Indigenous garden and yarning circle

Opening and Cleansing Ceremony

The Indigenous Garden and Yarning Circle has been an ongoing project of the Student Representative Council for two years. The students have been passionate and persistent in their efforts to create this beautiful space for the school community which has great significance: the yarning circle design was developed with the advice and assistance of our local Koorie Engagement Support Officers, Seth Nolan, Mark Lumley, and Arbup Peters. 

The space is meant to honour the Aboriginal tradition of education through story-telling, sharing with community, and connecting with nature. We hope that teachers will enjoy using the seating for outdoor classes when the weather is nice, and that students will enjoy the small-group seating during break times. We hope that each time the yarning circle is used, we will stop and reflect that we live, work, and study on Wurundjeri land and acknowledge the importance of working towards reconciliation with all First Nations Australians.

All new vegetation in the garden, which was planted earlier this year by our hard-working SRC reps, are indigenous plants of the Kulin Nation, including Bulbine Lilies, Chocolate Lilies, Cut Leaf Daisies, Austral Stork's Bill, and many more! It is our intention to include more Indigenous food-producing plants later this year, in the hopes that future students and staff of the Food Technology Department can enjoy harvesting and learning to cook with native ingredients. 

I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following people who supported us throughout the planning and execution of this project: SRC reps Jimi Kloot, Fatima Ali, and Justine Hong. These students are the heart of the SRC Garden Team and have worked consistently to see this project through, week-in and week-out! Felicity Shiel-Jones and the BHHS Marrung Reconciliation Team, who helped us with the design and advised us many times throughout this project. The BHHS Principal Team for always supporting us, especially Michael Oaten and Gregory Breese for helping arrange the transportation of the heavy yarning circle stones! This feature is very special and couldn't have happened without you. 

And last, but certainly not least, Mr Mark Lumley for conducting the Cleansing Ceremony held on 10 September. It was an incredibly special and moving experience for all in attendance, and we look forward to continuing our reconciliation journey with you.