Page 1127 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 3 May 2022
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Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Charnwood—community garden
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (4.28): Autumn is a wonderful time of year in Canberra. Non-native trees erupt into garlands of scarlet and gold leaves, providing visual warmth to balance the arrival of shorter days and cooler temperatures. Jackets and jumpers come out of cupboards, and thoughts turn to crackling fires and the comfort of hearty, home-cooked meals. Autumn is also the time when many fruits and vegetables are ready for harvest—an ideal time, therefore, to visit a community garden.
I rise today to thank convenor Teresa Rose and the Charnwood Community Garden Committee for inviting me to join them and many garden members this past Sunday afternoon in celebrating the completion of their new shelter. This event was an opportunity to thank those who had helped construct the shelter by working on the building and attendant landscaping, as well as business owners and community members who gave discounts on construction materials or made financial donations.
The Charnwood Community Garden was established in the 1980s and is one of the largest in Canberra, with 45 different plots. Membership reflects a wide range of both ages and cultural backgrounds, resulting in a diverse array of fruits and vegies that are grown. Plots are maintained by individual members, but of course a community garden is a gathering place where both expertise and tastes are shared.
The end result is obviously good for the environment and very good for families. Research has found numerous benefits to growing, cooking and eating one’s own food, especially when done as a family or as part of a community. These benefits include improved health and nutrition; decreased use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; improved mental health; and better academic performance at school.
Children who understand where produce comes from and how to make it grow often enjoy a wider variety of healthy foods and better understand the importance of protecting and caring for landscapes. Being able to grow one’s own fruit and veg certainly helps during this difficult time of inflation and disruption to supply chains.
I am grateful for the concept of community gardens and for the existence of two such gardens in my electorate of Ginninderra, with one in Cook, in addition to the one in Charnwood. I would be grateful to see more community gardens and also the
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