MISSION Australia Housing’s Barcoo Community Garden in Toormina has won the Australian Housing Institute’s Brighter Futures Award for a Tenant Led Initiative.
These awards recognise and celebrate those in the housing sector who excel in their work and make a significant and positive impact on people’s lives and their communities.
The community garden, officially opened in 2021 by Governor-General David Hurley, has flourished into a thriving community hub for Mission Australia Housing residents and the wider community.
Designed by residents with support from landscape architect Richard Elliott of GeoLink, the garden attracts more than 20 regular participants who meet weekly.
“We learn from each other, get exercise, enjoy the laughs and the great company,” a community garden member said.
“It’s a thrill growing food with our own hands.
“Some work, some talk, some cook – everyone contributes according to their ability.
“The garden has built friendships, reduced isolation, and taught mindfulness.
“We share what we grow, together.”
Community Development Manager at Mission Australia Housing, Jesse Taylor, told News Of The Area that “the community garden initiative has delivered significant social, educational, and economic benefits, including accredited training, employment opportunities and increased community participation.”
The idea of the garden came about in 2019/20, when Coffs Harbour residents were inundated with heavy bushfire smoke and multiple high-risk days of localised fire threats that included burning ash landing on rooftops.
The residents of Barcoo Court worked to reclaim the green space of a fire-gutted vacant lot to create a vibrant community garden as a platform for community engagement and wellbeing, social connectedness, mental health healing, recovery and referral education, and disaster preparedness skills building.
Its success has inspired more than 20 similar gardens across the area with Mission Australia and Homes NSW now supporting the creation of community gardens at the Argyll Estate in Coffs.
Phil Pettit, Community Greening Program Manager at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, described the Toormina project as “a jewel in the crown of the Community Greening Program.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can call Jesse Taylor at Mission Australia on 1800 269 672.
By Andrea FERRARI
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