Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
Blackburn, Victoria
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
Juby's Garden
Juby’s Garden is an indigenous planting trail around the Visitor Centre, which is accessed by the path from the carpark or through the Visitor Centre courtyard.
History
The garden is named after and celebrates James Henry Wandin Jnr. (aka Juby) (1933–2006). Juby was Ngurungaeta (head man) of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.
Juby was the last baby to be born at the Coranderrk Mission in Healesville in 1933.
He was a celebrated football player, known as ‘the Legend’ during his Yarra Valley Football League career. He twice won the Best and Fairest for Healesville, and went on to coach teams at both Yarra Glen and Apollo Bay. He was the first Aboriginal footballer to play for St Kilda, playing at centre half forward in 1952–53.
A natural leader, Juby was respected by all communities and worked tirelessly to promote respect for his people.
After his passing in February 2006, this garden was named to honour his memory.
Uncle Shane Charles at Juby’s Garden planting.
Construction of the garden
Juby’s Garden was constructed in 2004–05.
The garden was designed and constructed by students from Swinburne TAFE (Lilydale), including Worawa College students, led by Uncle Shane Charles (seen in the image below), and with support from Whitehorse City Council staff.
Juby’s Garden was formally opened in 2006 with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO, and speeches from representatives of the Rotary Club and the council.
Uncle Shane Charles at Juby’s Garden planting.
Purpose of the garden
The garden is an essential part of education programs that run at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. It showcases a variety of indigenous ‘bush tucker’ plants traditionally used for food, weapons and artefacts.
Visitors walking the Juby’s Garden trail can use the explanatory signs to identify important plants and understand their use in Indigenous culture, then look for the same plants on further walks at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and other bushland areas.
Current state of the garden
Since 2020, Juby’s Garden has undergone some reconstruction. Signage, including the garden’s name and other interpretative signage, is still to be installed.
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The Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is a special place that sits at the origins of the Kooyong Koot tributary.
This Country, its creatures, lands, skies and waterways, has been continuously loved and cared for by the Wurundjeri peoples for over 60,000 years. We hope to walk with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung in caring for this place.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the First Peoples of this area and pay our respects to their spirits, ancestors and elders.