Medicine And Meaning To Bloom In Sarina

A living legacy of culture, healing, and community spirit has taken root in the heart of Sarina.

Unveiled during NAIDOC Week, the Yinha Gurubila Ganya – meaning ‘here medicine place’ – is a traditional bush medicine garden now flourishing at Sarina Hospital. More than just a garden, it is a cultural milestone, reconnecting the community with ancient knowledge passed down through generations of the Yuwi people.

The project began as a shared vision and blossomed through collaboration between local volunteers, hospital staff, Yuwi Elders, Landcare, and students from Sarina schools. More than 66 native species – including cocky apple, sandpaper fig, noni fruit and gumby gumby – were planted in November with help from over 40 community volunteers.

Yuwi Elder and Mackay HHS cultural practice coordinator Philip Kemp played a key advisory role throughout the project.

“This is an opportunity to engage young people — telling them, ‘This is your garden, you’ve been part of it, and you can be proud to say you helped build it.’

"It also connects them to the hospital service, making the hospital more culturally welcoming and safe,” he said.

Mr Kemp shared that traditional knowledge continues to live through plants like gumby gumby, which his family has used for generations.

“One significant plant my family always used was gumby gumby. It comes from my dad’s culture, the Gungul people, and has been passed down to us,” he said.

“We use gumby gumby for energy, to help stop colds from getting worse, for skin rashes, and even dandruff by washing hair with it.”

“There’s no reason bush medicine and modern medicine can’t work side by side to provide better care.”

Visitors can take a self-guided walk through the garden thanks to plant tags featuring both the scientific and common names, as well as traditional uses.

“We’ve got little tags in the garden showing the scientific and common names, along with their uses. So we encourage people to come and educate themselves,” Mr Kemp said.

Hospital Director of Nursing Pauline Maude said the project reflects deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and shows what’s possible when a community comes together.

“It’s through this community collaboration the garden will grow into a place of healing and reconciliation,” she said.

The idea was first planted by retired nurse and longtime Sarina Hospital volunteer Karen Dawe, whose passion and persistence helped bring the vision to life. Alongside Uncle Phil and his brother Stephen Kemp, Karen worked with Sarina Landcare, local schools and health staff to shape the garden.

The official opening ceremony featured a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, blessing by a Torres Strait Islander elder, and a cultural performance, marking the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week and honouring the 2025 theme: Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.

“This garden will serve as a meaningful space for preserving and sharing Indigenous knowledge,” Mr Kemp said.

“It offers opportunities for the land's traditional custodians to teach the community about native plants, their healing properties and cultural significance, fostering deeper understanding and reconciliation.”

The project received vital support from the Mackay Hospital Foundation and Mackay Regional Council, with additional help from Harris Hauling, Sarina Mini Excavators and Cush-it Rocks.

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A traditional bush medicine garden has taken root at Sarina Hospital, uniting community, culture, and healing to reconnect the next generation with ancient Yuwi knowledge. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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