‘Gardening transcends age and background’: ECH’s bush tucker garden

A leading retirement living and home care provider is fostering cultural knowledge and emphasising the health benefits of native plants through a new bush tucker garden.

During National Reconciliation Week, ECH officially opened the garden to residents living at Modbury Retirement Villages Encore apartments in South Australia.

Buandig woman Leanne Williams led a tour of the garden's edible native flora and bush foods, followed by an indigenous-inspired afternoon tea for the 50 attending ECH residents.

"It's about the Elders and older people," ECH chief Claire Scapinello told Aged Care Insite.

"The bush tucker garden is a sensory journey, offering a glimpse into the rich and vibrant history of Aboriginal culture.

"By walking beside Aboriginal people, we honour their traditions, learn from their wisdom, and build a stronger, more harmonious society."

Australia has over 5,000 edible native plants, such as the native finger lime, lemon myrtle, lilly pilly, tucker bush cherry and Warrigal greens.

Bush tucker, or bush food, refers to any edible flowers and plants endemic to Australia traditionally consumed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

For nearly 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have used these plants for nutrition and medicinal purposes using various cooking techniques.

Ms Scapinello said the bush tucker garden symbolised ECH's dedication to inclusivity, diversity, and social connections within our community.

"Through the cultivation of native flora, we nourish both our bodies and our understanding of the land's heritage," she said.

"Gardening transcends age and background, bringing people together to celebrate the beauty and significance of native botanicals."

ECH's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group focuses on initiatives to learn more about Aboriginal culture and actively implement the provider's reconciliation action plan.

The reconciliation plan was set up in 2020 to design and provide accessible and culturally safe services and employment by respecting and representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews.

The working group decided to transform two community gardens into a Bush Tucker garden, led by Leanne Williams, an Aboriginal horticulturist from Mount Gambier.

"It was crucial for us to incorporate an Indigenous voice and influence into our care services to deliver culturally sensitive care," Ms Scapinello said.

ECH is a leading profit-for-purpose aged-care provider that delivers care to over 15,000 Australians across nearly 2,000 independent living units across 110 retirement villages.

While the Bush Tucker gardens are still in their early stages, the ECH team encourages residents to incorporate native bush tucker into their cooking as the garden grows.

Ms Scapinello said it's already been a 'remarkable success.'

"We've noticed that gardening resonates with our residents – they are fond of it.

"It's allowing them to explore the unique flavours of plants like native mint and basil.

"In our pursuit of reconciliation, the Bush Tucker Garden stands as a symbol of respect, collaboration, and shared learning."

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