Christmush

"Christmush is a beautiful gathering to celebrate connection, community and nature"

Christmush had 7 facilitators/Performers

- Josie – Mushroom information and propagation session

- MadB – Local First Nations drag queen.

- Kate – Poetry and writing

- Indira – Healing through connecting to meridian networks

- Pete and Alison – The Cashews – Wholesome music about Canberra.

-Lumi - facilitation and dreaming

Between 11am-4pm we had 50 people of all ages join.

70 handcrafted mushrooms were made - 40 mushrooms were painted

We began Christmush as we begin this post; with an acknowledgement that our Bloom is on the lands of the Ngunnawal people. We walk, play and learn on this unceded Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the elders who continue the longest living cultures on Earth. We connect, get curious and open ourselves to listening for the benefit of people and planet.

Christmush is about two networks, the mycelial network and the human network.

“ I came away with some new friends, new knowledge and some tasty home grown mushrooms”

Mycelial Networks

Christmush encouraged learning and curiosity regarding the important role of mycelium in assisting humans to regenerate the planet. Articles posted on the page before and after the event (and referred to during) highlighted the benefits of collaboration with mycelium, including the increasing instances and benefits of micoremediation and opportunities to utilise mushrooms in the place of plastics and animal products.

Our mushroom cultivation demonstration showed how simple it can be to grow mushrooms at home, especially oyster mushrooms, the type associated with much of the planetary cleanup.

Our clay mushrooms invited play and creativity which has been shown to open our minds to creating new synapses for learning. For children the painting is a creative opportunity to make an item for their festive decorating in a supported environment (my background is in therapeutic art), for their parents it provides a chance to listen in to workshops and/or a creative outlet for themselves.

For all the mushrooms are a collective activity which invites connection and sharing.

Human networks

Christmush increased curiosity and understanding around the important role of human connections in Regenerating Culture. We collaborated with local music and performance artist, connecting communities. One attendee from the LGBTIQA+ community shared that she had been struggling with her mental health recently; feeling disconnected from community. Our outdoor event was neurodiversity affirming and disability aware giving her hope for similar events and opening opportunities for collaboration in future. Another family who attended in 2022 and 2024 with their 3 young people, one of whom uses a wheelchair noted their appreciation for the crew “ making sure everyone is included and looked after”. These examples highlighted the strength of the project around accessibility and inclusion, an important factor in creating Regenerative Cultures.

Closing the day off were The Cashews, a local band singing “Mountains” about the mountains that circle Canberra, “Green Light” about all the trees and ecologically sound decisions made in the city and “Fishpond Song” about our small pond Canberra, reminding us of place. Multiple attendees remarked on how connected they felt when being immersed in nature for the afternoon, the spot chosen partly for it’s proximity to the local markets, dog park and toilets, although also the abundance of mushrooms that appear there each Autumn.

Thankyou Ngunnawal country and Canberra community. We are grateful for all who came to learn with us this year!

See you next Christmush~