How a Bundjalung dancer transitioned from the stage to the screen

Gardening · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a familiar face on Gardening Australia for ten years, Clarence Slockee followed a diverse path. From performing with NAISDA to working on Sydney's Barangaroo development, the Bundjalung man now merges traditional Indigenous plant wisdom with high-tech landscape design to create innovative, edible rooftop city farms.

A proud Bundjalung man, Clarence Slockee grew up in the heart of Bundjalung country near Tweed Heads. His early life was defined by a deep connection to the land and sea, shaped by a family of farmers and fishermen. This upbringing provided an early education in the rhythms of nature, from fishing in Cudgen Creek to identifying rainforest plants in the hinterland.

Slockee’s professional trajectory is remarkably diverse. Before becoming a familiar face on ABC’s Gardening Australia, he honed his performance skills at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA). His work there included running music and dance workshops and appearing in the documentary 'Dreamtime to Dance'. This creative background eventually intersected with horticulture when he served as an education officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

It was during his time at the Royal Botanic Gardens that Slockee met former presenter Angus Stewart, a connection that led to his guest presenting role and subsequent ten-year tenure on the program. While building his television career, Slockee also balanced the demands of full-time work on the Barangaroo headland development with university studies, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Today, Slockee applies this unique blend of expertise through his own company. As a co-founder and director, he integrates Indigenous plant knowledge with advanced landscape design. His current focus is the creation of a rooftop city farm, a project designed to supply edible, medicinal, and cultural plants to urban environments.

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