A Very Special, Multi-Day Event hosted in the Southern Beaches Community Garden
Two days of music and dance from across Australia, the Torres Strait Islands and Cuba…
Market Stalls, a licensed bar, free children’s workshops and delicious food.
There’s something for everyone.
As if the children’s smiling faces weren’t enough, this heartfelt thank you from C & K Coolangatta Community Kindergarten is the icing on the cake.
Dearest Di,
Special thanks to Di, Archie and Judy who came to our centre on the day and to SBCG for the generosity of time, labour, supplies and kindnessđ
Of all the happy faces in the garden, theirs are always the happiest.
Wearing black t-shirts and infectious smiles youâll find them. Getting tucked into any task that needs attending. No job is too big or too trivial for this crew.
They are Team Lemonade, a disability service organisation serving the southern Gold Coast and The Tweed.
Ask them and theyâll tell you, theyâre just happy to be there. In the company of their fellow team members, lending a hand and contributing in any way possible.
In April of 2020, the group was started by Elaine Johnston, a mother who wanted more for her oldest son, 31-year-old Nathan, who has Downs Syndrome and autism.
âA lot of people let my son get away with a lot when he was young. âThatâs alright, heâs got a disability.â Actually, itâs not alright. Iâve taught him right from wrong and youâre allowing him to do what he likes because you feel empathetic for himâŠWe (at Team Lemonade) empower, not enable, thatâs a huge thing we do,â says Johnston.
Starting with only her son and two other students just over 18 months ago, today Team Lemonade is comprised of 11 staff and 35 team members. Members that range in ages from 19-39.
They are based out of present-day Kirra Cultural Centre atop Kirra Hill where many of the team members went to school as young children. Johnston says doing so has helped to create a sense of familiarity and belonging which the team members find very appealing.
And while many of the classroom programs revolve around literacy, numeracy, and general life skills, a large percentage of Team Lemonadeâs educational opportunities are undertaken outside, in and around the community. These events involve work experience outings, health and fitness instruction at local gyms and volunteer opportunities; one of which is visits to the Southern Beaches Community Garden.
Everything is done based on a lesson Johnston learned almost fifteen years ago from three Aboriginal elders while working as a special needs teacher. It revolved around the Indigenous belief that hierarchy should not be triangular but, rather, circular.
This circular perspective renders the place of actual teaching irrelevant. And, in the end, teaching moments abound. More often than not, when least expected; which is how a wrong turn in her car helped the Team Lemonade director stumble onto the SBCG.
âThey learn what they need to learn. We benefit from their knowledge and everyone just learns from each other. All with no (traditional) hierarchy, it just doesnât work,â says Johnston.
And the director of Team Lemonade is not alone in this belief. Janelle Staggard, who worked with her current boss at the Coolangatta Special School almost 16 years ago and has known many of the Team Lemonade members for 20 years, agrees wholeheartedly.
âI think weâre setting them up to, actually, fail at school,â Staggard says of the current special needs school programs. âWhat weâre doing is trying to provide a mainstream curriculum to guys that donât fit into the box.â
And, according to Staggard, the SBCG grounds are a perfect out-of-the-box experience. Perfect from a holistic perspective in that it provides a real grounding opportunity to members that too often find themselves amidst a world of sensory overload.
She adds the garden requires members to get outside, explore and be hands-on. All in the pursuit of learning what can and cannot be grown, built, or improved upon. And better still, all while finding their own path towards becoming contributing members of society.
On this day the members engaged in this ongoing process of discovery include Andrew (29), Tim (34), David (31), Mitch (33), Joel (27) and Nathan (31).
Pruning tools, garden hoses, and a pitchfork for compost turning are the tools of the trade for the dayâs excursion. One that also involves a quick lesson in worm composting. With minimal instruction from the three Team Lemonade staff members (done in a ratio of 3:1), the team members divide and conquer.
Except for Mitch, who is new to the program, the others are familiar with the routine and dive right in with the first-timer Mitch, quick to follow suit. Each member has their own section of garden to tend to and with water nozzles set to a light drenching mist, they tackle their assigned plots with gusto.
