By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
BERWICK Lodge Primary officially opened its community garden last week.
Casey mayor Mick Morland visited the school last Friday afternoon to open the new garden space, which can be accessed by the local community.
Berwick Lodge Whole School Events co-ordinator Lianne Morgan said planning for the garden had started more than a year ago.
“We were successful in receiving grants from South East Water, RACV, Coles Junior Land Care and Casey City Council,” she said.
“We have utilised a 400m2 space within the school grounds where a set of portables were removed to develop our community garden.
“We have had working bees on a few weekends and evenings to get the garden built.
“The garden has been built largely with generous donations of time, equipment and supplies from families within our school community.”
Parent and landscaper Andy Coupar helped design the garden, while tools and plants were donated to the school by a range of local businesses.
Students from Prep to Grade 6 will be able to use the garden, with each class currently having two garden boxes to plants seeds in.
“The students will be involved in discovering ways to improve the school’s use of water and energy and improve the school’s sustainability for the future,” Ms Morgan said.
“Our garden is ‘water wise’ and watered utilising harvested rain water collected in two 10,000lt tanks and spilt water collected from the drinking taps.
“Eventually, the garden will be watered from a solar-powered pump irrigation system.
“The garden is made from recycled materials where possible and all students are currently involved in creating a class scarecrow from recycled materials to feature within the garden on our open night.
“The garden includes fruit trees and has access for all with a mix of low and raised beds to cater for disabilities.”
For more information about the garden, visit the students’ blog at http://blpsgarden.global2.vic.edu.au/
