Opinion

Community gardens

It's seldom recognised as a contributor to quality of life, at least to quality of city life, but I believe that community is one of the greatest contributors. For many it is sport, for some a big circle of work colleagues, but whatever it is, community is about more than friendships. Common achievement is strong in the mix, I think.

I have long thought that community gardens are a great creator of this force that is community. Members of such gardens have common endeavour and achievement, and bonuses are the mixing of generations, which is often missing in cities, and a sense of individual achievement for some who might not have experienced that for some time.

In my column in The Herald today I talk to a remarkable man, 76-year-old Alan Wallington, who has had a role in creating three community gardens in the Newcastle suburb of Mayfield in the past year. He tells us how he goes about it, and the first step is to find the land! The first garden is on Newcastle City Council land, the second on a Department of Housing block, and the third, which Alan is developing now, is on a disused bowling green of Newcastle Diggers at the City, which is the new and curious name for Mayfield Ex Services Club. Many councils are actively encouraging the creation of community gardens, and the co-ordinator of Newcastle council's greening program, Col Bartley, says it's more about people than plants.

I'm talking to Mr Bartley about establishing such a gardens in my neck of the woods, in the area around the border of Merewether and Adamstown, and I am confident many people would like to help create a community gardens community.

Do you see them as valuable a community resource as I do? And if you're interested in creating a community gardens, tell us the area - you might find a helper.

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 20/08/2009 6:03:00 PM | Comments (13)

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The old Waratah Bowling Club greens would make an ideal community garden. The club house is now the home of the Ethnic Communities Council.

Posted by gh, 21/08/2009 10:25:19 AM, on The Herald

Check out the effort down in Wickham at the Figtree Community Garden. I have spent a few weekends there and if I didnt have more family responsibility with a new baby, I would have spent a lot more time there. They have a range of activities not just gardening related. I go there to shovel soil. I like the physical challenge and effort involved in moving large quantities - something that others appreciate and very different from my day to day job at a computer terminal. Others build childrens toys, some maintain chooks. Most plant and harvest veges. Worth a visit. http://www.figtree.org.au/

Posted by Greg, 21/08/2009 10:58:30 AM, on The Herald

My wife and I went to a Figtree open day recently, Greg, and bought a pizza from the wood-fired oven in the gardens. It's a great place and in a month or so will be at its most spectacular.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 21/08/2009 11:10:34 AM

Jeff, I have always enjoyed your columns and they often reflect quality of life because they often focus on small, seemingly less important things. You have also written on empathy and one we share is cancer. I have frequently blogged in regard to my son's cancer, expressing my thoughts, sadly my son passed away on tuesday morning, one day short of his eighteenth birthday. DEVASTATING! Thanks for the opportunity of telling my story.

Posted by chaff and oats, 21/08/2009 11:10:05 AM, on The Herald

Oh chaff and oats, my heart goes out to you and your family. I know from your blogs that it's been a tough journey for both you and your son. There's something, I think, in the old line about being at peace.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 21/08/2009 11:28:38 AM

Community gardens are a wonderful way of involving the community in these days of isolation and over-consumerism. I belong to a wonderful group called Permaculture Hunter Region who are continually looking for new members to help form these gardens. Al Wallington is one of our helpers and does a great job. We have completed 2 gardens , one at the Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre at Lambton and one at the Beresfield Daycare Centre. now we are trying to encourage people to start their own backyard food gardens while still involving their local community by getting them to come and help set these gardens up as well as getting to know each other. So, Jeff, I would like to help you set up your community garden together with my team. Just email me and we'll see how we can help.

Posted by abrand65, 21/08/2009 11:44:13 AM, on The Herald

gh -good idea ! how about the newcastle bowling club greens as well?

Posted by gardener, 21/08/2009 11:49:37 AM, on The Herald

The response as set out by Chaff and Oats should set everything in its proper perspective. To lose a child such as this is beyond comprehension and understanding. My deepest sympathies to you and your family C&O

Posted by MizJasper, 21/08/2009 12:14:02 PM, on The Herald

chaff and oats, my deepest sympathy also goes to you as well. God Bless to you & your family mate..

Posted by Tough Titties, 21/08/2009 1:41:14 PM, on The Herald

Community gardens are a great idea especially for those that do not have a plot to grow their own flowers and vegies. One that may not be so well known, is at a nursery on Lake Road at Wallsend, I am not sure the story behind it, but it looks great. As for me, well I will stick with my own vegie patch in the back yard which gives me many hours of enjoyment as well as a good supply of fresh vegetables year round.

Posted by cardiffresident, 21/08/2009 1:56:51 PM, on The Herald

I would like to offer my condolences to chaff & oats at this difficult time. The loss of a child under any circumstances is terrible, but must be especially painful after a long battle with illness. May he rest in peace.

Posted by Directeur Sportif, 21/08/2009 2:07:46 PM, on The Herald

Chaff and oats, i am so sorry to read your sad news. i suppose you have mixed feelings of profound grief that your beloved son has passed on and relief that he doesnt have to suffer any longer. I am thinking of you in your family's time of such sadness. with love from the sarge.

Posted by senior sergeant smith, 21/08/2009 2:55:04 PM, on The Herald

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