A gusto including plenty of friendly banter and laughs. Along with the occasional mischievous blast of water directed at their nearest team member. All of which serves as a not-so-subtle reminder: these disabled garden volunteers thrive on the activity and, even more obvious, love each otherâs company.
During an equally jovial lunch break in the garden beneath some nearby trees, team member Joel confirms this stating simply, âI enjoy Team Lemonade because itâs a group of people that I get to be next to and talk to.â
Itâs an unmistakable common theme running through the entire group and their unbridled enthusiasm maintains the afternoonâs positivity and fun. No one is immune from the buzz. Least of all the team staff members.
Staggard says the Team Lemonade members have helped her learn to âlive life without boundaries.â Sheâs quick to comment that the emotions of the team members are genuine and sincere. They donât want or expect anything in return in their dealings with others. âTheyâre just in this present moment and we live so much in the past or in the future. We forget about the right now.â
As an outsider, itâs both a unique and refreshing perspective to find yourself a part of. It also serves as a powerful reminder. One which suggests that the path Team Lemonade has pursued this past year and a half works as intended.
Johnson sums it up this way. âI learned a long time ago tropical fish donât belong in a gold fishbowl. So, putting tropical fish in a tropical fishbowl, you then see the capabilities of these young people.â
This belief firmly entrenched, the circle becomes complete.
People are helping people. And with everyone learning from each other.
The skyâs the limit in terms of the work which goes into keeping a community garden running. Even more so, when that community garden is in the midst of doubling in size.
But for Southern Beaches Community Garden volunteer Tony Curtis, heâd really prefer to have it no other way.
For nearly forty years, Curtis worked as a rigger and a dogman. Setting up and dismantling worksite cranes along with assisting in all facets of the construction process. The building of many of the high rises which today are so ubiquitous on the Gold Coast in which he was born and raised.
The work agreed with him. Enough so that, along with his three brothers, heâd end up owning his own rigging business, Curtis Steel & Rigging, for eight years.
Taking a quick break from building another wicking bed plot, Tony admits he loved the rigging work and the industry as a whole. The industry was good to him and he says he always enjoyed seeing the progress made at the end of each day.
But that was nearly five years ago. And despite his rigging days now being behind him, the sixty-something ex-rigger has found a new way to satisfy his industrious proclivities.
Today, when not flying his extensive fleet of large, remote control airplanes, Tony and his trademark weathered leather full brimmed hat, can be found in the SBCG at least three days a week. There heâs been a member assisting in various garden tasks for almost a year. But most recently, heâs been instrumental in leading the charge in constructing the recently expanded premiseâs new garden plots.
Thirty-six at last count. With more on the way. A roll call of success Tony is quick to attribute to the organisational skills of those heâs surrounded by.
âGetting things done is a matter of having all the right people around you and the right equipment to do it.â
Tony lists names such as Kerry Hurse, Mandy McKinnon, Steve James, Nic Day, Dianne Casey and Deb Robson. Friends and fellow volunteers who Tony says are instrumental in providing the elbow grease in getting the heavy lifting accomplished.
âThey all enjoy the work, and I think itâs the same as me, weâre getting something done. They enjoy that side of it.â
As for the planning and procurement of various necessary equipment, Tony doesnât hesitate to give credit to SBCG President Di Gunther, Vice President Arch Cruttenden along with Ron Hasketh who oversees the Expansion Committee.
âOrganisation is nine-tenths and if itâs organised properly, the jobâll go properly and Di and Archie always try to keep a step ahead and I enjoy that side of it.â
And President Di Gunther is happy to let Tonyâs master plan continue playing out as it has been the past four to five months.
âWe will not stop until Tony says so,â says Gunther. âThere has been no other member who has the skill, ability, leadership, respect or integrity that Tonyâs quiet presence exudes.â
Itâs lofty and well-deserved praise. Especially good for a guy whose definition of gardening until only a year ago simply implied mowing his lawn.
