Venue: JD's Merrylands
Present: Anastasia, Steven, Paul
Apologies: Karyn
1. Evaluation of group and achievements
What we did well:
- cleaned up the YCW backyard several times, clearing debris and removing rubbish
- found resources - manure, mulch, newspapers and links with Holroyd Council
- Organised to have several meetings and working bees
- Involved Karyn
- investigated ways of publicising the group
What we could do better:
- get more people involved in the garden
- fundraising and finances for the group need to be considered and planned for
- someone to take responsibility for the financial recording
- Investigate getting some chicken wire / mesh to keep the chickens out.
- investigate non-toxic ways to protect our plants once they are planted
- learn how to do blogging (explain how it works)
- Need to get some volunteers involved, possibly using Seek Volunteer and a stories on the local paper.
2. Holroyd Council Involvement
- council has contacted us and wants to know if we can work in partnership together.
- We said that we are open to possibilities and Paul will find out more information about the ways we can work together
3. Community Garden Visiting Day 6th December.
- There is a community garden which is going to be planned in Harris Park and they will be having a tour of community gardens, the group decided they would like to go on their own tour as they thought more people may be available
4. Next meeting / work day
Focus should be to get some plants into the plot.
Steven will ask Sarah to come along to the next work day / meeting.
When the watering system is connected, it should be connected to the back water tank so that people don't trip over the hose.
5. General Business
- group needs some training on chairing and minute taking
- YCW Planning Weekend on 26th of November - details are on facebook.
- Tap handle for the water tanks has gone missing
- Need to be aware of the amount of obstacles which people can trip over, e.g. garden hose and tools. Its important that as we work that people are safe
- Need to investigate getting a proper wheel barrow and a container to soak newspapers in, it will make our work easier.
- Group will design a flyer and letterbox the local flats around Granville / Merrylands.
Next Meeting TBA.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
International Eco Garden Gets Growing
Spring has come alive, and the YCW Interational Eco-Garden, is currently being renovated and cleaned up.
Achievements so far...
- Pruning the Frangipanni Tree (thanks Steven)
.jpg)
- Converting the garden beds into "No Dig" gardens
- Big cleanup of the back area, we removed three garbage bags full of plastic and other non-organic material.
- Mulch has been gathered from various sources, ready to be put on the garden beds.
- Basil seeds have been planted and are beginning to sprout, ready to plant in 2-3 weeks.
- All water tanks are operational and working and mostly 90% full
Ideas for future activities
Frangipanni's retail at nurseries for about $15-20. We maybe able to sell a couple to make up for the money spent on mulch and other garden items.
Steven pruning the Frangipanni Tree
.jpg)
.jpg)
Steven and Anastasia laying newspaper
to form the basis of the no-dig garden.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Achievements so far...
- Pruning the Frangipanni Tree (thanks Steven)
.jpg)
- Converting the garden beds into "No Dig" gardens
- Big cleanup of the back area, we removed three garbage bags full of plastic and other non-organic material.
- Mulch has been gathered from various sources, ready to be put on the garden beds.
- Basil seeds have been planted and are beginning to sprout, ready to plant in 2-3 weeks.
- All water tanks are operational and working and mostly 90% full
Ideas for future activities
Steven pruning the Frangipanni Tree
.jpg)
.jpg)
Nearing completion, but we need more newspaper please!
Steven and Anastasia laying newspaper
to form the basis of the no-dig garden.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Edmund Rice Centre has an Eco Justice Project which is three pronged. One of the sub projects is the Sydney Food Fairness Alliance. Check out the websites for some background information. I think these would be good for a discussion at a HEAT meeting to help connect the group to the wider regional and global issues.
http://www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au
http://www.erc.org.au
www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au
http://www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au
http://www.erc.org.au
www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au
Monday, September 1, 2008
HEAT Minutes 28-08-2008
Venue: JD's Hotel, Merrylands
Present: Paul, Anastasia, Steven.
Meeting started 6.45
Agenda Items
General Catchup
BBQ Oven
* We need to obtain pavers for the oven floor
* Buy Cement 2 bags
* Bring trowel
* Cement chimney shut
* Create a 2nd front part
* Create a second chimney at front. (Igloo shaped)
Garden Beds
* Need to finish measuring up the plots?
* How many plots will we have?
* Keep saving newspaper/cardboard/old carpet
* Obtain well rotted horse/sheep/cow manure
* Obtain strong containers to pick up mulch from Foray St, Guildford
* Where will we grow seedlings from seed?
Trees
* Trees need to be pruned, especially the mandarin tree.
* Investigate next council cleanup dates
4. People
* How will decisions be made?
* What are the rules?
* How will we communicate with the gardeners?
* When will the garden operate?
