Tyapa Kurra Kahl bush tucker garden officially opened

Published on 02 October 2025

First Nations residents now have a safe space for cultural learning and connection following the official opening of the Tyapa Kurra Kahl (meaning “to plant on Country”) bush tucker garden.

Festivities occurred at Mallee District Aboriginal Service’s Kerang base yesterday to mark the official opening of the garden, made possible thanks to Emergency Recovery Victoria as part of the Gannawarra Flood Recovery Program. Funding was also contributed by the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit, Mallee District Aboriginal Service Kerang, Northern District Community Health and the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal.

Featuring plants from Barapa Barapa Country, alongside native species from across Australia that are valued for their traditional uses in medicine, food, weaving, and tool making, Tyapa Kurra Kahl will be open to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, as well as visitors, to learn, reflect, and connect.

ABOVE: Representatives from Gannawarra Shire Council, Kerang District Health, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Northern District Community Health joined the Aboriginal community in celebrating the opening of the Tyapa Kurra Kahl bush tucker garden.

“Council is pleased to have supported the local Aboriginal community in establishing Tyapa Kurra Kahl, which will foster cultural connection and belonging,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Enabling greater connection to Country will foster improved social and health benefits for the local Aboriginal community and the garden space will also enable residents and visitors to learn about First Nations culture, which spans more than 60,000 years.”

ABOVE: The opening of Tyapa Kurra Kahl also saw the signing of an updated Partnership Agreement between Council, local health agencies, Victoria Police and local Elders, committing all parties to maintaining and enhancing positive relationships with Aboriginal peoples living in the Gannawarra.

The opening of the garden also saw Council, local health agencies and Victoria Police recommit to maintaining and enhancing positive relationships with Aboriginal peoples living in the Gannawarra by signing an updated Partnership Agreement between all parties.

First developed in 2016, the reviewed Partnership Agreement outlines 14 principles that the Kerang Aboriginal Elders and Leaders Group, Gannawarra Shire Council, Northern District Community Health, Kerang District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Victoria Police will strive to work towards.

“The previous versions of the Partnership Agreement have led to all signatories working together and influencing major initiatives, such as the local National Reconciliation Week celebrations, development of the Welcome to Country video, and the Tyapa Kurra Kahl bush tucker garden,” Mr Rollinson said.

“The updated agreement will build on this work and support Council’s efforts to achieve the goals outlined in the Gannawarra Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.”

TOP: The Tyapa Kurra Kahl bush tucker garden will be open to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, as well as visitors, to learn, reflect, and connect.