âIâve always had my own property since I was 17 or 18 old so I always looked after the yard. Iâve never been big into gardens. Just as long as they looked neat, Iâve always been happy. But since Iâve come here, Iâve got an interest in learning all the different stuff.â
Some of that different stuff, he says, revolves around wicking bed construction. And then thereâs the fruits and veggies of his labour. A thriving list that includes radishes, lettuces, kale, tomatoes, and, even, a small lime tree.
As for gardening tips, the ex-rigger likes to keep it simple by keeping an eye on the plots of his more experienced gardening friends. âYou have to look around, see what stuff is growing the best and which is getting least affected by any bugs we do have and thatâs what you grow.â
But ultimately, itâs the garden in its ever-expanding entirety that Tony seems to derive the bulk of his satisfaction from. On this day, when not admiring the periodic small planes flying low over the garden on their final approach into the GC Airport, Tony is quick to point out the hive of activity around him.
New plots being filled. Old ones being watered. Families in the park and playground. Numerous inquisitive faces taking in the sights and
various areas of the garden.
There is no mistaking the gardenâs expansion to the north side of the SBCG clubhouse has given the garden added exposure. And itâs irrelevant whether itâs the garden reaching out to embrace the nearby playground and public park, or vice versa.
Because, all that matters is, on this day–as has increasingly been the case–people are everywhere.
And Tony Curtis couldnât be happier. âIâm proud to be a part of it.â
A Long Time Coming
Itâs been a long time coming but it appears the hard work of so many Southern Beaches Community Garden members has finally paid off. For a while, thereâd been talk and plenty of whispers on the grapevine about the expansion of our little community garden. But, as the saying goes, good things come to those that wait. Or, in this case, diligently persevere.
Yet, as the pictures included here can attest to, the wait is over. Eleven and a half years since first being incorporated, expansion is underway.
Back in 2010, equipped with little more than gumption and a lease from Gold Coast City
Councillor Chris Robbins, an agenda was set. To commandeer a plot of land located directly behind the Tugun Community Centre, and turn it into something special.
This being a community garden that would allow for the general sharing of sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening ideas and knowledge. While also serving as an outlet to a healthy lifestyle and an overall better quality of life for the community as a whole.
Humble Beginnings
Just getting the lease would prove a major first hurdle as original plans to set the garden up in Palm Beach were knocked back. Councilâs reasoning being, such a plan would never get enough traction to prove successful. But many early members had a vision that they simply wouldnât allow to be vanquished. Members such as Margo Janes, Chris Ettelbuttel, Mark Bibby and Michael Ratcliffe. And more. Each and everyone who worked relentlessly to get things off the ground.
Such determination would prove instrumental as local councilâs scepticism very nearly proved correct once the ground was finally broken in their new Tugun home. Because itâd be then that the approximately 40 ambitious new SBCG members would be confronted with the reality of various obstacles impeding the success of their fledgling community garden.
There being nowhere to store various tools and equipment, members were forced to liaison with neighbours sympathetic to the gardenersâ
plans. Neighbours who allowed SBCG materials to be stored on their property during the construction of the gardenâs first plots.
And then there was a water issue. The issue being, there simply wasnât much to be had. At least, none other than from a single spigot located in the middle of the nearby public park located a hundred metres away.
So those early days saw more than their fair share of toil. Like busy ants walking to and fro constructing, filling and watering their new community gardenâs plots. Plots that would serve as the initial beachhead for so many to follow.
And follow they have. To the tune of 100 eventual total plots for a present garden membership tally in the vicinity of 150 members.
Community Involvement
Members that, over the years have lent their time and energy in helping various organisations accomplish their own agendas. Groups and organisations such as The Thrower House, Blair Athol Homeless Shelter, U3A (University of the Third Age), the Endeavour Foundation, Centrelink and more.
