COFFS Regional Community Gardens Association members have welcomed Spring with the acceptance of an $18,000 NSW Government grant and receipt of a new ride-on mower.
It was purchased from the $6700 donated by the C.ex Club, through the Club Grants Program.
“This Community Building Partnership grant is for the extension of the existing concrete path within the gardens to provide all-weather disabled access to the toilets, which will be rebuilt,” Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said.
“This project is all about providing improved facilities for the many people who spend time at the Gardens, taking part in the many activities including workshops, open days, meetings and social events.
“The Coffs Regional Community Gardens prides itself on its focus on gardening, education, connection and community and I congratulate the volunteers for creating such a welcoming space in our city.”
In presenting the mower, C.ex Club representative Sheree Soderlund joined members to see the vehicle driven into the gardens by club member Bob Moulds.
“The Garden’s old ride-on mower, which had been donated by Geoff King Motors about 10 years ago, had broken down two months ago and it was not economical to have it repaired,” Mr Moulds said.
“The Garden has an area of over 3800 square metres with a large part of it being grassed, and with summer approaching, the mower will be well-utilised by the volunteers.”
Established in 2010, the Coffs Regional Community Garden located in Combine Street Coffs Harbour, is a thriving garden that has been tended by passionate and loyal members over the last 15 years.
“We have been very busy of late, improving access for the community and our members, and rebuilding all of our garden plots,” Coffs Regional Community Gardens Association President/Secretary Helen Plummer said.
“But as with all Community Gardens, the maintenance and updating of infrastructure needs to be done on a regular basis and is usually tended to by volunteers with knowledge shared and implemented where funds are available.
“We are incredibly grateful for these two wonderful grants, which have catapulted us into the future.
“The renovation of our toilet facilities, the extension of our disability walkways in the gardens and our ability to scoot around the gardens on a nice new ride-on mower, means the future of the gardens is assured.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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