Community spirit

Thanks to the generosity of a supplier, a lawn-care operator and some local people, a community garden in Victoria has been given the chance to blossom.

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Bedford Park Community Garden in Ringwood, Victoria, is more than just a not-for-profit area where local people can grow plants and vegetables.

Garden coordinator Ellen Clarke loves the way the public can share the space she cares for and manages.

"It's not an enclosed garden with plots to rent," explained Ellen. “It’s an open garden where people can walk a dog, kick a ball with the kids, and where parents bring their cuppa over and sit in the gardens while they wait for their kids to have ballet lessons next door.

"It's all supported by community members coming in to help us keep the garden going, and that's where Stuart was absolutely amazing."

Viking spirit

'Stuart' is Stuart Hill, owner/director of Viking Lawn Care & Irrigation.

Stuart knew that Reece had been involved in community projects. When he heard Ellen was looking for some help with planning and installing an irrigation system, Stuart thought it sounded like a deserving project.

"Ellen didn't ask if there were any grants or if I could do it any cheaper," remembered the Warrandyte-based lawn-care and irrigation specialist. "She just said they had a small kitty and she'd found they needed some irrigation done."