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Fight for school farm program

Countryman

Action group Leading Ladies has called on the wider community to support Lockridge Senior High School in its battle to retain a viable amount of land to run its agriculture program.

The Lockridge Senior High School Farm has been operating since 1984, and the school is one of only two in metropolitan Perth offering agricultural courses.

Earlier this year, the State Government announced plans to build a disability justice centre on part of the land the school uses for farming, leaving less than the minimum of eight hectares required to ensure the program remains sustainable.

Leading Ladies president Lauren Celenza urged people to sign a petition to be presented to Parliament later this year, signalling public discontent with the plan.

"As a community, we need to stand up for initiatives like the Lockridge Senior High School Farm for the benefit of future generations," she said.

"We already face a situation where many children do not know where the food on their plate comes from - a sad reflection of the importance society places on those who dedicate their lives to feeding the rest of us."

Leading Ladies is an action group dedicated to teaching young people about where their food comes from.

A copy of the petition will be available to sign at the upcoming Leading Ladies cocktail dinner and panel discussion on September 5.

"With so few opportunities for city-based children to experience the agricultural industry, it is essential for programs like Lockridge's to be retained," Ms Celenza said.

"Without it, not only is the future of the school itself in jeopardy, but we will lose an essential link between urban and rural - a divide which is already far too big."

To sign the petition, email savelockridgefarm@gmail.com or call WAFarmers marketing and communications officer Leslee Hall on 9486 2100.

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