Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation, a not-for-profit supporting the Djarra Aboriginal people in central Victoria, has transformed its Moonlight Flat (Chewton) site with a new artwork.
The artwork has been painted on a shipping container at Nalderun's bush tucker site, which forms part of the organisation's long-term vision to create an 'on Country' education facility, bush tucker farm and men's shed for community use.
Grace Coff, a proud Yorta Yorta woman who works as co-manager at Me Mandook Galk Bush Tucker Place, led the design and painting, drawing on her deep connection to Country, culture and community.
Coff has spent the past four years working in community and supporting young First Nations people, alongside building skills in business and product development using native plants.
The project has been made possible through the Dulux Community Project, which donated paint to support the transformation of the container into a culturally meaningful and welcoming space.
"Nalderun is an education organisation, and I've been involved in programs run by Aunty Julie, Uncle Rick and Kathryn Coff since I was a kid," Coff told National Indigenous Times.
"Since becoming an independent corporation in 2019, Nalderun has expanded its programs to better support First Nations young people through high school, further study and employment.
"The bush tucker site is used for tours with horticultural, agricultural and council groups, as well as programs for First Nations youth and employment pathways."
The painted container complements upcoming works at the site, including a two-week build in late 2025 supported by the University of Melbourne's Bower Studio, continuing a partnership that last year delivered a new verandah at the bush tucker shed.
Coff shared how the creative collaboration came about and the inspiration behind the design process.
"The shipping container is where we store our tools, and after a couple of robberies, we had to start locking everything up, so it became a really practical structure on site. We felt like there was a good opportunity to beautify it and make it feel less industrial," she said.
"The idea was to use charcoal and earth tones so the container would sit more naturally in the landscape and not stand out against the bush around us. We wanted to make it feel connected to the land."
"We were able to partner with Dulux, who donated the paint, which made the project possible," Coff said.
"Last year we also worked with architecture students from the University of Melbourne's Bower Studio, who helped build up and around the shipping container, and it was great to have that hands-on experience.
"Having students and volunteers on site created a real sense of shared effort and care for the space."
"We're back on this land because of the Me Mandook Galk or 'Grandmother Tree' which is an ancient tree that's been dated at more than 300 years old. It's at the heart of why this place matters," Coff said.
"The land around it was heavily impacted by gold mining, so being able to help protect that tree and regenerate the soil feels really important.
"Caring for the Grandmother Tree and working on this land has helped me reconnect with Country and has been healing for my own personal wounds of colonisation."
Nalderun creates empowering education and employment opportunities for First Nations young people at the foothills of Liyanganyuk Banyul, on Djaara Country.
Nalderun is the Djaara word for All Together. Together with the broader community, they are growing young people strong and proud through connection to Community, Country, and Culture.
Nalderun is an Aboriginal Education Community Organisation operating since 2009 on Djaara Country, Castlemaine in Liyanganyuk Banyul (Mount Alexander) Shire, Victoria.
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