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MURNONG INDIGENOUS GARDEN Inc.

ABN: 81 638 949 729

PURPOSE

To establish and operate an Indigenous Plant Garden at Lismore to promote Reconciliation, Education and Tourism.

VISION

To design an Aboriginal garden which will enhance Reconciliation and assist the Victorian community to have an increased appreciation of the oldest continuing culture in the world. As an Indigenous educational and cultural site it will enrich the local community as an interpretative cultural centre for the community, the Shire and youth.

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES

1. It is proposed that the Murnong Aboriginal Garden will have a similar focus

to the Aboriginal garden established at Monash University by eminent ethno-botanist

Dr Beth Gott. It will feature a range of Indigenous Australian flora once used by the

First Peoples of this land for food, medicine, fibre, tools and other implements.

2. It will have a slightly different focus in that there will be a particular concentration on the original flora of the district that was used by the local Waddawurrung peoples for thousands of years.

3. It will be developed as an educational and cultural resource so each plant will be labeled using the Aboriginal name, then the common name in everyday use, and finally the botanical name. The labels will also indicate the use of the plant, e.g. food such as seed, leaf or tuber, medicine, tools and fibre for string nets, belts, baskets and binding. The Aboriginal name for each plant will also indicate, where possible, in which part of Australia the plant is found and the apprpriate language group.

4. This garden will have the capacity for schoolchildren, and other visitors, including tourists, to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the traditional life of Victoria’s First Peoples.

5. Whilst the garden design will promote reconciliation and education, it will encompass the five underpinning principles used by RMIT's Ngarara Place Garden: Connection to Country; Understanding and appreciation of Traditional Aboriginal Life; Cultural connections and Environmental appreciation and the transmission of knowledge

We have the support of the Traditional owners, the Waddawurrung People, Corangamite Shire, education authorities, and native vegetation groups.

The proposed garden site is on the former Croquet Club site at 30 William St, Lismore.

Committee:

Millicent Roberts (Chair)

Debora Morice

Jane Laidlaw

Valerie Lang, AM

Chris Lang

Supporters, and sadly missed:

Eleanor Bourke (Now retired from the Committee due to other commitments and will remain as a key member).

Prof. Colin Bourke, MBE (Sadly missed)

Membership

Contact the Secretary if you would like to become a Member or, just wish to help.

You can also join an email list of people who would like occasional updates of progress.

Go to our subscription page to subscribe.

Email, Secretary: vlang@ansonic.com.au

Ph: 0408 547015

Mail: 141 Skipton Rd, Lismore, Vic. 3324