Me-Mandook Galk
Bush Tucker Place
Me-Mandook Galk
Me-Mandook Galk is the name of the Grandmother Ancestor tree in Chewton. With the support of many community members from near and far, in 2021 Nalderun bought back the land next to Me-Mandook Galk. The big vision is of this land is for it to become an Indigenous Education and Cultural Place for the many amazing programs that Nalderun run.
What we do
Sense of Country Products
Beautiful, healing and nourishing products for Community, made at Nalderun’s Me Mandook Galk Bushtucker Place by First Nations Youth. All ingredients are sourced ethically and as locally as possible (the bulk are grown onsite!)
Bush Tucker Farm
Me-Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Place is a First Nations youth lead enterprise of Nalderun. We sow and grow a variety of bush tucker plants that are suited to grow on Djaara Country.
On the ground there is a deadly team of First Nations youth headed up by Chase Norfolk and Ben Reid and with support from Camillo Demarco, Sas Allardice and many crew from the School Based Apprenticeship program and participants from the Bush Tucker program at Middleton Prison. Over the past few years, the team have been busily working together to create the foundations of the Me-Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Place enterprise.
The long term vision of Me-Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Place has many branches and includes production and sale of fresh and dried bush foods, education programs, propagation and sale of bush tucker plants as well as the regeneration of the Me-Mandok Galk land using bush foods.
Our main focus currently is on developing our bush tucker nursery, plant sales and Sense of Country products.
Farm Tour
Book a 1 hour farm tour with First Nations Youth. Up to 15 ppl per tour.
$300
Land Regeneration & Management
Together we are taking care of Country and regenerating the land at Me-Mandook Galk using bush foods.
Shop
Uncle Rick’s Community Shed
We officially launched Uncle Rick's Community Shed out at the Me-Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Farm in late 2025. This was part of DFFH Men's Shed Funding we received which has supported us to make the space usable for current and future Nalderun programs. Works have included lining and insulating the shed, installing a fireplace as well as lights and power, and improving driveway access.
Another key part of the Men's Shed project has been Nalderun working together with Bower Studios from the Melbourne University School of Design. Together with Bower studios we have extended the roof awning and also built a movable composting toilet.
Aunty Julie’s Hot House
Aunty Julie has grown and nursed many different Bush Tucker plants over her lifetime. Many of them now live in Aunty Julie’s Hot House at Me Mandook Galk. The signs for both Uncle Rick’s shed and the hot-house were made from slabs of the Guildford Big Tree.
Building an Indigenous Education Place at
Me-Mandook Galk
Our long-time dream of developing a Indigenous Education Place is coming together, and shows the power of community, culture and collaboration, and what’s possible when we support community organisations. We look forward to working with our partners Community Bank and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
Late last year we had a celebration to announce the next phase of Me Mandook Galk Indigenous Education Place and the launch of Uncle Rick’s Community Shed.
Through an $850,000 contribution from Community Bank Maldon & District and matched investment from Indigenous Land and Sea Corp we are one step closer to building the Indigenous Education Place, a home for our programs, supporting education, cultural regeneration, wellbeing and employment opportunities for First Nations young people.
We also want to give a special shout out to everyone who contributed to our initial crowd funding campaign to buy the land at Me-Mandook Galk in 2021. Without you none of this would be possible - this is an inspiring example of a community-led and grass roots dream that continues to grow. Watch this space!
