classroom and gathering space.

It will showcase native and bush food plantings that reflect local identity and traditional knowledge, complemented by ingredients that enhance the school's Home Economics and Kimberley Cuisine program. Additionally, the gardens will offer engaging learning opportunities in nutrition, sustainability, and art, closely aligned with the school's existing curriculum and vision. Ultimately, Liyan Gardens will exemplify a model of two-way education, celebrating local culture and empowering students.

Hands in the soil.
Hearts in the community.

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Bushfoods &

native planting

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Seasonal veggies,
fruit trees

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Outdoor classroom
& workbench

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Student-designed art

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Composting, irrigation, accessible paths

Why It Matters

The Liyan Foundation is a charity organisation that is reshaping how we approach the housing shortage complexities and building of communities in remote Indigenous Australia.

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We are paving pathways for two-way education between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people that promotes empowered, lifelong learning opportunities for local Aboriginal people and a platform for them to share their skills and cultural knowledge with the wider community.

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Building homes and towns together builds confidence, self-responsibility, connection and a good feeling for everyone.

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From seed to sharing - our 6 steps.

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Engage

Two-way learning with students, school, localindigenous and project team

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Design

Culturally grounded,student-informedgarden plan

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Build

Sustainable, local-led garden installation

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Learn

Ongoing garden education

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Grow

Future kitchen expansion community feasts & education

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Connect

Extend two-waylearning to include asister school program–Hobart & Derby

Inspired by a proven path. Adapted for the Kimberley.

Mentored by Tasmania’s 24 Carrot Gardens (24 successful school sites), we’re piloting the first WA-based model. Led by Liyan Foundation, powered by the community, and designed with students, not just for them.

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We are proudly partnered with Mentors from 24 Carrot Gardens, Landscape architect Vanessa Margetts, and Derby District High School.

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Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a thriving, community-informed garden that can inspire future projects in remote WA communities.

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Want to Help Us Grow?

Liyan Gardens is just the beginning. With the right support, we can expand this model to more schools and communities across remote WA. Interested in supporting this initiative? Reach out, we’d love to hear from you.

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