Our story – Aireys Inlet Community Garden

A rural women’s forum in 2008 inspired a group of local women from Aireys Inlet to explore the possibility of establishing a Community Garden. They visited community gardens across the state and formed a steering committee, lobbied local government, found a site and eventually Community Garden 3231 was officially opened in 2010.

Follow the links below and read about our story. Also have a look at the early photos of the garden – it has changed a lot!

Press Release
The garden was officially opened on May 21, 2010 by Mayor Libby Coker. Here is the Press Release.

Article in News Angle
Terrence Hoffmann has written a number of articles for News Angle, the Anglesea Community House publication.
Check this article published in December 2010.

Who was Isla Stamp?
The garden is located at 2 Fraser Drive which turns into Isla Stamp Court. Have you ever wondered who Isla Stamp was? Find out here. Her niece is a current member of CG3231.

Snapshots from the early days..

Once the boundaries were surveyed the fences were installed. Water tanks were cut down to provide raised circular beds.

Wire for the fence went below the ground to deter rabbits.

Alex, who was Secretary of CG3231 for some time and Rod and Gretel were all involved from the early days.

Work on the shed.

The layout of the plots was carefully thought through to optimise northerly sun and slope. Kim Neubecker and Alex were involved in this planning.

Winter 2010—these plots were set up as no-dig beds with layers of cardboard and newspaper over the grass, then alternate layers of straw and manure. Potatoes were the first very successful crop.

Peggy and Daryl Love at the 2010 Easter Market recruiting new members.

This photo was taken probably in Spring 2010.

Workers including Alex Leknius, Susan Reilly and Graeme Teague

The first very successful crop of garlic was grown in what is now the berry bed.

A great crop of garlic!

Food has always been an important part of the Garden.

Graeme Teague, Susan Reilly, Keith Bremmer, Alex Leknius and Gretel Lamont gardening. Note the gravel path.

Harvesting broad beans

Looking towards the back corner—before the toilet and poo shed were installed. The donut peach is in!

_{The raised bed built to be wheelchair accessible. Despite Kim’s care with soil and nutrients, it was never used as such, used as a seedling bed, then later converted into a seed-raising bed, with covers to increase the temperature.}

Kim, in particular, encouraged the growing of flowers to attract bees and because they looked good!