Celebrating Culture, Connection and Community with My Dilly Bag
As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, we're reflecting on the importance of recognising and celebrating the stories, traditions and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At Country Culture, we're proud to partner with Indigenous businesses that are preserving culture, supporting communities and sharing meaningful stories through their work. One of those businesses is My Dilly Bag.
Founded more than 25 years ago by proud Kooma and Yuwaalaraay woman Aunty Dale Chapman, My Dilly Bag was created from a vision of fostering greater understanding, respect and equality through the celebration of Aboriginal culture. What began as an idea inspired by Aunty Dale's passion for native foods has grown into a nationally recognised business that connects people to the world's oldest living culture through food, education and storytelling.
A passion for sharing culture
Aunty Dale is a chef by trade, author and Adjunct Senior Professor at the University of Queensland. Throughout her career, she has worked across hospitality, tourism, education and community, always with one purpose at heart: creating opportunities for people to experience and better understand Aboriginal culture.
"I wanted to combine my contemporary chef training with my knowledge of bushfoods," she explains. "It was about creating opportunities for our people into the future."
For more than two decades, My Dilly Bag has been doing exactly that. Through native Australian ingredients, bushfood products, workshops and cultural experiences, the business shares traditional knowledge that has been passed down through generations, helping keep those stories alive for future generations.
(1).jpg)
The story behind the name
Like many meaningful ideas, the name My Dilly Bag arrived unexpectedly.
"I woke up one night and wrote it down," Aunty Dale recalls. "I always thank my ancestors and spirits for that one."
The name honours the traditional dilly bag, a woven bag used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years to gather bushfoods, medicines, botanicals and other important items collected on Country.
"It was our shopping bag," she says. "But it also carried precious things."
Today, My Dilly Bag continues that tradition by carrying culture, knowledge and the gifts of Country into homes across Australia.
Introducing Australians to native flavours
One of My Dilly Bag's greatest strengths is making native Australian ingredients approachable for everyday cooking.
While favourites like the Bush Brew Tea range, Finger Lime & Rivermint Syrup and Wild Salt & Pepper continue to grow in popularity, Aunty Dale says there's one ingredient customers return to time and time again.
"Lemon myrtle just seems to walk out the door."
Its refreshing citrus flavour makes it incredibly versatile, making it perfect for teas, baking, desserts and savoury dishes alike. Customers also appreciate its calming qualities, while native botanical teas have become increasingly popular as people seek moments of balance and connection in their daily lives.
"The aromas are incredible," Aunty Dale says. "They're completely different, and people are discovering flavours they've never experienced before."
Inspired by country
My Dilly Bag is proudly based on Kabi Kabi Country at Forest Glen on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Surrounded by native rainforest species, Aunty Dale is constantly inspired by the ingredients growing close to home, from lemon myrtle to macadamias and native botanicals. At the same time, the business works closely with Aboriginal communities across Australia to source ingredients unique to different Countries, including wattle seed, bush tomatoes and strawberry gum.
Community and sustainability remain central to every decision.
By working directly with Indigenous growers, harvesters and artisan makers, My Dilly Bag helps create pathways to market while supporting economic opportunities, cultural pride and the continuation of traditional knowledge.
Creating opportunities through culture
Behind the scenes, My Dilly Bag is much more than a bushfood business.
Based in Forest Glen, the team hand-packs products, develops recipes, welcomes visitors and delivers workshops that introduce people to Australia's remarkable native ingredients and the stories behind them.
The business also has a strong focus on employment and education, with around 95% of its team identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
"For us, it's about creating a better future for our kids," Aunty Dale says.
Whether she's travelling throughout Australia delivering bushfood workshops, working alongside early childhood educators or speaking at conferences, her focus remains the same. She is creating opportunities for Indigenous communities while encouraging meaningful cultural understanding.
Building a business with purpose
Like any small business, the journey hasn't been without challenges.
Managing the logistics of sourcing native ingredients from remote regions across Australia, navigating cash flow and opening a retail store during COVID all required resilience and adaptability.
Despite those obstacles, Aunty Dale has remained committed to her vision of making native foods part of everyday Australian life while creating lasting opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue expanding My Dilly Bag through new catering experiences, a cooking school and a First Nations tourism precinct on the Sunshine Coast that will create employment and celebrate culture on an even greater scale.
Sharing stories through every gift
At Country Culture, provenance and storytelling are deeply important to us. We believe every gift becomes more meaningful when there's a story behind it, one that reflects the people, culture and craftsmanship that brought it to life.
Including My Dilly Bag products in our gifting range allows us to celebrate authentic Australian stories while supporting an Indigenous-owned business making a lasting impact through education, employment and cultural connection.
This NAIDOC Week, we're proud to acknowledge Aunty Dale, My Dilly Bag and the many Indigenous makers, communities and businesses who continue to preserve culture, share knowledge and inspire future generations. We are honoured to share their story as part of our gifting collections.
