A new bush tucker garden featuring Indigenous plants has opened at Redland Hospital, creating a community space for visitors to enjoy.
The garden was built during NAIDOC Week celebrations, with plants and supplies donated by Bunnings Capalaba and Victoria Point.
The hard work was done by members of Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation, and their men’s group who helped build gardens, shovel soil and plant native fauna.
The garden provides a safe environment for First Nations peoples and their families to take a break while visiting the hospital.
Elder Ron Corbett said the plants were good for First Nations people to see.
“Planting some more trees will give our mob something to look at when they take a break while they are here,” he said.
“I was part of the original planting in 2019, so it’s good to see more natives going in.”
Ron said the garden now had more native species such as River Mint and Gumby Gumby.
Men’s group member Merv Gillespie said River Mint could be used practically in salads, cooking, and that it was also just good to chew on.
“Gumby Gumby has also been planted and has little blackberries and has been used as bush medicine,” he said.
Both men said they were looking forward to a future visit to the elders on Minjerribah to learn more about traditional uses of native plants.
“These plants are part of our heritage and serve practical purposes so we want to keep that
knowledge going,” they said.