Tom Parry

SALE’S Seed Community Garden has received a funding boost of $10,000 from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

The grant was publicly announced on June 20.

Garden facilitator Heather Watts welcomed the announcement, noting that the initiative relies heavily on grants and donations to operate.

“A lot of people assume that we’re part of (Wellington Shire) council and that we’re funded by council, and they’re always quite surprised when, you know, we go ‘No, we actually have to raise all the money to run this place’,” Ms Watts said.

“It was really good to get that grant, because that will help us run some activities for the next year, and to create those community events and that community connection.”

Ms Watts added that the venue had become “a hub” for numerous groups, having facilitated visits from a men’s support network, disability service providers, aged care homes, primary schools and kindergartens.

“It’s great that we’ve got a bit more funding to be able to keep that sort of stuff going,” she said.

The grant has been awarded as part of FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, which provides funding for “small yet vital community needs”.

The latest round of funding saw grants totalling $1,340,387 provided, shared between 131 different initiatives in regional, rural and remote locations across Australia.

“The majority of these grants are for practical, infrastructure-related projects that will enable local groups in rural places to continue to provide vital services, and ensure community spaces are safe, secure and welcoming,” Place Portfolio Leader at FRRR, Jill Karena said.

“These grants may be relatively small, but they can make a mighty difference to a rural community!”

Located at the Lake Guthridge end of Montgomery Drive, the Seed Community Garden continues to run a busy schedule, having recently hosted a Winter Solstice Celebration on Sunday, June 18.

According to Ms Watts, the event saw around 250 people attend.

The venue is “always looking” for new volunteers, and is currently in the process of selecting a new committee for the incoming financial year.

Plans for more garden beds and an orchard are also being considered.

For more information about the initiative, visit www.seedcommmunitygarden.org or send an email to seedcommunitygarden@gmail.com