Hampshire House

Hampshire House Unveils Our New Indigenous Bush Tucker Garden

This week at Hampshire House we celebrated National Reconciliation Week with the children and it was a wonderful opportunity to unveil our new Indigenous Bush Tucker Garden.

With assistance from a grant from the Woollahra Council we chose to create a beautiful connection to country  through the establishment of a new Indigenous Garden in our Preschool Playground, to replace a shady, under-utilised area . Interestingly the name Kambala is derived from “Kampa- Kala” meaning “Slushy muddy field” , a far cry from the Jewel on the Hill we see today. But how appropriate that the slushy, muddy corner of our playground has now been transformed into a proud Indigenous garden gracing the corner of our Preschool at Hampshire.

The design of the garden contains much Aboriginal symbolism and represents a dry river bed complete with pebbles, story stones, a meeting place and beautiful Indigenous Bush Tucker food. It is our hope that the garden will grow, nurture and educate all who enjoy and play in it. 

Our school motto “ ESTO SOL TESTIS” translates as “let the sun be your witness’. How appropriate our garden is to the very element required for growth and life. We have planted over fifty indigenous plants and over time this garden will grow tall and strong filled with the colour of flowers and foliage. A sanctuary and haven for play, imagination and curiosity, through nature.

We have named our new garden “ Binda”. It’s Aboriginal meaning is “a green space next to deep water”, which is so appropriate. We hope our children and “Binda” grow and flourish together. 

On a personal level it has been both a joy and a privilege to have been entrusted with designing and building “Binda” Many thanks to all the Kambala community involved. May this garden enrich the little corner and pay respect to our rich Indigenous history here at Kambala. 

Mr. Michael Standen

Hampshire House Chef