Mansfield Sign 2 - Taungurung Land & Waters Council

Wumindjika (welcome) to Ngobi-an Gadhaba (learn together) garden created by Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network. Let’s introduce you to some of the plants used by local Aboriginal people for food, medicine, tools and fibre.

Mansfield is located on the lands of the Yowung-illam-balluk clan of the Taungurung Nation, the First People of the rivers, valleys and mountains of this region.

The project was developed by Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network and funded by the Korin Korin Balit Djak program of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and developed in partnership with the Mansfield Shire Council, Taungurung Land and Waters Council and local organisations.

Warning: When you see a berry or flower, please don’t pick or eat it as it may need special treatment and preparation before it can be safely used.

Buart

Commonly known as Common Tussock-grass (Poa labillardierei)

A dense, coarsely tufted grass forming large tussocks which grows to 1.2 m in height. Purplish florets appear on spreading spikelets 25 cm long and 15 cm wide, generally in spring. Various species of Poa occur across Taungurung Country. Leaf blades are fairly rigid and approximately 80 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. The fibre extracted from the stems is used to weave nets, dilly bags, baskets and mats.

Photo by Russell Best.

Marram Bu-iy

Commonly known as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)

A tufted, perennial, deep-rooted grass which can grow to 1 m in height and flowers in late spring and summer when it produces large, distinctive, red-brown spikelets on branched stems. Seed from the grass is ground and used to make flour for baking. The leaves and stems produce fibre for string used in the manufacture of fish nets.

Photos by Geoff Boyes

Aboriginal name unknown

Commonly known as Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis)

A spreading shrub to 2.5 m with long, slender, stiff stems and bluish-green pinnate leaves. Pea-like mauve to purple flowers appear in spring. The root of Austral Indigo is hammered and placed in water to stupefy eels and fish so they can be easily caught. The flowers, leaves and stems are also used for dyeing.

Photo by Kevin Sparrow.

Murrii Warr

Commonly known as Prickly Currant-bush (Coprosma quadrifida)

A slender, open, upright shrub growing to between 2-4 m in height, with small, prickly, crowded, olive-green leaves. Small, red berries appear from late spring to summer. They are sweet and slightly astringent and a popular food treat eaten raw or cooked.

Photo by James Booth.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time or support to the project.

Korin Korin Balit Djak program, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Taungurung Land and Waters Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Angus Durkin, Elegant Earth Landscape Design
Sue Ablitt, North East Ecology
Cathy Olive, Euroa Arboretum
Ambulance Victoria, Hume Region
Delatite Landcare Group
Gaye Sutherland, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

Project Committee Members: Melinda Dundas, Ann-Marie Fletcher, Vern Simsen, Angela ten Buuren (Franklin), Rosemary Brennan and Miranda Connaughton

References

Flora of Victoria DOI: https://vicflor.rbg.vic.gov.au
De Angelis, David 2005, Aboriginal Use Plants of Greater Melbourne Area, La Trobe University Environment Collective DOI: https://jimsoutback.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Aboriginal-Use-of-Plants-of-the-Greater-Melbourne-Area-David-De-Angelis-2005-9pgs.pdf
Nash, Daphne 2004, Aboriginal Plant Use in south-eastern Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Information Resource, Australian Government, Canberra, ACT.
Revegetation Guide for the Goulburn Broken Catchment, DOI: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/our-region/land_and_biodiversity/resources_publications/revegetation_guide_for_the_gbc

References

Resources

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