And then there are the community-building efforts of putting on free workshops and attending various annual festivals. Festivals which you can always find SBCG volunteers distributing free seedlings to young and old alike. Events such as the Bleach and Swell Festivals in Coolangatta, the Check It Mental Health Festival in Southport, the Tallebudgera Flood Relief Effort and most recently the Hide and Seek Markets located around the southern Gold Coast.
Eleven and a half years of sharing our community and environmentally friendly driven passion for sustainable gardening. And forging new friendships along the way. Working relationships with the Gold Coast City Councilâs Gail OâNeill, the Tweed Pony Club, Somerset College, the Bendigo Tugun Community Bank, Climate Wave Enterprises, Bunnings and countless local community mowing businesses, butchers, builders and nurseries.
So, thank you to everyone that has had a hand in helping bring this special moment to fruition. Itâs been a whirlwind ride but one that proves anything is possible.
Especially when it is done together.
A week following our big day, an even bigger day–in the form of a Red Wriggler Homecoming–was in store for the Southern Beaches Community Garden.
Itâd be then, on Thursday, March 5thâamidst grey skies and torrential rainâTom Symmons from Worms Downunder (based out of Chandler, QLD) would arrive with the SBCGâs newest, most anticipated members in tow.
Worms. But not just any worms.
Red wiggler composting worms. Lots and lots of them.
Five kilograms or, to be a bit more precise, something in the vicinity of 20,000 worms.
Delivered and spread out amidst their moist cocopeat and straw bedding inside the SBCGâs Double Grande Worm Habitat, the red wigglers would begin their settling in process.
It was an impressive sight, seeing those little magical creepy crawlies set loose in their new home. But, not nearly as impressive as the Red Wigglers themselves. At least, according to the incredibly thorough and enlightening literature provided in the Worms Downunder information pack.
For example, did you know the worms:
In addition to body temperature, ambient temperature plays a major factor in the rate at which the Red Wigglers feed. Too high or too low a
temperature takes the worms out of their ideal comfort zone, greatly reducing the amount of food they consume.
However, in an ideal, well-maintained environment, Red Wigglers are capable of eating anywhere from 50 to 100% of their body weight in organic matter PER DAY.
So it stands to reason, then, the more worms, the better.
And the best part�
You donât have to worry about having to cull any of your Red Wiggler worm population as the little critters are as clever as they are hungry. Clever in that their reproduction is self-regulated in direct proportion to the size of their environment.
Regulated to the point where, in ideally maintained conditions, the worms can double their numbers once every three months.
Which, for the SBCGâs Double Grande Worm Habitat, will eventually equate to 80,000 Red WigglersâŠ
All doing their part in processing upwards of 40 litres of green waste a day, producing nutrient, soil-enriching worm âcastingsâ Â and helping to remove vast quantities of methane producing green waste from our local landfills.
A win-win for the SBCG and the local community alike.
If you wanted an example of community in action, a visit to your nearest community garden would be as ideal a stop as any.
And Tugun’s Southern Beaches Community Garden would be no exception. From garden beds which need building, grounds that need tending, compost bins that need turning and pony poo runs that need manning…
There’s plenty of work of the volunteer variety to go around. And, yet, that would only be half of the ‘community in action’ story.
Because, without funding from generous donors, all that work doesn’t even get off the ground. And in the case of the SBCG, chances are extremely good that generous donor would be the Tugun Branch of Bendigo Bank.
Yes, since the garden’s inception in 2009, Tugun’s Bendigo Bank has offered the garden’s members and the community, in general, its unwavering support. A level of community support that is extremely rare.
And one person that knows this better than anyone is Bendigo’s Tugun Branch Manager, Allan Merlehan.
So, that said, we at the SBCG wanted to show our gratitude by giving Allan the floor. To give him the opportunity to answer a few questions and, in doing so, to shed a little light on the banking mindset that has helped to separate and distinguish themselves from the rest of the banking, big player herd.
All while simultaneously helping the SBCG grow as much as it has.
So, Allan, how long have you worked for the Tugun Branch of Bendigo Bank? As a banker in general?
I’ve been at Tugun for I0 years and in finance for a total of 36.