* What ways will we promote the international food garden? To YCW and beyond?
* When will someone be there? Are there any insurance issues we need to be aware of?
* What volunteer jobs will be able to be done by people who are doing work for the dole?
* How will we manage safety? What things will we do to ensure no-one gets hurt, and if they know what to do if someone does?
General Catchup
- Anastasia is looking for an activity after work, but is worried about the lack of public transport (in particular bus services from Parramaacktta to Greystanes). Paul suggested that she investigate Ecklersleys or the Parramatta Artists Studio's as they have some art based activities. It may also be good to see if Anastasia could catch the T80 to Gipps Rd, Greystanes and get lift from there. Another suggestion was to call Westbus and see whether they could run another bus at that time or call the 131500 feedback.
- Steven has been watching Planet Green on Foxtel, and is interested in people watching the series on Monday nights. Suggested that it may provide some ideas on what people around the world are doing to live more sustainably.
- Paul has been recovering after the party and will go to the Gardening Australia show. Paul to look for Heirloom or varieties that you can't buy in nurseries.
- Steven discussed the draft garden plan, which will be put online for people to comment on.
- Need to allocate garden plots to prospective gardeners.
- Discussion of what to grow. Paul was interested in Potatoes, eggplant and rhubarb. Anastacia was interested in carrots, potatoes and beetroot as well as Gerberas and African violets. Steven is interested in sweet potatoes.
BBQ Oven, Garden beds and trees were not discussed.
People
- There will be different people coming into the garden at times and it is important that there is good clear communication between people. A sign-in book was suggested so that people can record what time they came in, if they did any watering or if there are important things other gardeners need to know. The book needs to be kept in an accessible place.
- There needs to be some rules written to ensure everyone who is a part of the garden project understands what is expected of them.
- Volunteer jobs which can be done daily include, removing all rubbish (i.e. plastics and metal) from the large compost bin area at rear of YCW, turning the compost heaps, clearing vegetation away from the water tanks at the side of the YCW House, checking seedlings (once started by group), cutting the lawn and edging, sweeping the paths and BBQ area, & gathering and storing newspaper.
- Other fobs will include watering during the cool parts of the day, building up unallocated garden beds, sourcing free manure, mulch etc.
- Need to do a safety audit for the garden to make sure people are safe. When people have done the worksheet and been orientated they can work in the garden. Things to include are lower back safety and lifting, identifying spiders, using gloves, being aware of who is around you, and what to do if you get hurt. We probably need parents consent if people under 18 want to participate. Anastacia to check with Sarah.
Resources
- Anastacia will ask Sarah for some room to store tools and equipment in the old shed.
- There is a need to create a schedule for watering and tasks that need to be done, e.g. general tidyness as it is everyones responsibility no one tends to take ownership of it.
-We need to investigate when the best time for prospective gardeners to meet, discuss and work in the garden will be. Fridays seems to be ok at this stage, but we will need further consultation with people who may be interested.
- Paul to show group how the watering system works.
- A sign needs to be put up at the rear of the compost area with "this is not a tip - no rubbish please". It was suggested that Mark could make a sign and display it.
- All group members to keep grass clippings, newspaper and cardboard for the No-Dig Garden.
- Steven to bring pruning saw to trim Mandarin tree.
- We will need to contribute to a budget. Bags of sugar cane mulch are $12.50 from Bunnings, group decided each person would buy a bag and then we would see how we go.
- Paul & Steven to get started on Garden preparation, measuring plots on 5th September at 2.30pm
- Dinali is not interested in joining this group, but is interested in participating in hands on activities.
- Paul forgot to call Karyn, but will hopefully keep up to date via blog.
Meeting closed 8.30pm
Present: Paul, Anastasia, Steven.
Meeting started 6.45
Agenda Items
General Catchup
BBQ Oven
* We need to obtain pavers for the oven floor
* Buy Cement 2 bags
* Bring trowel
* Cement chimney shut
* Create a 2nd front part
* Create a second chimney at front. (Igloo shaped)
Garden Beds
* Need to finish measuring up the plots?
* How many plots will we have?
* Keep saving newspaper/cardboard/old carpet
* Obtain well rotted horse/sheep/cow manure
* Obtain strong containers to pick up mulch from Foray St, Guildford
* Where will we grow seedlings from seed?
Trees
* Trees need to be pruned, especially the mandarin tree.
* Investigate next council cleanup dates
4. People
* How will decisions be made?
* What are the rules?
* How will we communicate with the gardeners?
* When will the garden operate?
* What ways will we promote the international food garden? To YCW and beyond?
* When will someone be there? Are there any insurance issues we need to be aware of?
* What volunteer jobs will be able to be done by people who are doing work for the dole?
* How will we manage safety? What things will we do to ensure no-one gets hurt, and if they know what to do if someone does?
