2024 National Reconciliation Week

At Turf, we recognise the power of reconciliation to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non–Indigenous peoples. First Nations stories and knowledge sharing is woven into design practices to deeply embed Country within the public domain. 

This year’s theme for Reconciliation Week  is ‘Now More Than Ever’, a reminder to all of us that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue. Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. Turf stands with the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES in the 2023 referendum and are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people.

We believe that education, knowledge sharing and storytelling is key in fostering reconciliation. Here we highlight a few of our recently built projects where Indigenous voices, culture and identity have been integrated into the design process and constructed public spaces.

Sub Base Platypus — Wirra Birra Park and Torpedo Factory
Cammeraygal Country, Eora Nation

The former HMAS Platypus site on Neutral Bay lays on Cammeraygal land, close to Kirribilli and Kurraba Point. In collaboration with Yerrabingin and Christian Hampson, Turf has developed a design approach for the Harbour Trust, bringing First Nations conversations, identity and stories into the design process. The work embeds local plant life and view lines of the coast, and incorporates symbols designed in workshops with young people from the local First Nations community that explore connections to Country. 

The workshops were delivered by Yerrabingin in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation. The removal of a large part of the Torpedo Factory provided a new opportunity to create a new harbourside park and landscape that interprets millennia old culture, but also modern and contemporary indigenous narratives, interpretation and art. 

Notably, the public artwork ‘Around the Curve’ by Dennis Golding demonstrates a celebration of culture, community and the deep affinities with our coastline and harbour. ‘Around the Curve’ enabled young First Nations artists to contribute to the creation of the three installation elements. The three connected artworks reflect the multifaceted histories of  the Sub Base Platypus harbourside site through light, colour and pattern.

Merrylands Civic Square 
Dharug Country, Eora Nation

Merrylands Civic Square opened in 2023  was designed to integrate and align with Connecting to Country principles. We all have the responsibility to care for Country, to respect and learn from Indigenous people. The design team included Indigenous knowledge holders and design thinkers, including Yerrabingin whose work has been collaboratively integrated into the scheme. Strong connections with the flora and fauna of the Merrylands area have been drawn upon and expressed in indigenous planting that celebrates the six D’harawal annual seasons. Artistically, Dharug artist Adam Laws’ work ‘Gadi Daramu Beneath the Trees’ explores the deep connection to Country through contemporary ‘carved tree’ patternation on the columns of the plaza canopies. Connection between sky, water and the ground plane flows together as one cycle. As rain falls onto the shade canopies, rain droplets flow down through the carvings,  into the ephemeral creek line, creating a meaningful connection with Country’s ecosystems. Additionally, Adam’s illustrations are sandblasted on large rock plinths along the creek line, reflecting flora and fauna of the Cumberland Plains. 

Leagues Club Park Gosford
Darkinjung Country

The Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council played a central role in the park’s design, working in close partnership with the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation and with Turf. Local Aboriginal culture is integrated in the design; the park’s cultural centrepiece is a circular amphitheatre inspired by a traditional meeting place and dance ground. This unique community space is surrounded by timber art poles, painted by local Aboriginal artist Kevin ‘Uncle Gavi’ Duncan, that tell the stories of the region’s land, sea and people. The park features a tidal terrace that connects the park to the nearby Brisbane Water with the water within it rising and falling with the natural tide. The tidal terrace holds a number of sandstone animal ‘islands’ inspired by carvings from the nearby Bulgandry Art Site and built from local sandstone. Aboriginal canoes and a European–style boat symbolise the meeting of two cultures, with the natural environment bringing connection and understanding.