Bush Dye Workshop

Day one began with a trip out on Bunuba Country, where our Bush Medicine Working Group set off to collect bush medicine plants. The workshop was led by Cherry Smiler, Eva Nargoodah, Ivy Nargoodah and Charline Davis who guided participants in gathering and preparing local plants.

These workshops take place across the wet, cold, and hot seasons. This season, the focus was on collecting plants for making tea, ointments and soap, as well as for bush dyeing. The group used Walaba, Mowurru and Ngurnu Ngurnu, each with its own unique colour and healing qualities.

“We don’t always have a way of getting on Country,” said Sally Marvin. “It’s good to do this at Marnin and collect our local plants.”

Throughout the workshop, women made Ngurnu Ngurnu ointment, Walaba soap and ointment, and set aside Walaba leaves to steep into tea. Mowurru bark and sap were collected and used to create deep, earthy dye tones.

Each workshop builds on the last, deepening skills, strengthening connection, and expanding the range of bush dyed fabrics and bush medicines. It’s not just about what we make, but about spending time together on Country and continuing to learn from the knowledge holders and one another. Each time we come together, we learn more about our processes and improve for the next workshop.

October 10th, 2025