Aidan Curtis
A NEW community garden is aiming to help people grow their own vegetables while teaching them some handy skills along the way.
The ac.care Community Centre on Ferrers Street has just opened its brand new community garden where people can cultivate a combination of veggies and flowers.
New planters and garden patches have been put in out the front of the Centre, with ac.care clients putting in the bulk of the work.
ac.care Limestone Coast regional manager homelessness Kelly McGuinness said they had the idea for a community veggie patch before Covid, but the pandemic made them realise how important such a project could be for the community.
“Veggie gardening is something I’m passionate about at home as well and I knew that it has really positive effects,” she said.
“I think it’s more important than ever, there’s a lot of people that are socially isolated and we want them to be able to come here whenever they want.
“It’s going to generate conversations, inclusion, it’s going to be great.”
Ms McGuinness said she hopes to see the garden flourish, with plans to help people in need beyond giving them a green thumb.
“From this, we hope to do cooking classes and teach people how to cook the food once it comes straight out of the garden,” she said.
“The idea really is we want the whole yard turned into an edible jungle; that’s my vision and I’m going to work hard to hopefully make that happen.”
Community Centre client Mark McMahon said even the installation of the garden has been good for him.
“It’s been good for me because it gives me something to do daily and, not just me, a lot of other people use this facility,” Mr McMahon said.
“It’s been a big effort from everyone.
“The cost of living at the moment is pretty high, so it’s going to be good for the community to come in and help themselves, maybe plant a few things and put a bit in to the community.”
City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin helped plant some of the first seedlings to go in the garden.
She said she has been past the Community Centre just about every day and has been watching it grow with interest.
“I do actually enjoy gardening, it’s something I’ve enjoyed for many, many years,” Ms Martin said.
“I really think it’s a wonderful initiative and it’ll be wonderful for [ac.care’s] clients to take ownership of the garden and grow the produce for themselves.
“There’s always a lot of satisfaction in producing goods, so I look forward to seeing them reap the rewards of their work.”
The community garden is open to everyone who wants to have a crack at gardening.
