As we wrap up another incredible year at our community garden, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our members, volunteers, partner organisations, and the broader community.
Projects that left a mark
Renovation of the all-abilities nursery area
It was all hands in to completely renovate our all-abilities gardening area. Originally built in 2009, it was in dire need of an upgrade. Thanks to the amazing support from the A.L Lane Foundation, the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, Perry and Rose Cho, and hours of volunteer time we now have a beautifully redesigned space that enhances usability for everyone.
Pond redesign
Member Attila Gaal has poured his heart into redesigning our pond to create a better habitat for frogs while tackling the invasive kikuyu grass. The transformation is impressive, and while there’s still work to be done, Attila's dedication has truly shone through.
New blinds and path resurfacing
Thanks to a community grant from Warrnambool Racing Club, we installed blinds on the west end of the HUB veranda. This trial installation has been a hit making it much more pleasant, even on windy days. We resurfaced paths in the herb garden and HUB area using our own funds and donated gravel from Tim Bligh making it easier for everyone to navigate.
Shed and tractor upgrades
A grant from Regional Development Victoria allowed us to build a larger shed and purchase a tractor. The shed is now up and running, with the tractor set to be on site in early January. These improvements will greatly benefit our community in reducing the manual handling for volunteers and providing a workshop space.
Sprouts Club expansion
Our Sprouts Club children's garden received a significant extension this year. With funding from various sources and incredible support from Perry and Rose Cho, we completed a concept plan that includes an amazing mural by local artists Jimmy Buscombe and Sheridan Rose.
Community donations
In late 2023, Wayne Saunders from Warrnambool Garden Equipment Repairs generously donated a new ride-on mower to replace our ageing one. It's been given a workout over the year, reducing the time it takes to do this mammoth task. This kind of community support makes all the difference!
Cultural contributions
We’re proud to showcase new artwork by Peek Whurrong Elder Robbie Lowe Sr on our reflection seat, which tells important stories about the land we cultivate.
Events and activities
While some achievements are visible, others are less so but equally impactful.
Kids in the Kitchen: Our Sprouts Club has been running monthly kids' cooking classes for free thanks to a grant from Warrnambool City Council. These sessions have been fully booked almost every month!
Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser: We held a BBQ that raised significant funds for our running costs. The generosity of our community in donating food and drinks was heart-warming.
Recognition for leadership: Our Deputy Convenor Courtney Mathew was honoured as Warrnambool’s Young Citizen of the Year for her leadership efforts, including launching Fruit Rescue. Rob Porter was named Inspiring Individual in the Wannon Volunteering Awards, alongside the garden's recoginition in the group award.
Miura Friendship Garden collaboration: We collaborated with community at our neighbouring site at the Japanese Miura Friendship Garden hosting the first ever Miura Matsuri festival in May.
Open Day success: In October, we hosted our first open day since before COVID-19, welcoming over 500 visitors! It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the garden.
Looking ahead
As we move into 2025, we're excited about ongoing projects like completing the quarry redevelopment and rejuvenating our market. We’re working on implementing the approved constitutional changes to enhance our charitable status.
Our weekly activities will continue as usual—bringing people together around gardening, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. We’re always looking for ways to improve and expand our offerings through workshops and educational programs.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone involved this year. Whether you’ve volunteered your time or simply enjoyed what we’ve created together, your contributions matter. Let’s keep this momentum going into 2025!
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