An Aboriginal organisation in Dubbo will create a new community hub and plant nursery to connect Aboriginal people to Culture with the support of a grant from Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
The Maldanha Miyagan: Pathways Together program will redevelop a block of crown land at Brocklehurst near Dubbo create a plant nursery with a focus on seed collection, propagation, cultural plant use and language. The project will also include the development of a community hub with workshop spaces, a retail site and café.
“Our new site will be a safe place for Aboriginal people to come together to learn about Aboriginal plant usage through our nursery and gain employment in many of our new programs,” said Robert Riley from Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation.
“They will build gardens, learn mechanical skills, work in the men’s shed and pass on this knowledge to our younger generation.”
“The project will help Close the Gap in a variety of ways around education, health, wellbeing, employment, youth justice, and out of home care.”
The grant will support the purchase and development of resources to run the nursery including a vehicle, fencing, a meeting room, installation of an irrigation system, and seed collection and propagation training for staff.
“Plants are very important to Aboriginal people for medicines, food, and tool and weapon making. The project will allow participants to be on Country learning how to collect seed then grow those seeds into plants.”
The project has been supported by a Community and Place – Closing the Gap 2023-2024 grant from Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
For more information about upcoming grant opportunities, please visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website.