Hi fellow gardeners,
We are now 4 years old.
What a wonderful 4 years it's been. Apart from the Garden developing into a wonderful serene and productive space it's the friendships forged along the way that are it's best achievement.
The Garden has a strong community feel and support. Now that we are back into the Garden (re Covid restrictions) the rats seem to be gone and the produce is growing fast and needs members to harvest.
The latest edition to the Garden is the brick garden wall seat around our feature tree which looks great. The new hot house with shelving is enabling us to grow produce from seed. So far lettuce, beetroot and sunflower seeds have now developed into seedlings which have been now been planted out in the Garden- such excitement.
Our wine drive is now finished and thanks for supporting it. All proceeds are going to charity- Food For All, as our Committee want to give something back to our wide community in these hard times. Food For All does such good work helping disadvantaged on the Southern end of the Peninsula.
Regards
Anne
Gate Access Code
The gate access code was changed and all financial members as at 7th Nov 2022, along with new members, have been provided with the new code.
New Key Safe
We use a key safe to contain the keys to the pavilion. The old key safe on the gate has been replaced with a wall mounted version fixed to the pavilion under cover next to the door. It uses the same code as the gate padlock.
Watering Roster
Thankyou to everyone who volunteered or were coerced into helping with the watering roster over our hot weather. The rosters are now over and we now rely on rainfall. If you are at the garden and anything looks dry, please give it a water.
Hot house is watered automatically
Our hot house is connected to the water tank with a battery operated timer to control a new sprinkler system
Working Bees
We now hold working bees for all members at the garden on the 1st Sunday of every month starting at 9.30 am to 11.30.
We finish with morning tea in the garden if the weather is suitable, otherwise in the pavilion. Members are welcome to bring a plate.
Entry to Garden post easing of Covid restrictions
Covid-19 regulations, updated 5/09/2022
In line with Mornington Peninsula Shire Covid-19 guidelines, the Blairgowrie Community Garden is only open for members and visitors who are vaccinated as per Victorian Government regulations.
Thank you for your co-operation. The pavilion is open for Members to use.
Your Committee:
Your Committee that was elected at our General Meeting Oct 2022 for the 12 months of our 2022/2023 year are:
President: Anne Van Veen tel 0402 372 136
Vice President: Tony Weir
Secretary: Penny Doery
Treasurer – Warwick Watson
General committee members:
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Vivien Smale
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Libby Weir
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Deb Olive
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Christine Seedsman
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Peter Hobb
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Marilyn Cunnington
Sub-Committees:
Our General Committee now has an enthusiastic group of members, however if you would like to help out we are always looking for members to join our sub-committees. You do not need to be on the General Committee.
Please contact Anne if you would like to assist.
Social: Libby Weir
Membership: Warwick Watson
Infrastructure & Maintenance: Tony Weir
Communication to Members
All our communication is via email. We do not post out anything. It is your responsibility to keep your email contact details with us up to date. Please send any amendments to bcgveggies@gmail.com
Garden Rules
The Committee have drawn up a simple set of Garden Rules:
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All plots are communal and major gardening decisions will be made by consensus of the committee and members.
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Tools must be cleaned and put away when not in use and if any tools or areas are damaged, please contact a committee member.
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Children to be supervised.
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No smoking inside the garden area or pavilion.
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No dogs allowed
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Ensure premises are locked when leaving.
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We respect the environment and do not use any harmful chemicals to control weeds and pests.
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Settle any dispute through calm discussion and goodwill. If issue remains unsolved the committee will have final decision.
These rules will be on display in the pavilion.
Committee meetings
Your Committee meets every month.
Please note the Committee will have an agenda to work through, but we want this to be an inclusive group and all members are welcome to attend Committee Meetings. Please contact our President Anne van Veen prior to the meeting if you wish to attend.
Membership stays at $20 for a family for 2022/2023 year
Our $20 household membership fee remains unchanged. Our membership year runs from 1st September to 31st August each year. All financial members as at Sept 2022 have been sent an invoice for the new years fees. Please pay asap. The gate access code will be changed end of October.
Existing members: you do not need to fill in a new membership form. Please just pay via direct bank transfer to:
Bendigo Bank bsb 633 000 account number: 167642008
account name: Blairgowrie Community Garden.
Make sure you add your name to the bank transfer.
New Members: please click the "Join Us" tab on this website and complete the online application form and pay your $20 fee.
Thank you for your support of the community garden. We look forward to your membership renewal.
Use of the Pavilion
Included in our lease with Council we have the rights to use the old tennis pavilion.
It is our responsibility to keep it clean and tidy. The kitchen has a kettle and the Garden provides tea bags and instant coffee so please help yourself. There is a fridge in the kitchen but it is not feasible for the Garden to supply fresh milk, so please bring your own or check in the cupboard as there may be long life milk there.
The Point Nepean Mens Shed have built a new shed next to our garden. Their shed does not have a kitchen so we are pleased to share our facilities with them.
There is a first aid kit and sunscreen in the kitchen. During working bees and open days over summer members are reminded to use the sunscreen. There is also a big supply of hand sterilizer in the pavilion which was donated to us.
Access to our garden
All members have been supplied with the code for the padlock which allows access to the garden. Some members have had trouble opening the padlock. Some of that is caused by the previous person locking the gate; please ensure that the "Master" brand name is facing up when the lock is closed. Otherwise it will be upside down for the next person.
If you have the correct 4 digit code you will not need to force the padlock, but it does not pop open, just a gentle pull. If you are having problem opening the lock here is a short video.
