When your mother is the oldest living Wurundjeri person, you learn to listen when Country calls, according to Margaret Parisi.
Margaret is the inaugural First Nations Garden City Ambassador for the City of Melbourne.
“I’ve got my mum’s attitude. Everything I'm doing now is to honour my mum and what she’s done all her life. Caring for community and Country,” Margaret said.
Margaret’s mother, respected Elder Aunty Patricia Ockwell, dedicated 60 years to campaigning for her community before stepping back from public life in her late 80s.
As Margaret approached her own retirement after 42 years in the IT sector, her mum encouraged her to take a part-time role with the Wurunderji Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
“I should have done it 15 years ago,” Margaret said of the ‘encore’ career she is now enjoying, which includes advising the City of Melbourne as we grow our garden city.
Margaret plans to make sure Elders’ voices are heard clearly as we expand our parks and gardens, and encourages us all to see the city through a cultural lens.
“Our community’s aspirations are to protect culture and the different layers of Country: the lands, parks, grasslands, forest,” Margaret said.
“The waterways, rivers, creeks, billabongs and the parts of the sea on our Country. And the skies, the stars, the air we breathe.”
“We can restore culturally significant plants and bring back what our Elders know is right for an area. That will bring Country back. We will all benefit from that: animals, pollinators, people.”
Petal power brings the city into bloom
One of the first things we’re doing as we grow our garden city is choosing a floral emblem for Melbourne External link – and we want you to vote for your favourite External link.
All flowers on the shortlist External link for Melbourne’s floral emblem are culturally significant to the local area. There’s still time to help us choose before voting closes on 15 February.
When asked to choose her favourite flower from the shortlist, Margaret's pick is the austral storksbill External link.
“They are like tiny beacons and so the insects can see them easier. That makes me happy, imagining bees, for example, coming into land on the flower. Like a runway.”
Why choose a floral emblem for Melbourne?
Choosing a native flower as our floral emblem is a step on the path to truly becoming a garden city. It’s also important for the Traditional Owners of the land on which the City of Melbourne sits, Margaret said.
“Seeing a flower which automatically says ‘Melbourne’ is a great way to create an immediate, recognisable identity. One that is grounded in place, respectful of Country, and distinct from any other city."
“Over time, this flower could become a visual shorthand for Melbourne itself, appearing in streetscapes, branding, events, and storytelling, and quietly reinforcing a shared sense of pride and belonging.
"By choosing a native species, the city is not only celebrating beauty, but also acknowledging heritage, sustainability, and a long-standing relationship with the land which Wurundjeri holds in our hearts and our cultural identity.”
Why it feels good to be in nature
The natural environment plays an important role in storytelling for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.
"Our Elders can talk to the cultural significance of the area and we can honour that. Make it visible that this is Wurundjeri land.
"This is where our community lived, had their babies, drank from the river.”
Margaret moved to Melbourne from Wangaratta when she was 13 years old. She has fond memories of playing with her siblings in suburban parks, picnicking with extended family in Healesville and taking trips to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
“It feels good being in nature. It’s good for your soul. Calmer. Standing on Country always makes you feel something. It makes you feel at home,” Margaret said.
She wants to make sure that nature is never far away for future Melburnians.
“People live really hectic, stressful lives. You need somewhere to sit and unwind and enjoy being.
“I hope that in 5, 10, 20 generations time those gardens are still there and they’re thriving, still telling our story.
“We need more green pockets, so that no matter where you live or work there’s greenery not too far from where you are. We need safe paths and facilities that are accessible to all people, including people with disability.”
"Let your hands and feet touch the grass, watch how gardens change throughout the year,” Margaret said.
Vote for our floral emblem
What’s your pick for our floral emblem External link? See the shortlist External link and vote until Sunday 15 February. Chosen by you, the winner will be announced soon after.
