16 Feb 2023
Ngiyambandi means "Ours, belonging to everyone". It is the name given to the Gumbaynggirr garden and outdoor learning space at Bellingen High. We started working on the area in 2019. Our school program includes Gumbaynggirr Learning classes, in which we focus on Aboriginal Ways of Learning. These include story sharing, experiential learning, using symbols and images and focusing on community and links to country.
The plants selected for our garden are all local species that are recognised food, medicine, fibre or tool making sources or important indicators of seasonal change. Students are encouraged to keep a seasonal calendar journal, illustrating it with their own recording of the links between flora and fauna in our local area.
The Seasonal Calendar mural design was completed by students with Nellie Gallop and is based on the work of Chels Marshall, Ricky Buchannan, Uncle Tony Perkins and Arrawarra Cultural Centre. The inspiration came from a similar (coastal) work created at Scotts Head Public School.
The Ngiyambandi web site is now being developed by students of Bellingen High School. It is a supplement to the garden with the aim of raising student, staff and community awareness of local plant species and the deep environmental knowledge of Gumbaynggirr people. Many plant species in this list have no Gumbaynggirr name identified. It is thus an ongoing project where further cultural knowledge will be added after consultation with appropriate Elders. It is also a useful conversation starter in asking the question "Why do the Gumbaynggirr names not appear?"
Pronunciation of Gumbaynggirr words is provided by Uncle Micklo Jarrett who is also liaising with Muurabay Language Centre and other knowledge-holders’ to update information.
The site can be viewed at https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/ngiyambandi-bellingen-high-sch/home
In 2020 the project extended beyond the garden to include Ngiyambandi Yamaan: Our Creek, where some of the bigger plant species are located. Some funding for this came from a Sustainable Schools Grant, which also allowed for signage and each species now has a sign with QR codes that link to the relevant page of the website. We hope this will help new generations learn the importance and cultural significance of our local flora.
We are looking forward to the continued development of Ngiyambandi with time, seasonal change and the shared knowledge of Gumbaynggirr people.
