East Gosford Community Garden will now be able to offer green-thumbed residents in the area a chance to attend gardening themed workshops after taking out the February round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterCentralCoast community funding program.
The Community Garden is a project of the Rotary Club of East Gosford and its members are thrilled to have received the $2000 grant for winning this month’s public vote.
What started out as a patch of dirt when established four years ago, members of the community have worked hard to transform the space into a very active passion project for residents of East Gosford.
The funding will be used to help deliver a series of workshops over the coming months focused on areas of interest, such as gardening in small spaces, how to grow edible flowers and ways to use homegrown veggies.
According to Vicki de Carle, long-standing Friend of the Rotary Club of East Gosford, the East Gosford Community Garden brings together locals of all ages, ranging from young families with toddlers through to wonderfully energetic seniors.
“The East Gosford residential landscape is made up predominantly of units and townhouses with little to no area for a garden, so our local shared green space is treasured by many,” said Vicki.
“We grow food to share, flowers to admire and teach others while working side by side. Saturday is our main gardening day, but we have volunteers that tend to the garden throughout the week to ensure it receives the attention and care it needs to thrive.
“Maintaining momentum through Covid was very hard for our members. We were unable to gather as a group and instead had to stick to a strict roster so that individuals could tend to the garden to maintain their connection and ensure years of work didn’t go to waste.
“We are thrilled to finally be allowed to bring everyone back together and kick-start the new year with this welcome funding boost that will enable our members to access some really interesting workshops,” said Vicki.
Also sharing in the funding for February were DP&P Quilters Wyong and San Remo BMX Club, who each receive $500 as runners-up.
Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam, said he was delighted to see the #GreaterCentralCoast program support such a worthwhile cause that fulfils such an important role for members of the community.
“It is great to see our funding helping community groups that offer a multitude of benefits for those involved,” said Josh.
“The East Gosford Community Garden not only gives people with a passion for gardening an outlet to practice and better their skills but also enables them to socialise with their neighbours and participate in a project focused on important aspects of health and wellbeing.”
Josh Swetnam, Greater Bank Regional Manager.
“Greater Bank services many customers in this demographic so it’s great that through this program we can expand our support to these people beyond their banking experience.”
The #GreaterCentralCoast program continues in March with Wyong Women's Shed, Coastal a Cappella and Noraville Scouts Association being nominated for funding. Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 31 March 2021.