Tugun’s healing garden sprouts a new feature
27 February 2025
Tugun Satellite Health Centre
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"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative."Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
Tugun Satellite Health Centre (Banyahrmabah) healing garden continues to flourish with the addition of a new sandblasting feature at the base of its existing First Nations public art and yarning circle.
Developed in consultation with First Nations Elders and Wurundjeri artist Grace Brown, the new feature extends Grace’s original artwork, depicting Aboriginal motifs inspired by the region's medicinal plants and traditional bush foods.
The artwork is named “Banyahr jagun Banyahr garal janabi nyubani”, which can be translated to mean “Healthy Country - Healthy Community”.
As well as aesthetic value, the sandblasting feature also serves a functional purpose by providing weather protection for the space, ensuring its longevity for future generations.
“The selected texture and colour reflect the natural environment and provide a grounding quality,” Grace said.
“It complements the yarning circle, a space designed for open conversation, connection and a safe place for physical and emotional healing.
“I am so happy the space has continued to evolve and is so well received by the community - this collaborative process has created a meaningful physical space while nurturing emotional and relational connections.”
Program Manager for First Nations Health Equity Paula Rankmore said this collaboration reflected a broader vision of Culture Therapy, where cultural practice was central to the healing journey, as described in the First Nations Health Equity Strategy.
For First Nations peoples, the connection to Country through art and place is fundamental to healing.
“This co-design process exemplifies Gold Coast Health’s commitment to listening to the voices of our community, ensuring that First Nations perspectives shape the spaces and services we offer.
“The garden enhancements are a testament to sustainable, respectful design that honours and supports the ongoing connection to culture to support community health and wellbeing.”
Following a state-wide consultation, Tugun Satellite Hospital has been renamed Tugun Satellite Health Centre.
It retains its Yugambeh language co-name: Banyahrmabah, meaning "a place to be made healthy”.
This change reflects the health centre’s dedication to supporting the physical, emotional, and relational wellbeing of the community while ensuring that culturally safe care is at the heart of all services provided.
