Rotary Club of Carindale Environmental Project – working with volunteers to grow a community garden
Rotary Club of Carindale Environmental Project
In October 2023, a chance conversation sparked what has become a thriving community partnership. While emptying her compost bin at a council-approved site, one of our members met a small group of women working to establish a community garden. They had been allocated space on the grounds of the Anglican Church of the Annunciation in Camp Hill, but needed practical support to bring their vision to life.
Two water tanks had been donated to the project, however the group lacked the resources to relocate and install them. Our member invited the gardening team to present at a Rotary meeting, and it quickly became clear that this was a project where our Club could make a meaningful contribution. A visiting member from another Rotary Club, Bryce, was so impressed by the prospect of this project that he joined our Club.
In November 2023, an enthusiastic team of Rotarians joined forces with the garden volunteers. Together, they constructed a sleeper wall, installed weed matting, filled the area with crushed rock, and compacted it to create a stable base. With teamwork and determination, the tanks were manoeuvred into position, ready for connection. Within days of installation, rainfall filled both tanks—an encouraging and symbolic start to the project.
The collaboration continued to grow. One of our members, Charlie, contributed his professional landscaping expertise, developing a comprehensive design that expanded on the group’s original vision for the space.
Regular Saturday working bees followed, with volunteers preparing materials and building out the garden infrastructure. In July 2024, the project reached a significant milestone when more than 50 volunteers from Ernst & Young joined Rotarians for a major build day. Together, they constructed raised garden beds and climbing frames, significantly advancing the garden’s development.
In the weeks that followed, irrigation systems were installed, and the beds were filled with soil, mulch, and plants. Creative touches, including decorative features made from recycled bicycle wheels, added character to the space. In a practical effort to protect the garden, Bryce even crafted scarecrows to deter bush turkeys.
Today, the Watson Street Garden is a vibrant and welcoming community space. Volunteers gather every Saturday morning and warmly welcome visitors, fostering connection, sustainability, and shared purpose.