THE Narranga Public School Community Hub recently learned that many of its culturally diverse women members enjoy cooking but find it hard to get the ingredients for their traditional dishes, such as grape leaves for dolma.
The not-for-profit National Community Hubs Program helps bridge the gap between families and the wider community; connecting women with schools, with each other, and with organisations that can provide health, education, and support.
When Community Hubs Leader at Narranga Public School, Caitlin Mackie, heard about the Yazidi ladies’ need for grape leaves she approached Raleigh Winery.
Operators Brent and Belinda Watson were keen to fulfil their request.
“Raleigh Winery was very enthusiastic to have the participants from the Community Hub come and help them out by thinning the leaves for optimum grape and wine quality,” Ms Mackie told News Of The Area.
Students from nearby Raleigh Public School attended the harvesting, following the instructions on how to pick the grape leaves then handing them over to the women.
“The ladies [then] cooked Iraqi-style dolma in their commercial kitchen as a thank you.
“The [students] helped roll some of the dolma, which is filled with tomato, spices, lemon and rice and is rolled quite tightly, then steamed in large quantities.
“We made around 10 kilos that afternoon.
“Customers on the day enjoyed the food and the students came back for second and third helpings.”
Around 70 ladies from Syria, Iraq, China, Ethiopia and Congo attended, supporting each other and each taking home a bag of grape leaves to cook and preserve.
“Many ladies enjoyed their time with the students as their grandchildren haven’t joined them in Australia and live in Iraq, Germany or Turkey,” Ms Mackie said.
The event achieved the expected outcome of happy connections and the sharing of traditional international dishes.
Brent Watson told NOTA that the women were proud to share their traditions and culture.
“I know just how much good it does their souls to do things like picking grape leaves that their ancestors have done for thousands of years, and that links them to their former lives in Iraq and Syria.”
Ms Mackie plans to return in 2026 with another group of Community Hub refugee families.
By Andrea FERRARI
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