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Our Team

Jakobi is a Djab Wurrung and Dhauwurd Wurrung man, cultural ranger, and storyteller with over eight years of experience, collaborating with Traditional Owners and First Peoples throughout Melbourne in cultural education and tourism. He is an Aboriginal Learning Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and is studying Plant Science (B-SCIEXTD) at the University of Melbourne. His passion for storytelling embeds cultural knowledge and the connection to Country as an avenue to link his audience to landscapes and waterways.

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Harrison is a Graduate Landscape Architect who is passionate about the role of ecological design working alongside Traditional Owners in developing the urban fabric of the future. He is interested in community driven projects, where he volunteers, and has a broad educational background from architecture to landscaping. He is a member of the Vic AILA Environment Committee and is enthusiastic about site specificity and endemic species to drive decision-making and design.

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Maria is an Architecture Graduate with experience in landscape-driven projects with the Urban Ecology and Design Lab at the University of Melbourne. Her research has focused on the Darebin and Merri tributaries, exploring water-sensitive urban design, biodiversity and habitat support. These projects delve into the material and political legacies of site and its interconnections with the larger living river system, advocating for changes that support ethics of landscape practice on sensitive ecosystems.

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Gina is a registered Norwegian architect whose work focuses on public space strategy, urban resilience, and climate adaptation, driven by community-led and culturally informed design. As part of the Bower Studio team at the University of Melbourne, Gina contributes to projects that integrate Indigenous knowledge and promote social and environmental sustainability.

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Recent News

22.09.26
Orchid Conservation Tour at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Both Maria and Harry were able to visit the amazing conservation efforts to support our native terrestrial orchids at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. It was particularly interesting to explore the Caladenia genus and their use of pheremones as sexual deception for male thynnid wasps to pollinate the flowers.

17.09.26
Mpavilion Parkville:
Hidden Waters of
the Birrarung,
Gum Walk Series

Thank you to everyone who joined Petrichor Collaborative for the Hidden Waters of the Birrarung, Gum Walk Series.

As part of our exhibition Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree, participants heard how urban infrastructure, seasonal flooding and forgotten wetlands shape the Birrarung and how future restoration can support the river's right to heal and flow.

The events featured a guided walk through Parkville, followed by a workshop and visioning session at The Potter Museum of Art.

Hidden Waters of the Birrarung: Gum Walks, MPavilion Parkville, Images by Gregory Lorenzutti.

15.09.26
Kati-Thanda & Ikara

A quick getway for Harry to Ikara (Flinders Ranges) and Kati-Thanda (Lake Eyre) seeing inspiring views, cultural sites, plenty of wildlife and some green-hood orchids

05.09.26
Fed Square Planting party

On 5 September, we joined the Talks at Planting Party at Fed Square, presented as part of RESET.

Thank you to everyone who came to discuss how we can reconnect with Narrm’s hidden landscapes. Our conversation explored the history of land, ownership, and control over waterways and resources.

A special thanks to Creative Climate, Fed Square and all the event partners for hosting this event.

26.08.26
New Architects
Melbourne #52

Thank you to everyone who attended #NAM52, hosted by Warren Mahoney and supported by ArchiTeam Cooperative.

Jakobi, Maria and Harrison spoke about our recently completed projects, including the Albert Park Yarning Circle and the Wurundjeri biik bolin bolin Indigenous Garden at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. We also discussed the 'Hidden Waters of the Birrarung’ series, exploring how to reimagine pre-colonial river landscapes and design for Country using endemic species, site-specific ecology and community-driven design.

It was a pleasure to share the stage with Warren Mahoney and Robert Simeoni Architect.

Images by Simpson Chin

19.07.26
Coranderrk Working Bee

It is always great to get out to Coranderrk for some bush regeneration with Uncle Dave. Maria and Harry joined the July working bee, which run on the third Sunday of each month.

12.07.26
Walks at Anglesea Heatland

Anglesea heathland is one of the most diverse landscapes of the south coast and is a particular place we always return to for inspiration.

03.07.26
UIA International Emerging Architecture Workshop and World Congress of Architects 2026 - Barcelona

Gina recently participated in the International Emerging Architecture Workshop in Barcelona, part of the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects. Working within the ‘Becoming Circular’ laboratory led by Nicolas Dorval-Bory Architectes, she explored the theme ‘The coolest summer of the rest of our lives’, circular design and climate adaptation strategies, which were then exhibited at the event.

22.06.26
Albert Park
Yarning Circle Opening

The Yarning Circle in Albert Park opened today, a First Nations gathering space, place for ceremony, cultural learning, yarning and building community connection.

Petrichor Collaborative was engaged in the project from concept to delivery by the Victorian Institute of Sport, to create the first permanent First Nations cultural gathering space at a high-performance sporting institute in Australia. The design was developed in consultation with Uncle Glenn Shaw, Kobi Sainty and Damien Griffiths from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.

For construction we came together with Harry Mitchell from Straight Edge Earthworks and help from Maia Pierce, and Tom Baxter to bring the concept to life. Every plant on site was sourced from Bunurong Country, through Willum Warrain Bush Nursery and Billi Nursery.

This morning opened with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country from Uncle Mark Brown, with sporting legends Cathy Freeman and Kyle Vander-Kuyp among those there to mark the occasion.

23.05.26
Melbourne Design Week: Hidden Waters of
the Birrarung

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Melbourne Design Week.

We partnered with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to exhibit artworks from our Hidden Waters series on the terrace of Como House. The exhibition featured a panel discussion with Justin Buckley, Janet Bolitho, Allara Briggs Pattison and Jakobi Ili-Jakobi.