Was there anything overly unique or special about the bank that sort of drew you to the place?
The âCommunityâ focus was one aspect and the other was they had bank managers with authority in their branches, so you had decision-makers at ground-level.
Having worked there for as long as you have, what do you feel makes Bendigo Bank different from other banks?
The bank’s focus on the customer & the community.
On average, how much does Bendigo Bank put back into the community each year?
Our branch directly sponsors about $90k.
When do you remember first hearing about the Southern Beaches Community Garden and how has the Tugun Branch been involved with the garden?
I heard about them very soon after I arrived in Tugun in January 2010. Since then our Tugun Community Bank Branch has provided over $32,000 in funding to assist with projects such as the propagation tunnel, water tanks, a covered seating area and a trailer. Our directors and staff have also volunteered in a working bee.
What were your first impressions of the organisation?
They immediately came across as a group of determined people wanting to improve their local community.
Since then, what have you found most interesting or impressive about the garden?
How the garden has continued to evolve from the initial concept 10 years ago to what it is today.
Do you find any similarities between the goals of your bank and the SBCG?
The goal of connecting with your local community & endeavouring to make a difference.
After so much involvement with the garden, what are your thoughts as you walk around the grounds that, over the years, youâve had such a significant hand in helping to shape?
I believe it is the members who have had a significant hand in shaping the garden into what it is today. We have assisted where we can, but it is the determination and hard work of the committee and the members of the SBCG that has brought that concept 10 years ago into a reality.
Of Bendigo Bankâs Tugun Branchâs many contributions to the local community, is there one that makes you most proud? If so, which one and why?
I am proud of all our contributions in the community, whether that is in a dollar value, the sharing of knowledge or the volunteering of time. Itâs not so much the contribution, but what it enables others to do, that makes a difference for our community.
For the Southern Beaches Community Garden, February 28th would be the big day.
An auspicious coming together of garden members, neighbours, McPherson MP Karen Andrews and the owner of Brisbane based Worms Downunder, Jen Symmons.
The day would see the delivery of the SBCGâs new baby; a Double Grande Worm Habitat from Worms Downunder based in Chandler.
Compliments of MP Karen Andrewsâ Communities Environment Grant, once set up and fully operational, the Double Grande Worm Farm Habitat will be ready to handle upwards of 40 litres of green waste per day.
In doing so, the Double Grande will help remove approximately 3 tonnes of biodegradable waste from landfill per
yearâŠ
All while creating soil enriching worm castings considered by many to be some of the best all-natural fertiliser found anywhere.
Yes, the excitement and anticipation was real.
Real enough to create an adrenaline fuelled, engineering inspired epiphany of sorts. One that would see the garden’s new 200 kilo worm farm put on three rollers and pushed and navigated through tight quarters the last 25 metresâŠ
Eventually into position at its permanent home beside the SBCG propagation tunnel located in front of the garden clubhouse.
And itâd be there where, five hours later, the Worms Downunder owner would take the helm by giving various garden members, along with an inquisitive Karen Andrews herself, an in-depth tour and description of the community gardenâs newest attraction.
It would take a bit of imagination on everyoneâs part. This, because the process of properly setting up and wetting
down the habitatâs straw and coco peatâs bedding requires that the worms be delivered at a later date.
But even so, the combination of the habitatâs various moving parts coupled with Jenâs thoroughly informative talk on vermiculture painted a picture that kept everyone fascinated.
All of which proved the perfect segue for a private garden tour for the MP and her assistants compliments of SBCG President Marian Evans.
A tour which, once complete, would see the MPâs party departing with a couple potted plants as mementos of their time at the SBCG.
And the SBCG with rewarding memories of their own.
And more importantly, with the inclination to get their Double Grande Worm Habitat running at maximum capacity as quickly and effectively as possible.
Hello again,
Itâs been a busy year at the Southern Beaches Community Garden here in Tugun with the Annual General Meeting held on 23 November, 2019 at the garden clubhouse a testimony to this.
