February 25 2026 | James Briggs | Program Manager | BNTAC | www.butchulllantac.org.au
On 16 February 2026, the Caring for Country (C4C) Team continued their important work nurturing the Butchulla Seasonal Garden at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery (HBRG). This ongoing project celebrates Butchulla knowledge, native flora, and the living cultural stories embedded in Country, right in the heart of the gallery precinct.
Developed in partnership between BNTAC, the HBRG team, and Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC), the garden reflects the deep connection between people, place, and seasonal cycles. Each plant has been carefully selected to represent traditional ecological wisdom and the natural rhythms of Butchulla Country.
The morning’s planting session brought together a dedicated group of staff and partners:
- C4C Team – leading the on‑ground planting works
- Travis Page – coordinating the project and providing planting guidance
- Sam Raveneau (HBRG) – assisting with preparation and planting support
- Jim (FCRC) – delivering and supplying native plant stock
This collaboration continues to strengthen the shared goal of promoting cultural visibility and restoring native biodiversity within public spaces.
Across the eastern and southern garden beds, the team successfully installed 40 new native plants, each chosen for its ecological and cultural significance. Planting followed horticultural best practice: proper soil preparation, weeding, spacing, depth, and thorough watering. Ensuring that all species were set up to thrive.
Species planted during the session included:
- Wongal – Geebung
- Djaga – Grasstree
- Bupu – K’gari Apple
- Sandfly Bush
- Finger Lime
- Blue Tongue
- Black Wattle
- Dundardum – Queensland Kauri Pine
- Banya – Bunya Pine
- Midgen – Midyim
- Red Silky Oak
- Deebing – Paperbark
- Queensland Cycas
- Thyme‑leaf Honeymyrtle
- Gululai – Coastal Cypress Pine
- Fringe Wattle
Each plant was positioned in alignment with the garden’s cultural and seasonal layout, honouring Butchulla knowledge of how Country changes and speaks throughout the year.
The Butchulla Seasonal Garden is more than a landscape, it is a living classroom, a cultural marker, and an ecological restoration project. The planting completed by the C4C Team contributes to:
Cultural Education – Visitors can learn about plants traditionally used by Butchulla people and their role in seasonal cycles.
Biodiversity & Habitat – The garden increases ecological value in an urban setting, supporting native species and natural processes.
Community Engagement – Schools, families, and visitors gain access to a living cultural resource that enhances understanding and connection.
Cultural Visibility – The garden strengthens the presence and recognition of Butchulla heritage within a prominent public space.
Visual & Landscape Value – The grounds surrounding HBRG continue to grow into a vibrant, culturally rich landscape.
The team completed all planting within the scheduled time and reported excellent garden bed conditions. To ensure healthy establishment, light weeding, routine watering, and monitoring of plant health are recommended over the coming weeks.
Future collaboration may also include the development of interpretive signage and cultural storytelling elements, further enhancing the educational and cultural experience for visitors.
The continued work of the C4C Team at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery represents a strong and growing partnership between community, culture, and Country. Each planting session deepens the story embedded in the space, creating a landscape that reflects the knowledge, resilience, and ongoing presence of the Butchulla people.