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The Burdekin Community Garden opened for the 2024 season last Monday morning April 15. This year marks its third year of operation after it was initially established through generous donations from the congregation of the Burdekin Community Church in 2022.
The garden exists to grow fresh produce to share free of charge with the local community through the Burdekin Community Association and local school Chaplains. During the first two years of its existence, the garden has produced a bountiful harvest of corn, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchinis, silverbeet, potatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, passionfruit, bananas, and pawpaw. Much to the delight of many Pacific Island workers in our district, the garden also produces cassava, taro and aibika (commonly referred to as slippery cabbage).
Growing fresh fruit and vegetables is just the tip of the iceberg when considering the purpose of the garden. Providing a safe place for people to meet, have a cuppa and a chat and just enjoy the outdoors in the company of others is another very important function of the garden.
Over the last two years the garden has hosted Year 6 student groups form the Burdekin Christian College and Ayr State School as well as the graduating class from the Burdekin School. In addition to school students the garden has been a wonderful meeting place for local people from all walks of life.
Everyone is welcome to come to the garden located at the rear of the Burdekin Community Church on International Drive. However, Monday morning from 9 am - 12 noon is the best time to visit. Every Monday morning, excluding Public holidays, garden co-ordinators Karina Lima, and Rhonda and Rodney Williams are present to show people around the garden. They are more than happy to make visitors a free cuppa to share over a chat and some morning tea. Weeding and other garden work is always optional at the community garden.
Should visitors desire a better-quality cuppa and a piece of home-made cake, this is available at Cafe Connect which is held nearby in the church office building at the same time. For a small fee your host, June Shaw, will treat you to a lovely morning tea and conversation in air-conditioned comfort. All the profits from Cafe Connect are donated locally to provide support from victims of domestic violence.
Everyone is welcome to come and share in the comradery of the Burdekin Community Garden and Cafe Connect.
Want more information. Find us on Facebook or contact us at burdekincommunitygarden@gmail.com.
Contributed by Rodney Williams
Burdekin Community Garden invites members of the public to the garden on Monday mornings. Photo supplied
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