Diversity Garden Brought to Life!

Published 4th October 2024. Written by Maddison O’Brien

On September 19th, something truly remarkable unfolded at Putta Bucca Wetlands! Under the clear blue sky, a diverse group of local residents came together to breathe new life into the Diversity Garden, a project that’s been brought to life through the support of Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC), in partnership with the Local Aboriginal Land Council and Watershed Landcare.

This garden represents the beauty of collaboration, combining community needs with Indigenous knowledge and education. The idea was sparked by a conversation about how to make better use of a sunny, open area in the Wetlands. The goal was to create a space that not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also offers interactive and sensory experiences for everyone who visits.

“We wanted to design a garden that people could fully engage with—something you could touch, smell, taste, and really interact with. By creating a native garden, we’re not only providing vital habitat and food for local wildlife, but also an opportunity for people to connect with Wiradjuri knowledge and the long history of using these plants,” explained Maddison O’Brien, Local Landcare Coordinator with Watershed Landcare.

On that beautiful morning, over 20 eager volunteers turned up to help plant the first species. The day began with a powerful Welcome to Country by Wiradjuri woman Aleshia Lonsdale, who greeted everyone in her traditional language. Even before the first plant was in the ground, native bees had already discovered the bright yellow blossoms of the Bulbine lilies still sitting in their pots, a sign of the garden coming to life!

As the planting got underway, the group worked together on circular garden beds, each circle dedicated to specific uses such as food, medicine, tools, or habitat. While chatting and sharing stories, volunteers planted Yam daisies, a traditional Indigenous food source, alongside species like Dianella, Pigface, and Native mint. For medicinal purposes, tea tree varieties and more were planted, while Lomandra longifolia and Acacias, used in weaving and toolmaking, were carefully arranged.

The layout of the garden itself is inspired by the Wiradjuri symbol for ‘meeting place.’ This design will allow the garden to evolve with the changing seasons, making it a living space that grows and adapts, offering new ways for people to interact with the plants.

In less than an hour, the dedicated group had planted more than 100 native plants. Even the kids got stuck in, playing an essential role in the morning’s success. Afterward, the beds were mulched and given a good watering to help the plants settle in. The garden will continue to grow, and educational signage will soon be installed to help visitors learn more about these amazing species.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who made this day possible. Be sure to visit the Diversity Garden at Putta Bucca Wetlands and see how it’s thriving!