The Tumut Grevillea: A Rare Australian Native Plant Inspiring Kids to Love Local Wildlife
🌸 Meet the Tumut Grevillea — A Rare Beauty of Australian Wildlife
Nestled in the riverbanks of the Snowy Valleys in New South Wales grows one of the most critically endangered plants in Australian wildlife — the Tumut Grevillea (Grevillea wilkinsonii). With vibrant purple flowers and a delicate form, it’s a showstopper — and yet, most Australians have never heard of it.
Watercolour Tumut Grevillea by Penny Gale
🧭 Where Does the Tumut Grevillea Grow?
This striking flowering shrub is found in fewer than 20 known sites, growing exclusively along the Goobarragandra and Tumut Rivers on Wiradjuri Country.
It prefers sandy, open riverbanks in woodland habitats — which makes it vulnerable to erosion, grazing, invasive weeds, and habitat loss.
💚 The Community Saving It
The Tumut community is rallying to protect this endangered native plant. With help from:
Local Women’s Indigenous Groups
Local Landcare groups
Bushcare volunteers
Schoolchildren
And landowners along the riverbanks
...the Tumut Grevillea is getting a second chance.
Seedlings are being grown in nurseries, invasive weeds are being removed, and school groups are learning to identify native species and care for Country.
🔥 First Nations Knowledge and the Grevillea
The tumut grevillea is connected to women's business in First Nations culture, as it is found around culturally significant women’s sites to the Wiradjuri and Walgalu people.
While the Tumut Grevillea itself may not have had a widespread practical use due to its limited range, it belongs to a genus that has deep ecocultural value across the continent.
Grevilleas have long held importance in First Nations cultures across Australia. Known affectionately as “bush lollies”, many species were traditionally used for their sweet nectar, which children would sip directly or mix into water.
In some regions, grevilleas were also used for:
Firesticks
Spears and handles
Seasonal knowledge and ecological calendars
🌱 Why It Matters
The story of the Tumut Grevillea is more than a botany lesson — it’s a reminder that even the rarest parts of our landscape can thrive with awareness, community, and care.
At Fabriculture, our mission is to help kids grow up knowing and loving their local wildlife — not just the famous icons, but the quiet treasures too.
Because if children know what’s endangered, they’ll know what’s worth protecting.
👉 Take Action Today
💡 Read the ABC story: Tumut community protects endangered grevillea
🃏 Explore our Wonderfully Wild learning range for kids
🌏 Use sustainable educational tools to help kids connect with Australia’s threatened species
🐨 Sign up for more stories about endangered wildlife and kid-friendly conservation