Sharing stories
Sharing stories is a way to celebrate the strength, knowledge and participation of First Nations people in Victoria’s agriculture sector. For thousands of years, First Nations people in Victoria have nurtured and cared for Country, and developed deep expertise in sustainable food systems, resource management, and cultural food practices that provide the inspiration for their stories.
By highlighting First Nations people’s stories, we amplify the voices of people building careers and participating in agriculture, and honour elders and ancestors who have played a role in shaping the agriculture sector in Victoria.
From nurseries and native food enterprises to market gardens, cultural land management and new agribusiness ventures, these stories showcase the diversity, innovation, and enduring connection to Country that define First Nations agriculture in Victoria.
garinga djimbayang – Sharing stories of First Nations peoples’ connection to agriculture
Through short videos and written stories, we meet First Nations people who are working in Victoria’s agriculture sector in a range of roles and organisations. They share how they entered the industry, the skills and knowledge they bring to their roles and how they feel connected to Country. These stories aim to inspire more First Nations people to training and jobs in the agriculture sector and to show what a career in agriculture can be.
Select a tile below to watch or read each story. You can download and share the videos and stories to promote First Nations peoples’ connection to agriculture, or in conversations about careers, skills and training across the sector.
garinga djimbayang means to grow and learn in Dja Dja Wurrung Language. Agriculture Victoria thanks Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation for allowing the use of their language to name this program.
Meet Josh Williams
Ngarrindjeri and Narungga man Josh Williams was previously a landscape gardener who had travelled the world extensively but felt the pull to do something different – something more connected to Country and sustainable. Josh’s approach to market gardening has helped form a successful horticulture business.
Find out more about Josh’s storyMeet Chris Harris
Chris Harris is a proud Ngiyampaa man who started his career as a tradie but now spends his days at Yumburra Farm.
A conversation about spending time on Country with his aunties and uncles. learning about traditional foods and caring for Country, paved the way to a role as Farm Manager at Black Duck Foods.
Find out more about Chris’s storyMeet Dede Atkinson
Wool industry worker Dede Atkinson is a Yorta Yorta and Wilthica woman from the Bangerang tribe in Echuca, Victoria. Dede is building on her experience as a rouseabout and shearer by undertaking a wool classing course. With another skill under her belt, she will now be able to fill any role in the shearing shed.
Find out more about Dede’s storyMeet Lee James
Lee James is a proud Yorta Yorta man who manages the Starritt Road Farm in Mooroopna. The 40-acre farm is owned by the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative. Lee, along with local workers, has been working to regenerate the land, with a focus on planting local species, harvesting wildflowers and botanicals, and keeping bees to produce honey.
Find out more about Lee’s storyMeet the team at DJAKITJ
Find out how the Dja Dja Wurrung people are farming their land to bring culturally significant foods to the marketplace. Meet Dan, Rodney and Kolby, who all play a role on Country to bring success to a planned aquaculture venture. The team is also excited about the introduction of a short-course pilot program, showcasing aquaculture career opportunities and pathways.
Find out more about the DJAKITJ team’s storyMeet Aaron Bamblett
A Diploma in Agriculture is helping Gunditjmara man Aaron Bamblett with the skills he needs to manage several properties on Gunditjmara Country in south-west Victoria. Aaron’s strong commitment to learning has helped to build his practical knowledge and achieve on his career vision.
Find out more about Aaron’s storyMeet Noelly Atkinson
When Noelly Atkinson started out in the shearing industry, he never expected he would become a business owner managing his own team. Based out of Yorta Yorta country, Noelly loves the life he’s chosen in the shearing sheds and the career he has been able to build.
Find out more about Noelly’s storyMeet Elizabeth Mace
Elizabeth Mace, Traditional Owner and proud Wotjobaluk, Jupagulk and Jadawadjali woman, leads the team as Operations Manager at Dalki Garringa Native Nursery. Based on a strong history of work and qualifications in the horticulture sector, Elizabeth is driving the nursery’s transformation, instilling a culture of teamwork, learning based on a foundation of Traditional Knowledge and a deep respect for Country.
Find out more about Elizabeth’s storyMeet Dylan Kelly
Proud Barkindji Mutthi Mutthi Wangkumara man Dylan Kelly has been working at Worn Gundidj Nursery for the past 10 years. Find out why Dylan is passionate about traditional knowledge and bushfoods, and how working in horticulture has turned his life around, giving him a renewed connection to Country and to family.
Find out more about Dylan’s storyMeet Sharon Brindley
Entrepreneur Sharon Brindley is a proud Yamatgi, Noongar woman and a beacon of ideas and innovation. A cafe owner turned chocolate manufacturer, Sharon supports a First Nations supply chain of native food growers, scaling up the use of native ingredients in her First Nations chocolate brand Jala Jala Treats.
Find out more about Sharon’s storyMeet Chris Sheppard
After an earlier career working as a baker and pastry chef, Gundidjmara man Chris Sheppard started at Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative based in Warrnambool. Ten years later, he is now CEO. Chris shares how the co-operative’s nursery is not only opening up career pathways for First Nations people but also helping them learn about culture.
Find out more about Chris’s storyMeet Russell Adcock
Russell Adcock has a family legacy of droving cattle and as a horseman. Russell says that when he started to respect and read the bush, that’s when he started to respect himself. Russell has now passed on his droving skills to his kids and the importance of caring for Country.
Find out more about Russell’s story