Brenden Moore

Brenden Moore is the First Nations Community Greening Officer at Botanic Gardens of Sydney. 

Working across a diverse range of community garden locations, including Central Coast, Newcastle, Redfern, and various Aboriginal Medical Services, language and community groups, and Land Councils.

Brenden's educational background includes a Bachelor of Community and Social Development and a Diploma in Aboriginal Studies. He has also completed training in Suicide Prevention and Mental Health, reflecting his commitment to supporting the well-being of the communities he works with. His specific skills and expertise lie in connecting with people, whether it's through gardening or cultural practices, fostering a sense of unity and respect.

Brenden's role involves supporting community gardens and schools across New South Wales, where each day offers new opportunities to engage with people and help them realise the benefits of gardening. Whether he's assisting with building garden beds, leading workshops, or creating Aboriginal art stories using seeds and leaves, Brenden is always connecting with people through art, music, and storytelling.

What Brenden enjoys most about his job is the diversity of the team and the flexibility to deliver workshops in unique and engaging ways. He has recently been working with youth at risk, Juvenile Justice Centres, and Correctional Centres, sharing his knowledge about plants and culture to help participants build resilience, respect, and leadership skills.

Brenden's favourite plant is the grass tree, Xanthorrhoea, which has a rich cultural significance and various uses, including spear-making, nectar production and basket weaving. He was motivated to pursue a career in the industry after witnessing the positive changes that gardening can bring to communities, as they grow plants, share cultural knowledge, cook together using produce they’ve grown, and create green spaces.

Brenden's career achievements include delivering key presentations at the Australian Institute of Horticulture in Queensland and the Urban Ag Forum, as well as presenting with Peter Dawe (the Garden’s Lead Youth Community Greening Program Coordinator) in Wellington, New Zealand. These experiences reflect his dedication to connecting with First Nations communities and sharing cultural knowledge to create meaningful and long-lasting impacts.