We extend our appreciation to the artwork contributors who made this event possible.

26.03.26
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Thank you to everyone who visited Wurundjeri biik bolin bolin at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Designed in collaboration with Wurundjeri elders and representatives, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and SKL Gardens, the garden evoked bolin bolin billabong and invited attendees to gather on Country.

Throughout the week, we hosted talks and education sessions on culture, ecology, horticulture and design.

Images by Jordan Brown and Suzannah Kennett Lister (SKL Gardens)

18.02.26
Victorian Biodiversity Conference 2026

Jakobi and Harrison presented on the topic; advocating conservation through first peoples storytelling and landscape design. Building on research between WWCHAC, Royal Botanical Gardens, Petrchor and University of Melbourne on the Short-finned Eel.

15.10.25
Weekend at Gariwerd

Exploring Brady Swamp’s wetlands, discovering seasonal orchids, and visiting the Sturgeon House conservation program.

10.10.25
Darebin Creek Management Committee Habitat Management and Conservation Course

Harry has recently completed his four-month course on habitat management and conservation with the Darebin Creek Management Committee. The first of nine site visits was out to the reserves and parks of the Dandenong's. On the edge of suburbia, they face many pressures imposed by neighbouring uses, but still simultaneously provide the homes for many amazing animals such as lyrebirds, platypus, yellow bellied gliders and wombats.

Harry recently received the Ryan Robertson Scholarship to take DCMC’s Habitat Management and Conservation Course, that has been running for over 40 years with a steeped history in ecological restoration in Victoria and Melbourne. With field trips across various bushland, regeneration sites and conservation reserves, it has been a thoroughly eye-opening and educational experience.

25.06.25
Swimmable Cities Summit
2025 - Rotterdam

Whilst in Europe, Maria had the privilege of attending the Swimmable Cities Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, where over 200 water advocates from around the world gathered to celebrate the Right to Swim and the Rights of Nature as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Highlights included insights from water envoy Henk Ovink, conversations with global leaders in river and ecosystem governance, and hearing powerful commitments and practical steps being taken to restore urban waterways across a range of countries. From hands-on water quality testing to the uncanny joy of swimming in a city river flanked by industrial buildings and cargo ships, it was an inspiring moment to be part of a global movement reclaiming rivers, canals, and harbours as public, swimmable spaces.

As we strive for a healthier Birrarung, we draw inspiration from Regen Melbourne's mission to make the Birrarung swimmable. We hope this international momentum fosters renewed hope, energy, and meaningful commitments to enhance health, access, and uphold First Nations’ rights concerning the Birrarung and its tributaries.

05.06.25
AILA Victoria Future Leader Award

Harry was awarded AILA Victoria’s future leader award at last month's ceremony for his early contributions to the industry, nominated by the University of Melbourne.

“Harrison Baxter is a values-driven emerging leader shaping the profession through research, advocacy, and practice. His thesis on Royal Park explores the profession’s role in civic stewardship and has informed ongoing public-facing advocacy. Harrison leads with curiosity, intellect, and integrity, building strong collaborative relationships across disciplines and communities. Through his ongoing work with Traditional Owners, teaching contributions, and peer mentorship, he inspires the next generation while actively shaping a more inclusive and culturally grounded profession.”

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24.04.25
Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
/ Venice Lagoon Research Trip

Earlier this year we were incredibly fortunate to spend some time together in the Venice lagoon. Alongside the excitement of seeing our work with the Unimelb UEDLAB come to life as part of the Venice Architecture Biennale and being inspired by the incredible work on show throughout the exhibition, we also had the chance to spend time beyond the beautiful city of Venice, in the surrounding wetlands that help sustain the lagoon’s dynamic ecology. We met with local entomologists, land managers, and even managed to squeeze in some quality one-on-one time with the crickets.

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26.03.25
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2025

Over the past two weeks, we have been fortunate to volunteer with the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) on the co-designed Wurundjeri biik baan project.

The garden told the story of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung water Country, interwoven with the tale of Iuk, the short-finned eel.

It was also great to be involved in a panel discussion with Suzannah (SKL Gardens), Jakobi (Royal Botanic Gardens) and Jack (Royal Botanic Gardens) about how the multiple aspects of the garden came together through the continued working relationship established with WWCHAC from the previous year's Wururndjeri biik garden, as well as the sourcing of over 100 plant species and working with artist David Wong.

20.03.25
AILA Shop Talk on Royal Park

Last week AILA Victoria hosted Harrison Baxter (Petrichor Collaborative) in conversation with Kaye Oddie a long-term contributor and community figure with @friendsofroyalpark.parkville for a shop talk on Royal Park.

Harrison has been involved in advocacy surrounding the new City of Melbourne Master Plan slated for the park in 2025, supporting the calls of the Royal Park community to greater leverage the designed history of the park as a method to inform a more considered approach.

15.12.24
Eel Tagging at Bolin Bolin Billabong

Last December, the Royal Botanic Gardens were invited by the Arthur Rylah Institute, in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung's Narrap Rangers, to an eel test and tagging day at Bolin Bolin Billabong. Fike nets, a passive trap, were set overnight in the shallow reaches of the billabong, and a multitude of eels were pulled up along with both eastern longneck and Murray River shortneck turtles. After collecting eels of mature size, they were moved through a bath of anaesthetic and had an acoustic tag surgically inserted. These tags will provide further insight into when the eels will migrate, what conditions they require and how this can be further enhanced and supported into the future of this cultural productive landscape.

This is an aspect of some work Harrison Baxter is involved in through the University of Melbourne, with the Royal Botanic Gardens and their population of short-finned eels.