Food

Last week was Reconciliation Week and I was lucky enough to hear about a fabulous fund raising dinner hosted by Nalderun, a local Indigenous support services organisation. Nalderun is a Dja Dja Wurrung word meaning 'altogether'.

Along with about thirty others I ate some very special indigenous foods including some of the plants I have been drawing for 'Mrs Larritt in Upsidedown Country'. It was a truly special evening thanks to the efforts of many. We were also treated to an auction of fabulous work made by local indigenous artists.

To spend my day drawing a bunya nut casing, then to eat a soup with bunya nut (and macadamia and berlotti beans) was simply fabulous. Other special flavours included Kangaroo, Emu, Murnong, Vanilla lilly tubers, Bulbine lilly, Quandong, native tomato, native fruits and more.

We are so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to learn about indigenous culture through food, and honour the sacred culture that has existed here on Dja Dja Wurrung Country for thousands of years.

Images, bunya nut reference and (below) detail of drawing with Ultra Marine Blue pencil and watercolour on Arches Satine.

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