Ever wanted to find out about Aboriginal bush tucker? Especially what grows where you are?
The new bush food section of Melton Botanic Gardens features contemporary and traditional food plants, and was officially opened earlier this month.
Friends of the Melton Botanic Gardens president John Bentley said the group always intended to include a dedicated bush foods section, but plans have been fast-tracked thanks to a re-design of the gardens, some extra funding and the efforts of the work experience team from MatchWorks.
The traditional tucker includes roots, grasses, seeds and flowers that were used by Aboriginal communities, while the contemporary section features bush foods that have been used in contemporary cooking from the 1970s.
“The role of the botanic gardens is to educate and undertake scientific studies, be open to the public and have a conversation about plants,” Mr Bentley said. “With this section, we’re educating people about how Aboriginal people used bush foods.
“If it weren’t for plants, we wouldn’t exist,” he said. “Everything in the food chain depends on plants.”
The $25,000 bush food garden was planted over several months, with 10 people working on its every day.
Sumeyya Ilanbey
