“They can now carry that cultural knowledge” – Celebrating the garinga djimbayang project

Right from the beginning, the mantra of our garinga djimbayang ‘Growing Traditional Foods on Gunaikurnai Country’ project has been “from little things, big things grow.”

Those big things that grow can be plants and trees, but they can also be ideas, goals, opportunities, and hope.

The green shoots that emerged from the garinga djimbayang project over the past year were on full display last month when the GLaWAC Rangers and men from Wulgunggo Ngalu that participated in the program came together at GLaWAC for a special presentation to acknowledge their efforts.

garinga djimbayang was a year-long cultural and educational journey that saw participants learn about the plants that Aboriginal people have used for food, medicine and cultural practices.

Thanks to a partnership between GLaWAC, Wulgunggo Ngalu, Agriculture Victoria and TAFE Gippsland, the men undertook a hands-on, accredited training guided by Aboriginal traditional knowledge and practices.

The program included field trips to the Yanun Wanduin’ Indigenous garden in Yinnar, Cranbourne Gardens, the Sale Community Seed Garden and the Knob Reserve.

Along the way the fellas received the cultural support and guidance of Uncle Lloyd Hood, and of Aunty Doris Paton who shared her stories and knowledge about traditional bush foods and medicines that had been passed down through her family.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Wulgunggo Ngalu General Manager Shaun Braybrook said he hoped this moment of learning could cause a positive ripple to flow through these men’s lives.

“The things they’ve learned – what is a yam daisy, what is a mountain pepper – they can now carry that cultural knowledge home with them,” he said. “Being able to carry cultural knowledge is very important for our Aboriginal men.”

“By being involved in programs like this, they also learn how to better act, and better be. Today, my message to these men is ‘be proud, stand tall, and most importantly, lead.’”

Congratulations to GLaWAC’s Natural Resource Management Rangers Jake Atkinson, Michael Atkinson and Jared Browne who were also able to complete their Certificate II in Horticulture through the garinga djimbayang program.

As they say, from little things, big things grow.