With Division 14 Local Councillor Gail OâNeill and Director of the Tugun Community Bank Board, Bob Marshall in attendance, out-going SBCG President Di Gunther was able to highlight an extensive list of achievements and general progress over the past year.
Of course, it being the AGM, the ratification of new committee members (including filling the newly created position of Community Engagement Officer) was at the top of the dayâs to do list.
As such, the current SBCG committee members are as follows:
President–Marian Evans
Vice PresidentâDuncan McLay
TreasurerâMark Bibby
Grants CoordinatorâEmma Scott
SecretaryâArch Cruttenden
Membership SecretaryâDoris Claussen
Community Engagement OfficerâDi Gunther
Ordinary Voting MemberâPeter Barrett
That accomplished, out-going President Di Gunther detailed a lengthy list of activities, developments and general accomplishments experienced by the garden over the past twelve months.
In regards to the garden grounds itself, one of the biggest developments this year was the result of an extra ordinary meeting held on 25/2/19 to discuss water supply issues. The consensus would be that the majority of SBCG gardeners want both rainwater collection and irrigated town water provided. This motion agreed upon, along with the continued support from Councillor Gail OâNeill on the matter, thus suggests the eventual expansion of garden beds is no longer an issue of âifâ but only of âwhenâ.
Additionally, the SBCG continued in its ongoing endeavour of sharing sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening ideas and knowledge via free workshops in and around Southeast Queensland. Some of these included providing seedlings and potting workshops to:
The SBCG also continued its ongoing partnership with the Thrower House by actively participating in the Thrower Houseâs Easter Holiday Program while Judith Kilburn provided three free calligraphy courses to the Thrower House as part of their holiday program.
And a Hugelkulter and Wicking Bed workshop was put on for University of the Third Age and other community members by Mel Strange and Fran James.
As the above listed examples suggest, the SBCG and its 125 members were busy. And the best part…itâs only a small snapshot of EVERYTHING that was undertaken and accomplished. For the complete list, feel free to go to our website contact form and request a copy of the President Report be emailed to you.
Look it over and itâs a very safe bet youâll be quite impressed with all this little garden club involves itself with and accomplished over the past 12 months.
In doing so, you will, no doubt, be equally impressed with the generosity of the grant providing benefactors that have provided so much of the resources to help the SBCG accomplish so much of what it has.
First and foremost on that list being the  Bendigo’s Tugun Community Bank. Since day one, this group has backed the SBCG with this yearâs grant donation of $4,200 for a new trailer bringing their total donations to the SBCG to nearly $30,000. Itâs an impressive amount of money and we at the SBCG cannot say thank you enough for such steadfast generosity.
Additionally, the Gold Coast Airport awarded us just of $500 which will be put towards an irrigation system in our propagation tunnel while Mr. Ron Hesketh rounded up the troops repeatedly and, in conjunction with both Bunnings and Harvey Normans, helped fill the SBCG coffers compliments of numerous sausage sizzles.
And finally, there was the success in another very substantial grant, compliments of MP Karen Andrewâs Community Environmental Grant. The grant in conjunction with environmental eco-warriors, Worms Downunder, will allow the SBCG to purchase a âDouble Grande Worm Habitatâ worm composter.
The addition of the Double Grande will allow the SBCG to process up to 40 litres of food and organic waste per day leaving in its wake âworm castingsâ, these being some of the most highly prized and nutrient rich, all natural fertiliser around. Access to such castings will be utilised as fertiliser for garden members and community members alike and will help to greatly reduce the vast amounts of biodegradable waste that unfortunately ends up producing harmful methane gasses in our already overflowing landfills.
The Double Grande Worm Composter is an exciting arrival to the SBCG and will be located beside the SBCG propagation tunnel.
Stay tuned for more posts regarding its pending arrival and other ongoing developments in the garden. And, again, for a complete run down of ALL of last yearâs garden activities, go to our website and request a copy of the SBCG Presidentâs Report be sent to you.
We hope to see you getting your hands dirty soon.