Yarning Circle at RMC Duntroon
A new Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker garden has recently been established within the grounds of Duntroon Gardens in Canberra, with GML engaged to consult with the Ngunnawal community on the project.
The Yarning Circle project was driven by the Defence Indigenous Liaison Officer for RMC Duntroon, along with support from the Ngunnawal community and the Indigenous Champions of each of the Defence forces, Air Force, Navy and Army.
GML’s team in Canberra, led by Principal Martin Rowney, was engaged to consult with the Ngunnawal community in agreeing the design and planning of the project.
The Yarning Circle was formally opened on Friday 12 May 2023 by the Defence Deputy Secretary of Security and Estate, and Indigenous Champion, Ms Celia Perkins, along with Ngunnawal elders. A smoking ceremony was performed by Senior Ngunnawal elder, Mr Wally Bell with a Welcome to Country given by Mr Cheyne O’Halloran. Among the forty guests were the Chief of Defence Force, and the Chiefs of each of the three Defence services.
The Yarning Circle was dedicated for the use of the wider community and the Defence tri-services as a place of peace and reconciliation for current and future generations of Defence personnel, the First Nations community and the wider community in general.
