Visitors to the Broken Hill Wellbeing Place will soon feel an even more calming presence when they take a step into the space thanks to the creation of a special, cultural garden.
While yet to receive its final name, the Native Barkindji Edible & Medicinal Wellbeing Garden, will be utilised diversely, from nature-based counselling to cultural learnings, cross-cultural relationship strengthening and an abundance of community gatherings into the future.
The idea for the project first came about between RFDS South Eastern Section (RFDSSE) Senior Aboriginal Health Worker and proud Barkindji/Malyangapa man David Doyle and landscape architect Sophie Zaccone were working on a field guide to native local plants with edible or medicinal properties.
After talking with the team at the Wellbeing Place, the idea was sparked of using this knowledge to create a Native Barkindji Edible & Medicinal Wellbeing Garden at the Broken Hill Wellbeing Place.
“Overall, we’ve been working on this for about a year and it’s wonderful to see the garden come together,” David said.
Works also started on an art installation called ‘ancestors gathering’ - where the garden is - created by local Barkindji woman Tannya Quayle of Menindee and recently the community came together to help cultivate all the wonderful plants.
Earlier this year Mental Health Manager, Vanessa Latham accompanied David and Sophie to the International Community Psychology Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay.
While there, the group showcased the Barkindji Native Garden Project and the Flying Doctor’s supportive role in advancing First Nations Traditional knowledge and practice being developed and shared.
The ancestors gathering art installation was also the inspiration of a mandala David created at Menindee lakes and replicated in Uruguay at the conference.
After being a part of these important cross-cultural projects, it is Vanessa’s hope now that the wellbeing garden can too become a central and safe space for the community.
“I want the community to feel ownership of the space, particularly the First Nations community and to feel able to utilise it for gatherings, events, education, fun and wellbeing practices,” Vanessa said.
We are grateful to Landcare Broken Hill who propagated the plants, and to Southstate Industrial Supplies for lending us the machine and muscle to move our planters into place. We also thank everyone who gave up their time to help create this special place.
Support was also given from Create NSW, the NSW State Government, Far Western Health District and many others who have contributed to the knowledge, design and construction of this space.
