From classroom to countryside: A Radford Collegian story behind Aranya Acres

Set against sweeping rural views and grounded in a deep respect for Australian native flavours, Aranya Acres is more than just a new dining destination, it is a story of passion, purpose, and the journey beyond Radford.

Recently featured by HerCanberra as a venue “promising quintessential native flavours and endless views,” Aranya Acres is already capturing attention across the region. For the Radford community, however, it holds an even deeper significance.

Congratulations to Radford Collegian Emily Cunich (Class of 2012) on the opening of Aranya Acres, an exciting new food, wine and events destination set among the vineyards of Wamboin, just outside Canberra.

Co-founded with her partner, Jovi Arya, Aranya Acres brings together innovative dining, local winemaking and a vibrant cultural program, exploring the intersection of Australian native ingredients and multicultural influences. Alongside the restaurant, Emily leads a dynamic events and arts offering, including weddings, live music, craft workshops, burlesque, brag bingo, and a rotating gallery showcasing local artists.

At its heart, this venture reflects a journey familiar to many within the Radford Collegians network, taking the values, curiosity, and confidence nurtured at Radford and transforming them into something meaningful in the world.

From early moments of learning and discovery to forging a distinctive path as an arts curator and now co-creator of a unique regional hospitality and cultural hub, Emily’s journey is one our whole community can be proud of.

The venue itself is a reflection of this ethos. With a thoughtful focus on native Australian ingredients and an immersive dining experience, Aranya Acres weaves together storytelling, culture, and place, creating a space where people gather, connect, and share.

Emily’s story is a powerful reminder of the diverse and inspiring pathways our Collegians take, where passion meets purpose, and where the connection to Radford continues well beyond graduation.