Growing confidence and community
Local
A thriving community garden at Gilles Plains is proving to be much more than a place to grow plants and produce.
“I always say the garden is only about 10 per cent of what we’re doing here; it’s more about giving people the opportunity to connect and about building community,” said Wandana Community Garden coordinator Alan Shepard.
“Stopping for morning tea is just as important as the gardening, it’s an opportunity for people to socialise.
For the past 19 years Alan has run the Monday morning gardening program at Wandana, which is part of Centacare Catholic Community Services.
Originally based in Wandana Ave, the centre moved to Blacks Road in 2008. Since then the cracked clay soil and bare ground surrounding the buildings have been transformed into an oasis of fruit trees, irrigated vegetable and herb beds, and more than 250 indigenous plants which are helping to restore biodiversity. There’s a frog pond, a greenhouse and propagating shed, composting bays, a “plants for sale” fundraising section and even a native insect ‘hotel’.
Alan with the new mural.
The most recent addition is a healing garden comprising herbs and plants with medicinal and therapeutic properties, set against the backdrop of a colourful mural created by the gardeners.
The idea of the healing garden came from one of the group’s dedicated but quieter members who took to the project with great enthusiasm, bringing along plants propagated at his home and providing summaries of their various healing properties.
“Quite often people are very shy…it takes a while for them to feel confident,” said Alan, a nature educator who gives talks to adults and students on topics such sustainable gardening.
“Some people like working by themselves, some people like having the company…they can be a bit socially isolated, so it’s an important part of their week to come here and connect and develop friendships.”
Unlike other community gardens Alan is involved in, there can be a greater need at Wandana for support and assistance with some of the practical aspects of gardening.
Some members may not have their own gardens, living as they do in units, courtyards or with small social housing yards.
“But their main motive for coming is social contact,” Alan said, adding there is a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, ages and abilities.
“For example, we have one woman who is sight impaired and comes with a support worker. She would have trouble planting things, so she shreds newspapers for the carbon component of the compost.
“It’s something she enjoys and is a great way for her to contribute.”
Another woman in the group has been knitting beanies for everyone.
Two volunteers, one a retired builder and the resident handyman, help Alan and the program has up to 20 people who attend.
There is crossover with some of the other activities at the centre, such as the walking group.
One of Centacare’s Community Connections services, Wandana also runs patchwork quilting, senior fitness, the Little Steps playgroup and Scrapberries craft group.
“The centre itself is very welcoming and inclusive,” Alan said.
“Unfortunately we are losing our sense of a street community and so people find it in groups like this. It’s very rewarding – seeing people gaining confidence whilst connecting with nature are the main things.”
