Gardening Australia visits Dorchester

Lessons from the Land

SERIES 32 | Episode 30

Behind the walls of a juvenile detention centre in Sydney’s west, something special is happening. Young people are connecting with nature and plants and in some cases, culture in a specially built “Learning Circle”.  

Wiridjiribin Nura (Lyrebird Country) is the garden space incorporating the circle. The circle is a focal point and includes a bowl for fire at the centre with stones all around for sitting.  

There are three-paths through the garden representing “respect”, “patience” and “observation” – and these are the basic mantra for the space. Students from the centre have been involved with the building and planting of the space from the beginning and continue to take part in practical gardening and maintenance activities.  

Each plant in this space has a traditional use – for example bush tucker, tools, medicine and weaving.

More than 7 years ago, a committee from the Community and Justice Department decided a peaceful space was needed inside the centre. This committee included Uncle Dean Kelly (NSW National Parks and Wildlife), Uncle Ivan Wellington - Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and Peter Dawe (Youth Community Greening Coordinator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.)

Uncle Dean Kelly has been working with Indigenous youth for 30 years and takes on a mentoring role occasionally at the centre – particularly in the garden and Learning Circle. He works for Parks NSW as a Community Liaison Officer. He develops opportunities on country for young people including overnight camps – “teaching kids about culture.”

Teacher at the Dorchester Educational and Training Unit, Luciano Valeo (“Looch”) is closely involved and very passionate about the project. and the ongoing benefits to the students. The Learning Circle is used as a therapeutic space – including for counselling. He says it’s also for horticulture therapy and practical lessons like plant ID, propagation, looking at bush food. There’s also a separate space for growing vegies which are used in kitchen by a chef once a fortnight.

Peter Dawe is the Youth Community Greening Co-ordinator for Botanic Gardens Greater Sydney and has been involved in the garden program at Reiby since its development. He visits fortnightly to provide direction. He has worked in environmental education (for students and communities) for 30 years. Peter says this is the most successful program he is involved in. 

They wanted a place where young Aboriginal people could engage culture and connect to country and therefore create a stronger sense of identity. 

The Learning Circle

The circle is used for basic ceremony and mentoring – including visits of Indigenous Aunties and Uncles, and visiting politicians. 
Looch says the space is calm and is good for learning about jobs and responsibilities. “Whether it’s reading, talking to a mentor, mulching, pruning – there’s always an aspect of responsibility.”  Clarence has brought along a plant to add to the space. It’s Billardiera scandens or “apple berry”, a scrambling climber that produces small edible berries.

Uncle Dean Kelly says students have learnt to respect the space and everyone who’s there. “It’s not confronting for them and they have ownership.”  

“For some kids it’s their first in-depth look at culture – and they can engage and heal,” Looch says.

Some of the kids talk about the rewards of a space to be quiet and think, and to be surrounded by plants and feel free.

The success of the space has prompted other centres to replicate it and Dean is proud that the students have done most of the work.