We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our Giving Program funding for 2024. Through our Giving Program, we are providing $20,000 to help fund gardening and horticulture projects being delivered by not-for-profit organisations in Victoria. We received a great number of very worthy proposals and we thank everyone who made a submission. While we cannot support all projects, it is heartening to see such great garden and horticulture activity going on across the state. Read on to learn more about the community spirit these organisations are generating through their exciting garden projects.

Leongatha Community Garden $5,000

The Leongatha Community Garden aims to engages the community in gardening, education and sustainability while addressing food insecurity and promoting social interaction and healthy living. Their projects bring gardeners together and foster community spirit.

They will be using the Giving Program funding to replace 50 timber framed garden beds with more sustainable, long-lasting beds that require minimal maintenance. The fresh produce grown in these beds will be available to the local community. They will also use the funding to host regular working bees and BBQs for members.

The Lighthouse Foundation $5,000

The Lighthouse Foundation gives kids experiencing homelessness or trauma the support they need to heal, grow and achieve a lifelong sense of belonging. They do this by providing homes and therapeutic care to the young people who need it, where they need it, for as long as they need it.

The Foundation will use the Giving Program funding to create a therapeutic and edible sustainable garden at the Lighthouse home for vulnerable and disadvantaged young parents and children in Heathmont. This will promote the learning and enjoyment of gardening, sustainability and healthy eating.

Nexus Primary Health – Seymour Community Garden $5,000

Nexus Primary Health provides a comprehensive range of primary care and community health services to the Mitchell and Murrindindi communities. Following consultation with the community, they identified the value in developing the Seymour Community Garden Network.  

The Giving Program funding will be used to develop a community garden that supports skill development and the consumption of fresh, healthy produce. Produce will be shared within the network and donated to a monthly food relief event.

The Patch Primary School $5,000

The Patch Primary School is in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria and the large grounds include student-designed landscapes that have won awards for both design and sustainability. Around 300 students participate in regular and meaningful projects to improve biodiversity, reduce resource use and improve sustainability.

They will use the Giving Program funding for their “Bringing Gardens Back to Life” project which will see the revegetation of two important sites on the school campus – the front of school and kindergarten area and an area that leads to existing habitat restoration projects. To empower students with voice and agency, they will lead this project and will be involved in designing, creating and managing the new landscapes. Students will also create artwork to help educate about local flora and fauna.

Our Giving Program is funded with revenue generated by our garden openings, events and Friends memberships. We can’t wait to see these projects come to fruition. Watch this space!