Thursday, 14 November 2024

 Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:16): The Wellsprings for Women Grow Green community garden in Noble Park is thriving. This community-led project is a powerful response to the urgent challenges of climate change, empowering the community to grow fresh produce, strengthen bonds, improve mental health and foster resilience. The community garden provides opportunities for people from different cultural backgrounds to come together and establish relationships outside of their immediate cultural groups, enhancing community connectedness and cohesion. It also provides an opportunity for those living in accommodation with little or no garden space to participate in activities that would otherwise not be available to them.

I had the pleasure of officially launching the garden with the planting of an olive tree, symbolising peace, wisdom and prosperity. Olive trees are considered lucky in various cultures and are associated with good fortune. They are also resilient, growing and thriving in the most challenging of circumstances, much like our wonderfully diverse community. At the launch we heard firsthand from the co-design team about their personal journeys and what this garden means to them. It was an inspiring day celebrating the local community, packed with fun activities for all.

These garden beds and infrastructure were made possible through a partnership between AMES Australia and the Noble Park Revitalisation Board, which I was privileged to chair. It was wonderful to see the Wellsprings for Women initiative engaging the community to bring this community garden to life. I would like to give a special thanks to AMES Australia for hosting and supporting the sustainable space and a heartfelt thanks to Robyn Erwin and the amazing Wellsprings co-design team Sabina, Randa, Elizabeth, Shakila, Layla, Uyen and Amina for developing the community garden concept and making it a reality. Their vision, passion and commitment have created a vibrant space where the community can now continue to grow, connect and create a united and sustainable future together.