Their business name Baalijin Jagun means Bellingen Country, and with the support of Third Space Mob, the Aboriginal Education think tank, students will be learning and gaining credit for real-world business skills while learning and celebrating Indigenous culture.

Jenni Farrands from Third Space Mob and teacher Fiona McAulay are coordinating the venture.

“We hope to use profits for our Aboriginal Education programs, for example, for Elders and community knowledge holders to work with our students and to be acknowledged for their expertise as 'cultural professors' and workshop facilitators,” Fiona McAulay said.

“Also to help fund our Gumbaynggirr and other Country field trips, which form a crucial part of our Gumbaynggirr Ways of Learning.”

‘We also hope to involve students from a broad range of subject areas:  Aboriginal Studies, Business Studies and Careers. For example, many of the students have already completed their Safe Food Handling Accreditation.

The label artwork on the bottles of cordial is by McKye Tucknott, a young Biripi man. Other students who have been working on production are Louie Tumsithi, Milah Hollingsworth, and Brooklyn French.

“They are a mixture of Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids, which is our aim,” Ms McAulay said.

”All going well, the Lemon Myrtle Cordial is just the beginning.  A few outlets around Bello have supported us and are going to promote and sell it. There will be a market stall at The Artisan Markets at Bellingen Showground on 9th December.

“It’s a great boutique product, made with love, perfect as a Christmas present, retailing at about $10 a bottle. It makes 3+ litres and is super refreshing.”