Cultural Gardens

21/08/2026

Our incredible Sathad a great day at our native flower art session at the Aboriginal Gathering Place in South Morang yesterday.

Using 15 types of native flowers handpicked from Sarah's garden, the elders learnt about native flowers and their traditional uses. They then had a go at flower pressing and smash art, creating some beautiful artwork on cards and calico bags.

We also had a great yarn about culture and connection and everyone shared their family history and their journey, which just goes to show it can take something as simple as a cultural workshop to really open up and connect.

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

We're looking forward to this one! Join us tomorrow for a native flower art session

See you there!

11/08/2026

Recently, we discovered , an audio walking experience that invites you to discover First Nations stories, voices and sounds connected to places across Naarm. We loved it so much we had to share it here!

As you walk through the landscape, you can listen to stories, songs, poems, historical recordings and soundscapes that belong to the places you are moving through. The stories are shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and community members, with a strong focus on lived experience and stories told by community, for community.

In Woi wurrung, Yalinguth means “yesterday”.
We think this is particularly beautiful because the idea behind the name is that we need to go back in order to go forwards.

It is an invitation to slow down, listen, and experience the landscape through stories that have been here long before us.

And perhaps that is something we could all do a little more of.

09/08/2026

Join us for a free bush tucker cooking class on Sunday, 30 August from 11am-1pm at Lalor Tennis Club as part of the Baliyang (meaning 'bat' in Woi-wurrung) Cultural Program.

Learn how to cook using native ingredients in the club's new Indigenous garden. Taste dips, dukkah and jams and cook your own damper over the fire, hosted by Cultural Gardens.

Bring back a bunch of recipes to use in your own kitchen and learn how to easily incorporate bush foods into your cooking.

Don't miss out! Bring your family and friends and join in the fun!

Register at https://events.humanitix.com/baliyang-bush-tucker-workshop

Proudly supported by a City of Whittlesea grant.

City of Whittlesea Lalor Tennis Club Cultural Gardens

   

06/08/2026

Bush bliss balls 🤤

If there's one thing we embody as a team, it's our passion for growing native food, cooking with it and, above all, tasting it!

This week we prepared a super fun workshop for a group of 4 year old kindy kids.

We talked about bush tucker, we smelled and tasted different ingredients, and together we made delicious Rosella and Davidson plum bliss balls.

It's such a blessing to be able to show others simple ways of connecting with Country.

If you want the recipe for these scrumptious bush bliss balls comment RECIPE and we will DM it to you ❤️

04/08/2026

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day and this year's theme is 'Living Our Truth', which celebrates the voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as the next generation of leaders. 👧🏽👶🏼🧒🏾👦🏼👧🏿👶🏻

It is also a powerful reminder of the importance of truth-telling for their identity, belonging and cultural strength, and of the sharing of knowledge and stories from our Elders and mob to the next generation. 🖤💛❤️

Together, we can ensure every child grows up safe, strong, connected to culture and supported to reach their full potential.

02/08/2026

Around 10 years ago, when Agus started her journey discovering how to grow and cook with bush tucker, this book by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan was one of the first books that inspired her.

The book combines recipes with cultural context. In it you will find more than 60 Australian native ingredients, explaining their flavour, traditional uses, where to buy them, how to grow them, and how to store them.

If you are looking for a cook book to add to your library, give this gem a go!

26/07/2026

PLANT OF THE WEEK
River Red Gum, also known as Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Today we are making some space to honour one of Australia's most iconic trees: the River Red Gum.

This tree can be found along waterways across Country creating habitat for countless birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and aquatic life.
Its hollows provide homes for owls, parrots, possums and bats.

For thousands of generations, River Red Gums have also held profound cultural significance for First Nations peoples. They have provided shade, shelter, tools, medicine and places for gathering, storytelling and ceremony. These remarkable trees are living witnesses to the deep and continuing connection between People and Country.

Their resilience is inspiring. River Red Gums can withstand drought, flood and fire, reminding us of the strength and adaptability of Australia's landscapes.

At Cultural Gardens, we believe every tree tells a story. This National Tree Day, we're shining a light on the River Red Gum because caring for these magnificent trees means caring for biodiversity, culture and future generations.

🌱 Plant a tree. Learn its story. Help protect Country.

Biodiversity AustralianNativePlants CulturalGardens