A shark swimming om a small Tupperware container in Dubbo got plenty of attention from students visiting the city from smaller schools out west recently, and that was the whole point of the exercise.
The students were here as part of the GROW Program which is being run by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). It aims to see new aquaponic systems set up in remote communities, creating multiple positive health outcomes, as well as sparking new opportunities.
Aquaponics combines aquaculture, which is growing aquatic animals, with hydroponics where plants are cultivated in water.
Ian Cambell from Aqualife Industries has set up aquaponic systems around the world and says the benefits are numerous.
"We really have to change our culture to one where we have more of a hunting mentality," Mr Campbell said.
"Aquaponics can really engage the kids. They see the relationship between growing fresh food and doing it with scant available resources."
He believes we an create a culture where people grow fish in their backyards with the added benefits of growing our own fresh vegetables too.
"We're explaining to the schools all about aquaponics and how to grow fresh fish and vegetables in remote communities and outback communities where they have little water, so it's all about water saving and also trying to get some industry back into these rural communities."
The job is made all the easier because "everyone loves fish and wants to eat fish", Mr Campbell added.
Dave Honeysett has set up the GROW Program for the RFDS and says the educational and social aspects could make profound positive changes to peoples' lives.
"It's a program with eight different modules, all aimed at education and growth for children: early intervention, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, education, cultural and just teaching kids about the values of healthy eating and the values of aquaponics in these remote, drought-affected Dubbo photo news areas," Mr Honeysett explained.
He described the demonstrations shown to the students as both a bridging tool and an engagement tool. "Ian brought the shark and the starfish along and the kids got to touch and feel.
"That same effect will occur when the aquaponics systems are in place - they'll be able to feed the fish, they'll be able to grow the food, the vegetables, they'll be able to harvest it, and they'll be able to share it amongst the community as well.
"We want to make this a model that can be used in any location throughout not only NSW, but Australia, and then ultimately anywhere else. it's got amazing potential to go anywhere across the globe, but at the moment our focus is just getting this up and running. this is a pilot program."
Ian Campbell also said that getting people interacting with nature, "Vitamin N", is a critical strategy for engaging people who are struggling with mental health issues - and he says the concept is incredible underrated.
"I believe there'll be far fewer issues if everybody is engaged in farming fresh vegetables. There's a sense of pride in it and to be able to do it in your own back yard with the least amount of water is actually what this continent needs - the whole place needs it," Mr Campbell said.
"I'm so glad that the flying doctors are actually engaging in this project and I reckon it's going to be a real winner because of the RFDS has only one priority, and that is for a healthy Australia."
The RFDS GROW Program is piloting in remote communities fro Wilcannia, Gulargambone, Trangie and Warren, according to Dave Honeysett. He's looking forward to seeing remote communities embracing aquaponics and seeing how much the system can help in these small towns.
