The opening of Getjawil Garden in Torquay has seen the community come together – an ode to its Wadawurrung namesake, getjawil, meaning ‘many’.
Located at Nautical Linear Reserve, the community-led project is part of Surf Coast Shire Council’s Community Project Development Program.
Featuring edible Indigenous plants for locals to pick, eat and maintain, the space provides opportunities for people to come together, and learn from the garden.
Informative signage with details about the plants, the various species, and how to use them in cooking, feature throughout the newly installed space.
The community members who led the project, were able to source additional funding from Energy Australia to include a Yarning Circle within the garden.
This circle of seating rocks is based on the traditional meeting place of Australia’s First Nation where stories are shared, and all who come are considered equal.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles described it as “a space for enjoyment, and a space for many to come and connect, and to embrace”.
“The garden will help educate people so that they can understand what has been provided for us. Also that everything is here for a reason and holds a cultural significance purpose to the Wadawurrung, recognising Wadawurrung traditional foods,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Cr Liz Pattison said Corrina had been integral in the development of the garden.
“From providing input into the design of the yarning circle, advice about the plants selected, and the eventual naming of the garden. Corrina also performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony prior to works beginning,” Cr Pattison said.
“The opening was a fantastic celebration, and example of how the community can come together. It is also an important step in striving to continually work and walk alongside our First Nations people by providing a space where we can learn from the world’s oldest culture.”
Bill Ferguson from Lions Club Torquay said the members enjoyed working as one alongside multiple community groups, and Council.
“Like the garden itself, many people came together to make this possible. We held several working bees – from planting, selecting the rocks, and mulching days, we’ve been heavily involved,” Mr Higgins said.
“We think the garden will be a feature of Nautical Rise, and the Yarning Circle, a traditional place for First Nations people to sit and pass on knowledge, will be a place for the community to learn about the plants, and one another.”
Additional funding was sourced from Barwon Water through the WaterSmart Councils Program to provide a much needed irrigation system for the garden.
The project was jointly funded by Surf Coast Shire Council, Energy Australia, and Barwon Water.
