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You may remember a few months ago I spoke about my placement and my newfound love for experimenting with Indigenous ingredients and recipes. Last month we had the absolute pleasure at the World Home Economics Day (WHED) of getting to see some Indigenous resources in the classroom and use them to facilitate thinking. I wanted to discuss a few of the things that we got to experiment with and see their purpose in the classroom.

Everything I am going to discuss comes from Riley Callie. They have a plethora of books, games, professional development resources, classroom décor and so much more. The resources available are for students of all ages, which even go down to early childhood. With no further ado, here are some of my favourites:

Coo-ee Cuisine Cookbook ($32.95)

• a collection of a variety of recipes, utilising native ingredients and methods; some of my favourites include wattle seed cheesecake, lemon myrtle melting moments and bunya nut soup
• simple recipes to follow
• over 75 recipes by Aunty Dale Chapman (celebrated Aboriginal chef)

Bush tucker research cards ($32.95) 

• 20 cards that prompt students to research native ingredients
• questions such as where am I found?, how am I collected?, how am I prepared for eating? What season am I found in?
• ingredients such as Witchetty grubs, Pipi, Saltbush, Eel, Bush Yam etc.
• designed by Wingaru Education, Artwork by Aunty Cynthia Younie.

Yarning Cards ($32.95) 

• 60 questions and topics of discussion as a get to know you topics
• it helps to sparks conversations in the classrooms or at home
• suitable for anyone 4+
• could be used really well as opening activity or exit ticket
• printed by Indigiprint, Designed by Mirii Designs.

Riley Callie has lots and lots of resources, so I definitely recommend having a look. I would love to thank Rosie Sciacca and Aileen Lockhart from HEIA(Q) for the amazing professional development last month and opportunity to engage with these resources.

Olivia Bennett (HEIA[Q])

A vibrant morning unfolded as participants joined Associate Professor Emma Stirling and Jessica Malcolm from Australian Catholic University (ACU) for an engaging deep dive into the world of culinary nutrition.

Emma and Jessica brought their wealth of experience across food, hospitality, media, and community and public health sectors to life in an interactive and inspiring session. They showcased how this fast-growing field is opening exciting new pathways across many areas, including educators, medical practitioners, and home economists, highlighting its strong interdisciplinary opportunities. They also shared information about short courses and skill-building pathways to support professional growth in culinary nutrition.

Participants were guided through the kitchen gardens, gaining first-hand insight into how fresh produce connects to evidence-based nutrition practice and real-world learning.

A special highlight of this event was the celebration of the King and Amy O’Malley Trust scholars, recognising their achievements and contributions to the field. Estee Driscoll and Monique Boatwright were acknowledged as 2026 scholars, alongside past scholars including Alex Morton-Brown, Sonia Buxton, Hannah Smith, Daniel Baldwin, Dr Sandra Fordyce Voorham, and Dr Leanne Compton. It was great to have Michelle Parente from the Trust present, along with past Chair of the Advisory Committee, Professor Annette Gough, as well as current Advisory Committee members Dr Sandra Fordyce-Voorham and Dr Leanne Compton.

It was a morning that blended knowledge, connection, and celebration—leaving attendees inspired by the possibilities at the intersection of food, education, and nutrition practice.

HEIA(NT) kicked off 2026 with a successful first meet-up, bringing together educators from across the Darwin to reconnect and support the re-establishment of the association.

The session focused on future directions, strengthening connections, and creating valuable professional development opportunities for members.

The 2026 committee was confirmed as:

• Chairperson: Sevi Redwood
• Treasurer: Sevi Redwood
• Secretary: Airlie Brett
• Council Delegate: Jenna Pike

Members shared ideas to grow engagement, support teachers, and showcase the work happening in Home Economics classrooms across the NT.

We look forward to an exciting year ahead and encourage all Home Economics educators to get involved with HEIA(NT).

NSW celebrated World Home Economics Day in style, bringing everyone together to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the amazing work in their home economics community, as evidenced in the photos above.

(L–R): Olivia Bennett, Leila Kenzler, Prof Donna Pendergast (Advisory Committee member), and Kiara Too.

HEIA(Q) celebrated World Home Economics Day by recognising the 2026 King and Amy O’Malley Trust scholars at their World Home Economics Day event on Saturday 21 March.

This year I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to Moreton Bay College to accept my King and Amy O’Malley Trust scholarship as well as celebrate World Home Economics Day by getting involved in creating and tasting some native foods.

I congratulate all scholars on their achievements and would love to shout out to the Queensland recipients, many of whom I had the pleasure of meeting or catching up with again. This year's Queensland scholars were Leila Kenzler, Elodie Casey, Kiara Too, Katherine Dunn and Olivia Bennett.  It is very interesting to catch up with fellow scholars and see how their studies are doing and the different fields we are all going into.

As an O’Malley Trust scholar what I value the most is the connections that I have made and I am making. The home economics community is such a gorgeous and supportive network that as a student, I have received so much guidance through my studies. As I am studying a Bachelor of Education, I have received help and placements in schools where I know members of the faculty through the networking of alumnus scholars or HEIA members. Thoroughly, I enjoy and appreciate the resources that have been provided to help, networking with like minded people and the enthusiasm of the community to educate the next generation of home economics. Which ultimately is what King and Amy O’Malley’s mission and values would have been today.

For those who may not know, a real brief history lesson of King and Amy O’Malley. King O’Malley had an interest in Australian politics; he had much to do with developing key aspects of Australian politics and businesses. He was elected in as Minister of Home Affairs from 1910 to 1913 in the Fisher Government; during this time, he also helped establish the Commonwealth bank. Amy O’Malley had a core value and interest in woman’s rights, politics and effective management of the home. She often would support King and assist him through his different ideas and values. As a pair, they had strong beliefs that welfare came back to strong household management and good management of the home, alongside, cooking is a neglected art which is essential to every household for a healthy and happy life. Ultimately and unofficially, they are considered the founders of home economics. That was only a real brief explanation – their history is definitely more complex and interesting; but Michelle Parente has done an excellent job of finding their history and sharing it via the O’Malley Trust website ( https://www.omalleytrust.org.au/king-omalley ). Please give it a quick look if you’re interested because it is quite informative and important to understand a core part of Australian home economics history.

... and while you are here, feel free to leave a comment, and you could go into the draw to win a prize for the most interesting response. Winner announced at the start of June.

Olivia Bennett, HEIA(Q)