AT the intersection of Karrinyup and Huntriss roads, City of Stirling residents are sowing the seeds of community spirit and reaping the rewards.
The Gwelup Crossroads Community Garden is a labour of love for the many locals and volunteers who have forged friendships while working tirelessly to transform Scarborough Church of Christ’s land into a vibrant community food garden.
Their dedication, co-operation and passion have ensured its success, with the garden’s recent expansion from 11 plots to 64 allotments celebrated during a festival.
Assistance from the City of Stirling, Health Department, Now Green and Outcare also enabled the addition of a community meeting area, pizza oven, fruit trees and art work, adding even more life and colour to the 1400sq m organic garden.
The project is the brainchild of Senior Pastor Paul Sanders’ wife Dianne, who’s proven on more than one occasion that she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.
“I’d been involved with establishing a ‘garden-to-kitchen’ vegie garden when I was the Parent and Children’s Liaison Officer at Newborough Primary School and I loved the idea of people joining together with a common purpose,” she told Residential.
“I wanted to become more involved with the local community around Scarborough Church of Christ, so I left my job and volunteered at the church.”
Mrs Sanders, who heads the garden’s committee of community and church members, said the project united people of all backgrounds and abilities, with the garden beds raised high to cater for people who use wheelchairs.
“The aim of the garden is to bring people together and provide a place where they can share their love of gardening and community,” she said.
“It is also a place of education, where we learn about our environment and our impact on it.
“We believe it is important to acknowledge the land’s indigenous history and we will soon be planting bush tucker plants.”
While the new allotments have yet to yield produce, some of the corn, silverbeet, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables grown in the original plots have been donated to the church’s community cafe, which provides residents with a free meal every Thursday night during the school term.
Mrs Sanders said many locals preferred to grow fruit and vegetables in a Crossroads Community Garden allotment than their own back yard.
“Some people have little room on their property for a vegie patch, while others like to share the experience and meet people who enjoy gardening,” she said.
“For someone who’s not sure how to grow vegetables, they may like to be where they can access the advice and experience of others.
“Some retirees like to socialise while enjoying their hobby, and people from playgroups and schools like to teach children about the joys of growing vegies and what they look like.”
Mrs Sanders said future garden plans included a compost system and food forest of bush tucker plants and edible fruits.
Blossoming with community spirit, there’s little doubt the Gwelup garden is one of the most valuable pieces of land in the City of Stirling.