Vera Wang, friend of Regen Melbourne and a grant recipient and project lead at RMIT University, reflects on how connecting the Melbourne Doughnut with the Australian Indigenous Doughnut on Global Doughnut Day created a space to connect with Country and community.

My first time seeing the Melbourne Doughnut was in Service Design class, as part of my Master of Communication Design program at RMIT. Our lecturer, Miek Dunbar, one of the creators of the Greater Melbourne City Portrait with Regen Melbourne, introduced the model to us, explaining its purpose and the information it represented. 

At first, I was drawn to the lovely hand-drawn icons in the visual. Then, when I noticed the red sectors radiating from the doughnut, I thought they showed areas where Melbourne excelled. As an immigrant who had heard about this city being named the "Best Place to Live" for several years, and as someone who genuinely likes this place, this interpretation made sense to me. However, Miek explained that the red sectors in fact represented crises, highlighting areas where action was urgently needed. This revelation challenged my initial perception of the city and made me see it in a new light.  

I do remember thinking at the time, why a doughnut? What was so special about this shape or cuisine? 

During my studies, I developed EcoQuest Melbourne, a tabletop game designed to localise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Australian audiences. The project aimed to engage players in sustainability topics by incorporating local species, landmarks, and initiatives into the gameplay. Inspired by Melbourne’s unique ecological and cultural identity, the game uses strategic decision-making and interactive storytelling to encourage participants to think critically about community challenges and opportunities. The project received funding from RMIT, with Miek as one of my supervisors. This experience deepened my understanding of using design as a tool for education and community engagement and aligned closely with my growing interest in place-based sustainability frameworks, such as the Melbourne Doughnut model.

Many hands make a Doughnut 

After completing my studies, Miek asked if I wanted to work with him and Regen Melbourne on a project. He mentioned planning an event for Global Doughnut Days. At the time, I was distracted by my personal project and had never heard of Doughnut Economics, so I thought he was referring to a doughnut food festival. I thought it clever to be promoting the doughnut model at an event with lots of yummy doughnuts. 

Of course, that wasn’t the case. When I joined the team, they were already working on initial concepts for the event and refining the Melbourne Doughnut model. That’s when I learned about the Australian Indigenous Doughnut, properly known as the Country Centred Doughnut Economy (CC-CE) model, which would play a key role in the event. This new understanding expanded my perspective on the event's purpose, showing how it sought to bring together different worldviews and approaches to sustainability. 

The idea behind "Walking Together on Global Doughnut Day" was to connect the Melbourne Doughnut model with the Australian Indigenous Doughnut model, offering participants a chance to reflect, discuss and connect. Our team was led by Alison Whitten, Systems Lab Director at Regen Melbourne, whose efficient leadership and valuable feedback guided us throughout the process. Paul Paton, the Chief Executive Officer at the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, represented the Indigenous perspective and, together with Good Human’s Strategic and Regenerative Design DirectorDamien Melotte, co-designed the Indigenous Doughnut. Paul’s supportive and affirming presence, combined with Damien’s practical yet creative ideas, were instrumental in shaping the project. Damien also played a critical role in facilitating conversations between the team and Paul, ensuring that the design process was collaborative and respectful. 

Georgina Nolan, a lecturer at RMIT and a PhD candidate, played a pivotal role during the brainstorming sessions. Georgina proposed an activity inviting participants to reimagine the Doughnut models, exploring new possibilities—a concept we hope to integrate into future events. Miek, as a core leader and key inspirer, was deeply involved in planning and decision-making throughout the project. 

“[The doughnut] is not just a static model, but an invitation to step into this space and to reflect on how we coexist with the environment and envision a more regenerative future.”

Nicole Barling-Luke joined the team, offering valuable suggestions during meetings and helping to organise and actively participate on the event day, ensuring its smooth execution. Together, we developed a concept that celebrated collaboration and highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in achieving sustainable and regenerative futures. 

There were so many new things to learn, and collaborating with the team made it rewarding. We worked on structuring the concept of the event and grounding it in physical experiences for participants. We also wanted to incorporate natural materials to create an engaging and tangible experience on the grass.  

A search for community and connection 

One of my main tasks was to build two large-scale doughnuts on the ground using natural and recycled materials. One challenge was finding materials that were easy to transport and assemble within the limited time, while also being safe for people to walk on. I visited recycling stores and discovered unexpected materials that worked nicely. A memorable moment was when I mentioned one of the store names during a meeting, and Damien was surprised it was still open – he had visited it 20 years ago. At that moment, I felt it was something that brought people together and was worth feeling proud of. 

One of Damien’s key contributions was the suggestion to use an infinity loop to connect the two doughnuts, symbolising the continuity of communication and connection – an idea that replaced our initial concept of using an ellipse. This space also displayed 12 strategies for reflecting Indigenous knowledge and allowed participants to write their thoughts. Damien sent me bamboo to help shape the loop. Working with bamboo felt familiar and deeply connected to my cultural background. The process of building – handling bamboo, wrapping it with yarn – made me feel even more connected to the event. 

The doughnuts in actioN

The event day greeted us with clear, sunny weather. We arrived early to set up the space, preparing the two doughnuts and the materials for participants. After introducing the event and explaining the concept behind the two doughnuts, the day officially began with a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony led by an Indigenous elder, setting a meaningful tone for the activities to follow. 

Participants were divided into three groups, each engaging with the doughnuts in different ways – observing, walking on them, or joining a discussion group. One of the most touching moments for me was seeing a participant carrying a small baby, walking barefoot on the doughnuts alongside others. It was a beautiful image of connection, both to the land and to the people around them. 

At the infinity loop, participants used yarn and cards to leave messages. Small groups naturally formed, with people chatting and weaving yarn as they reflected on the models. The messages written on the loop reflected diverse perspectives and thoughts inspired by the doughnuts, showcasing how everyone interpreted the models in their own way. Even pigeons joined in, walking across the doughnuts as if they too were part of the moment. 

Why a doughnut?

Reflecting back, I think I’ve found an answer to the question I had at the beginning: "Why a doughnut?" The doughnut shape represents harmony in a space where the needs of all living beings and the limits of the planet are respected. It’s not just a static model, but an invitation to step into this space and to reflect on how we coexist with the environment and envision a more regenerative future. 

As the day came to an end, I felt a deep sense of fulfilment. It wasn’t just about the physical materials or the event logistics, it was about the connections we created: between people, between cultures, and between ideas. I feel proud and grateful to have been part of something that brought people together to reflect on and celebrate the values of regeneration and care for the place we share. 

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