“I put an expression of interest notice on the community noticeboard at Blairgowrie shops in early 2017,” said Anne van Veen, president and founder of Blairgowrie Community Garden. “About 15 people showed interest and we plotted and planned for nearly 18 months around my kitchen table. Finally we got council approval to use two abandoned tennis courts at Stringer Road Reserve.”
The first job when the garden started in August 2018 was to build raised garden beds. The group was fortunate to have guidance from celebrated garden designer Fiona Brockhoff, who prepared a masterplan for the garden.
Creating a community garden takes people power, and it also takes money. Blairgowrie Community Garden has had generous support from the community and initially secured grants from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the Federal Government. This enabled the first raised beds to be built and a 22,500-litre water tank to be installed. Over time the group has self-funded the balance of its infrastructure, including a potting shed. A tool shed and hot house were paid for by member donations. Building assistance from the Men’s Shed and community garden members has helped bring the vision to life.
Blairgowrie Community Garden is a not-for-profit volunteer group and all money raised is put back into the garden. “We started out with around 30 family memberships,” Anne said. “We grew to about 80 family memberships before COVID hit then we were shut down during lockdowns. However, we’re back up to 77 family memberships.”
Membership is $20 for a family or single person. Members have access to the garden at any time. On the last Sunday of the month there is a working bee. In the warmer months, Friday night drinks in the garden are another chance for members to enjoy the social aspect the garden provides.
“We made the decision from the start for the garden to be communal. We thought that when people have their own plot they stick to themselves, but being communal we hoped people would join in and work together and that is what happens.”
The group hosted a community composting workshop and there are plans for similar workshops in the future. A Dromana Probus group toured the garden recently and was treated to morning tea and a chance to meet committee members and talk about everything from composting to seed propagation.
The garden has three large composting bays. Leafy green food scraps are supplied by Blairgowrie IGA, coffee grounds are collected from nearby cafes and sawdust from The Wooden Boatshop in Sorrento. It really is a community effort. A bin at the gate allows residents to drop off their own compost.
Before lockdowns, when the garden was really flourishing, the group donated surplus produce to charity organisations that distribute food to those in need. The group is looking forward to doing this again.
If you’re interested in becoming a member or learning more about Blairgowrie Community Garden, visit www.blairgowriecommunitygarden.org
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