General Catchup
- Anastasia is looking for an activity after work, but is worried about the lack of public transport (in particular bus services from Parramaacktta to Greystanes). Paul suggested that she investigate Ecklersleys or the Parramatta Artists Studio's as they have some art based activities. It may also be good to see if Anastasia could catch the T80 to Gipps Rd, Greystanes and get lift from there. Another suggestion was to call Westbus and see whether they could run another bus at that time or call the 131500 feedback.
- Steven has been watching Planet Green on Foxtel, and is interested in people watching the series on Monday nights. Suggested that it may provide some ideas on what people around the world are doing to live more sustainably.
- Paul has been recovering after the party and will go to the Gardening Australia show. Paul to look for Heirloom or varieties that you can't buy in nurseries.
- Steven discussed the draft garden plan, which will be put online for people to comment on.
- Need to allocate garden plots to prospective gardeners.
- Discussion of what to grow. Paul was interested in Potatoes, eggplant and rhubarb. Anastacia was interested in carrots, potatoes and beetroot as well as Gerberas and African violets. Steven is interested in sweet potatoes.
BBQ Oven, Garden beds and trees were not discussed.
People
- There will be different people coming into the garden at times and it is important that there is good clear communication between people. A sign-in book was suggested so that people can record what time they came in, if they did any watering or if there are important things other gardeners need to know. The book needs to be kept in an accessible place.
- There needs to be some rules written to ensure everyone who is a part of the garden project understands what is expected of them.
- Volunteer jobs which can be done daily include, removing all rubbish (i.e. plastics and metal) from the large compost bin area at rear of YCW, turning the compost heaps, clearing vegetation away from the water tanks at the side of the YCW House, checking seedlings (once started by group), cutting the lawn and edging, sweeping the paths and BBQ area, & gathering and storing newspaper.
- Other fobs will include watering during the cool parts of the day, building up unallocated garden beds, sourcing free manure, mulch etc.
- Need to do a safety audit for the garden to make sure people are safe. When people have done the worksheet and been orientated they can work in the garden. Things to include are lower back safety and lifting, identifying spiders, using gloves, being aware of who is around you, and what to do if you get hurt. We probably need parents consent if people under 18 want to participate. Anastacia to check with Sarah.
Resources
- Anastacia will ask Sarah for some room to store tools and equipment in the old shed.
- There is a need to create a schedule for watering and tasks that need to be done, e.g. general tidyness as it is everyones responsibility no one tends to take ownership of it.
-We need to investigate when the best time for prospective gardeners to meet, discuss and work in the garden will be. Fridays seems to be ok at this stage, but we will need further consultation with people who may be interested.
- Paul to show group how the watering system works.
- A sign needs to be put up at the rear of the compost area with "this is not a tip - no rubbish please". It was suggested that Mark could make a sign and display it.
- All group members to keep grass clippings, newspaper and cardboard for the No-Dig Garden.
- Steven to bring pruning saw to trim Mandarin tree.
- We will need to contribute to a budget. Bags of sugar cane mulch are $12.50 from Bunnings, group decided each person would buy a bag and then we would see how we go.
- Paul & Steven to get started on Garden preparation, measuring plots on 5th September at 2.30pm
- Dinali is not interested in joining this group, but is interested in participating in hands on activities.
- Paul forgot to call Karyn, but will hopefully keep up to date via blog.
Meeting closed 8.30pm
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Solar House Day September 13/14th
Here are some venues for Solar House day in Western Sydney September 13/14th...
http://www.solarhouseday.com/locations/NSWVenues.shtmlOpen Sunday
- Inner-West & East venues
- South-Western suburbs venues
Getting Ready for Spring
It seems that the cold winter mornings are starting to become a little bit warmer. This winter was most definitely one of the coldest I can remember. I know many people were busy during World Youth Day, HEAT decided to take a break and now is the time meet again to work on our next project.
Steven, Anastacia and I have been drawing up plans for the YCW International Food Garden and will be allocating plots for individual communities to have a plot. After looking at the St Kilda Community Garden, it seemed that this might be a way to proceed (although we will review this as we go).
We will be beginning on ground work very soon and hope to work with Mark and the YCW Leaders Team to develop a plan that can involve many people in spreading the love of gardening and caring for our earth.
Stay tuned.
Paul
Steven, Anastacia and I have been drawing up plans for the YCW International Food Garden and will be allocating plots for individual communities to have a plot. After looking at the St Kilda Community Garden, it seemed that this might be a way to proceed (although we will review this as we go).
We will be beginning on ground work very soon and hope to work with Mark and the YCW Leaders Team to develop a plan that can involve many people in spreading the love of gardening and caring for our earth.
Stay tuned.
Paul
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