Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently had the pleasure of attending the opening of the CNA-Italian Australian Services community garden. Work on the My Garden Your Garden project began in August and aims to promote inclusion and participation from different cultures by committing to their community garden. A team of volunteers and staff have worked hard to allow the garden to be ready for the Christmas season.

The motivation for the garden was brought about by research on age-friendly cities benefiting from green space in the community. The space offers a place where seniors and community members can enhance their wellbeing, social inclusion, physical activity and positive nutritional health. It's early days, but the project already looks to be a resounding success, with tomatoes, figs, beans, watermelons and parsley already maturing.

The garden was funded from a grant from Club Marconi, with contributions by Fairfield City Council and CNA themselves. CEO of Club Marconi, Tony Zappia, and Fairfield Mayor, Frank Carbone, were both in attendance to see the literal fruits of their support. Also in attendance were the state members for Liverpool, Prospect and Fairfield and Liverpool Councillor Nathan Hagarty. I'd to thank Marco and Giovanni Testa and all the team at CNA for their hospitality and showing me around their beautiful garden. I'm trying very hard to keep the grafted watermelon alive!