The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) has announced Wildflower Gardens for Good (Wildflower) as the successful recipient of its Leading Community Demonstration Site (LCDS) funding for 2024–2027.
Wildflower is an Aboriginal owned and managed social enterprise that centres their work on cultural placemaking and landscaping maintenance services – with a focus on providing land care services that embed Aboriginal land management principles and culture. Their planned initiative, Dyiramill Guguburra (Wiradjuri language for “Charming Kookaburra”), will provide gardening, land care support while improving social connectedness between young people and older members of the Aboriginal community in Sydney.
Dyiramill Guguburra will support Aboriginal tenants in the community to develop a sense of connection and empowerment in maintaining their property spaces while staying connected to culture and their community.
At today’s announcement in Redfern, AHO Chief Executive Famey Williams said, “The AHO’s LCDS program supports Aboriginal organisations to lead innovative projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of co-designing with community and culture at the centre. The program enables culturally appropriate program design which traverses socioeconomic barriers, supporting our strategy in partnering with Aboriginal organisations to identify and develop effective support services.”
“While a safe and affordable house provides a strong foundation for people to thrive, offering opportunities like LCDS that deliver social and wellbeing benefits, and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, results in further positive outcomes for community.”
Director of Wildflower Roman Deguchi said, “Being awarded the LCDS grant is a great opportunity to bring people together, provide new opportunities for Mob and ensure community housing tenants are supported.”
Director of Wildflower Matthew Coe said, “With this collaborative opportunity we can now implement a community-centred support system that will improve the wellbeing of residents and foster stronger connection to culture and community.”
As part of the project, Wildflower aims to provide culturally safe and long-term employment opportunities to members of the Aboriginal community
The AHO’s Strong Family, Strong Communities (SFSC) strategy supports better outcomes with Aboriginal people and families by facilitating partnerships across human services agencies, Aboriginal organisations and creating opportunities for economic participation.
The Leading Community Demonstration Site (LCDS) project – part of SFSC – delivers a new service model for Aboriginal families who may need support with housing needs, whilst addressing other needs identified by the community.
LCDS project funding is $550,000 over three years. The LCDS evaluation panel assessed competitive EOIs from across NSW and thanks all Aboriginal organisations who submitted applications.
About Wildflower’s project
Over 2024 – 2027 Wildflower’s Dyiramill Guguburra project aims to provide regular cultural land care services and social connection support based on peoples needs – nurturing community solidarity and connection.
The Dyiramill Guguburra project will focus on implementing an inclusive support system for older community members while creating a knowledge exchange between young people while this work takes place, a key cultural value among Aboriginal communities.
Wildflower will showcase the value of embedding this innovative intergenerational support system, showcasing the importance of holding strong linkages to culture and community in addressing social, economic and cultural needs.
