University of queensland reconciliation garden

Established in 1939, the Mayne Medical Centre at University of Queensland is the only medical school in Queensland. Situated at the rear of the building, the Reconciliation Garden is the first stage of a master plan which aims to provide open spaces that will embrace and celebrate Indigenous culture and place, with a forward focus on learning opportunities to enable connection, collaboration and reflection.

As an educational environment, opportunities abound to foster understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture, history and modes of learning. Local Elders were involved in the design process, working with the design team to unpick the site narrative and develop key elements of the garden design. The design had to comply with the site’s heritage listing with existing heritage elements retained and integrated into the new works, including the concrete staircase, fence, and concrete edging.

Located within Faculty of Medicine, the design team took the innovative approach to incorporate ancient elements of ‘Bush Medicine’ into the planting palette to give medical student the opportunity to learn about the healing properties of plants and their traditional uses. Working with Yuggera Ugarapul Elder Gaja Kerry Charlton, species chosen include Clerodendrum floribundum (Lolly Bush) and Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash) referred to for their respective properties that may help soothe headaches and inflammation.

The Reconciliation Garden Steering Committee, made up by Traditional Owners and UQ staff from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit and School of Public Health were the project drivers, engaging the design team due to their experience in cultural co-design and collaboration. From the earliest stages, the landscape architecture team, including their Indigenous Landscape Strategist, worked with Gaja Kerry and University representatives to develop the narrative. In later stages, decisions were made in close collaboration with all stakeholders, to ensure best outcomes for the project in materials and construction methods.

The Traditional Owners recognise this as a place of welcoming for local Indigenous students and staff – the combination of materiality, planting technique and the design narrative combine to create a culturally safe place, where the imposing post-colonial architecture is softened by the new Reconciliation Garden enabling connection, collaboration and reflection.

With the discovery of a native beehive within the existing log circle that was established by Indigenous UQ students at the front of the Mayne Building, the design team researched the importance of native bees in Yuggera dreaming and their essential role in local ecology and plant pollination. Found in Herston and nearby Mt Coot-tha, which roughly translates to ‘Kuta’ or honey in some Indigenous dialects, the native bees inspired several elements within the space.

Located at the rear of the campus, the first stage of the garden spans 600m2 and features a series of seating options where groups of all sizes can gather. Accessible and inviting spaces, include the gathering circles designed throughout to encourage people face each other, provide an alternative for smaller groups and individuals to collaborate in the space.