Timothy Buthimang

Timothy Buthimang is an inspiring Yolngu Elder working tirelessly to create a market garden that will provide fresh healthy produce to his community and meaningful employment for his family.

There are many challenges to overcome to grow a successful garden in the poor quality sandy soil of Elcho Island. But with professional help (in the form of a volunteer Permaculture Consultant), Timothy has been provided with a cheap and realistic plan to build the fertility of the soil and have a successful garden. His work plan involves using free, readily available natural resources, to increase the nutrients available to his plants. But one simple thing is missing to enable this plan to be executed effectively- a vehicle. Timothy's garden is located a short distance from the Galiwin'ku township, on land that he has traditional rights to. Timothy and his workers need to be able to get to the garden, and also collect local resources such as seaweed and coral, to be used in the garden.

Timothy is a natural entrepreneur, who is already creating value adding enterprises using his  produce. One of his key crops is sugar cane, and he has recently purchased a sugar cane juicing machine. He is selling the juice at the local markets. This is not only providing the community with healthy, tasty, fresh local produce, but is inspiring other community members about the possibilities of local enterprise. Timothy needs a vehicle to transport his cane into town and to the markets along with his machine.

This garden and its associated enterprises are owned and driven by an inspiring Yolngu man, who is a powerful example to his community. He just needs your help to overcome this barrier.

Timothy and his family have saved over $3000 to go towards a motor vehicle, but need your contributions to access enough funds for a vehicle that they can use reliably on the island, and for the cost of freight to get it here. A duel cab ute, which will be able to transport workers, resources and crops will best suit their needs.