Local profile: Peter Gallagher 14–15 Local profile: Lewis Brandt 16–17 Anglesea Community Garden

Growing a community

By Peter Scott, Convenor

Not just serious gardeners gather and thrive at the Anglesea Community Garden.

Current members include experienced gardeners, learner gardeners, and others who just want to join a community group to meet people and have some fun. It is a welcoming space, designed for people of all ages and abilities to come together, have fun and grow organic fruit and vegetables. Although some community members were already utilising the space on the vacant block of land, the Anglesea Community Garden (ACG) was officially opened in October 2010. Since then, the garden has grown to become the productive, beautiful place it is today. It’s an inviting place with a mix of community and individual plots, a hot house for propagation, water tanks, an orchard, grape vines and a berry enclosure. Compost bays and a worm farm are also managed onsite to provide valuable nutrients for the garden beds. A large shelter with a hand-built pizza oven offers a protected space for the many social get togethers throughout the year (harvest parties, pizza nights, and Christmas in July to name just a few). It’s an inclusive and friendly environment for sharing ideas, knowledge and produce. A monthly working bee is held on the first Saturday of each month (except January) starting at 9 am. The working bee is followed by a morning tea and a sharing of the produce harvested that day. Recently, there have been bumper crops of pumpkins, lettuce, cauliflowers and broccoli. The lemon trees have also been reasonably productive this season. The garden also has pots of herbs available for picking as required. Included with your membership is the monthly newsletter with a seasonal planting guide suitable for our temperate climate, and a schedule of activities, and reports on previous functions. Supported by the Anglesea Community House, ACG is open to permanent and non-permanent residents. Membership is $25 a year (family) and individual plots are available for $30 a year. There are currently around 200 members, and the ACG welcomes newcomers. Drop by and have a look for yourself, come along to a working bee, or follow us on Facebook, and see what a delightful and functional garden and gardening group this community has. Email: Angleseacommunitygarden @gmail.com for further information, or visit anglesea.org.au/ community/interestgroups/angleseacommunity-garden.

Garden member Michelle Rooney and daughter Harriet tending the children’s garden (Photo: Marcelle Renkin)