2024 - Moonlight Flat,
Chewton, Victoria

Uncle Rick’s Shed and Bush Tucker Farm - Stage 1

Location: Djaara Country, Moonlight Flat, Chewton, Victoria
Project Start: July 2024
Completed: December 2024

The Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation has a connection with the Gurindji mob in the Northern Territory where Bower Studio has shared a long partnership. Following yarns between these two communities Bower Studio was invited to meet with Nalderun elders to discuss ambitions to support a bush tucker farm. The community’s successful ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign facilitated the purchase of land and the mob has identified the need for infrastructure to support the farm and education projects.

In 2024 Bower Studio was asked to expand ‘Uncle Rick’s Shed’, a recently acquired tin shed donated to the community. The design of the shed was utilitarian, typical of modern farm sheds, and didn’t resonate with the image Nalderun was projecting and failed to function appropriately as a community space. The south side included a veranda but the hotter north side, with a view across the farm to the ‘Grandmother Tree’, had limited shade.

Community elders were clear in their ambitions to soften the industrialised aesthetic of the shed and incorporate as many recycled materials as possible including bush poles, decking and roofing timbers. A series of scale models were used during consultations to discuss various design options and a plan to complete the program was formed.

The program included laying paving under the existing veranda, the construction of a deck and veranda to the north side of the shed and the installation of new glass double doors to link to the new deck. Most materials were sourced from The Salvage Yard in Castlemaine and the design details were developed after multiple visits to examine this treasure trove of recycled materials.

The construction crew included both the Nalderun mob and Bower Studio crew working together over three weeks. Rain interruptions required some rescheduling but provided many opportunities for the mob to share their visions for future development programs and for the students to present their concept visions detailing how this could be achieved.