Bundanon has today announced Marring Country, a new First Nations-led native nursery created and operated by Marring, with the support of a valued partnership between Marring and Bundanon.
Marring Country will propagate local native plants for use across Bundanon and the wider region.
Marring Country will also be a place for knowledge to be shared, skills to be developed and culture to be practised on Country. The project will create opportunities for Marring community members to build horticultural and land management skills, while supporting the continuation of First Nations knowledge of local plants.
The project has been made possible through support from the NSW Government, helping establish the foundation for a long-term initiative that will deliver environmental, cultural and economic benefits across the region.
Ray Timbery, Marring CEO said “Marring Country is about more than growing plants. The nursery is about growing knowledge, skills and opportunities for our mob while contributing to the health of Country. I want to create places where cultural knowledge can be shared and practised on Country. We’re looking forward to seeing where this can go and what it can mean for future generations.”
Marring Country will form part of the ongoing land care and cultural work undertaken across Bundanon, providing locally grown plants for revegetation and restoration while creating a space for learning, connection and cultural practice.
Rachel Kent, Bundanon CEO said “Marring Country is an important project for the organisation’s commitment to working in collaboration with First Nations communities to care for Country. The nursery will grow for many years to come. It brings First Nations knowledge, environmental care and opportunity together in a very practical way. Bundanon is proud to be working alongside Marring and to support their leadership.”
Marring Country stands as a working example of what’s possible when First Nations voices are listened to genuinely. As the partnership between Marring and Bundanon matures, both organisations envision the nursery as a living project shaped by community, culture and respect.
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ABOUT BUNDANON
Bundanon acknowledges the people of the Dharawal and Dhurga language groups as the traditional owners of the land within our boundaries, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.
Established in 1993, Bundanon was gifted to the Australian people by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, representing one of the most significant acts of philanthropy in the history of the arts in Australia. Bundanon is located on 1,000 hectares of bush and parkland overlooking the Shoalhaven River, on the South Coast of New South Wales, two and a half hours from Sydney.
Bundanon’s mission is to operate the property as a centre for the creative arts and education, for scientific research and a place to explore landscape and engage with First Nations history and culture.
In 2022, Bundanon opened its purpose-built Art Museum, Bridge for Creative Learning and wider infrastructure to the public, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA).
The Art Museum presents three major exhibition seasons each year, encompassing a diverse array of contemporary practices across a range of disciplines, contextualised by the significant historical legacy of Bundanon’s Art Collection. The exhibitions are presented alongside expansive live programs, accommodation and dining experiences.
Bundanon’s live programs reflect its engagement across artforms, encompassing artist talks and workshops, performances, dance, concerts and festival events. Highlights include the Boyd Music Series in partnership with Sydney Opera House, celebrating Australian and international chamber music against the unique backdrop of the Bundanon landscape.
Bundanon’s residency program and its learning programs are an investment in Australia’s future. The Learning program is inclusive and designed for all ages and welcomes over 5,000 school students for day or overnight visits each year.
Bundanon’s Artists in Residence program is the largest program of its kind in Australia and spans a 30-year history. Every year, more than 300 artists and researchers from across artistic disciplines are in residence, embracing the visual and performing arts, literature, science, dance, music and environmental research. This provides important career opportunities for artists and researchers to develop their work in an inspiring environment.
Bundanon is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development Communications, Sport and the Arts.
For more information visit www.bundanon.com.au
ABOUT MARRING
Marring is an Aboriginal-owned professional cultural organisation and community hub based in South Nowra, New South Wales. The name Marring translates to “People”, reflecting the organisation’s focus on culture, community, connection and creating opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Marring represents a collective of Dharawal Traditional Custodians dedicated to cultural revitalisation, reconciliation, and education.
Marring is built on the philosophy of Buwindyala—the “way of Marring”—which turns story, personal responsibility, and heritage into active, living leadership. The organisation functions as a close-knit, family-oriented business employing family, friends, and local knowledge holders.
The organisation was officially founded in 2020 by Raymond “Ray” Timbery. Timbery was heavily inspired by the legacy of his grandfather, Uncle Laddie Timbery, and the resilience of older generations who preserved cultural protocols through immense challenges. Driven by a strong matriarchal lineage deeply rooted in the Shoalhaven region, Raymond established the enterprise to pass ancestral knowledge on to the next generation while bridging relations between First Nations people and non-Indigenous communities.
For more information visit www.gadhungalmarring.com.au
