Anganya students and families celebrate community in Benalla’s Aboriginal Garden

By Benalla Ensign

May 13, 2025

Anganya participants and their families celebrated the end of Term 1 with traditional songs, art and crafts, games and pizza at Benalla’s Aboriginal Garden.

Benalla’s Aboriginal Garden was a hive of activity and connection when Tomorrow Today’s Anganya students, and their families, gathered to celebrate the end of term.

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More than 40 people came along to enjoy pizzas, arts and crafts and some games, too.

Local Elders Aunty Cheryl Cooper and Uncle Chris Thorne joined in the evening, along with Tracy Bevan from Ganbina and Sally Gamble who, with Uncle Chris, was a driving force in establishing the Aboriginal Garden in the early 2000s.

“It’s just magic,” Sally said.

“The garden is for everyone, but to see it being used like this is just wonderful.”

Tomorrow Today executive officer Jodie Fleming, Gabina national manager - expansion project Tracy Bevan, Uncle Chris Thorne and Tomorrow Today board treasurer Sally Gamble.

Uncle Chris echoed her words.

“When we made this garden 25 years ago we didn’t think this would ever happen,” he said.

“To see it like this is pretty good, I think.”

The Benalla Aboriginal Garden is located on the lake foreshore near the intersection of Mitchell and Benalla Sts.

Aunty Gayelene Arandall and Aunty Cheryl Cooper were on hand to guide students as they created a huge artwork on canvas at their end-of-Term 1 celebration.

The Anganya program is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who attend mainstream schools in Benalla. For more information, contact heidiperry@tomorrowtoday.com.au