Introduction A brief stroll through the gardens Angel Street Permaculture Garden University of New South Wales Permaculture Community Garden Glovers Community Garden Randwick Community Organic Garden Cook, Marton and Solander Community Gardens, Waterloo Waterloo Community Garden Garden origins and structure How news travels Daily management structures Involvement swith other bodies What the garden means to participants Issues identified by the garden group The Women’s Community Garden, Marrickville Street Jungle Community Garden Project, Macdonaldtown Affiliated bodies But what does it all mean?? Footnotes

Garden origins and structure Waterloo Community Garden is an organic garden established in 1991 within the grounds of the Waterloo Uniting Church, Raglan Street. There is a small amount of communal space and a greater amount dedicated to allotments. There are currently 8 gardeners, who have keys to the garden and on-site shed. Wednesdays are nominated gardening days, but there is no obligation to attend. <<to top of page>> How news travels The church is a strong source of new members, the minister being a proactive agent for the garden. One gardener involved in founding the garden is SSC’s Community Gardens Officer, so is a vital channel for newcomers. Some gardeners find the garden by walking past the sign on the gate shown in plate 3.10. Due to the small number of gardeners, most news travels at the garden, or over the phone. The Community Gardens Officer is responsible for information dissemination through SSC’s residential newsletters, is involved in the ACFCGN and was partly responsible for the network’s last meeting being held at the garden.  Plate 3.10. Waterloo Community Garden gate. <<to top of page>> Daily management structures Discussions regarding the communal areas, composting methods, planting programmes and water management usually occur in the garden. Food from communal areas is taken at the individual gardener’s discretion; surplus is left for others. Conflict had arisen over practices such as composting techniques and fertiliser usage. While it was hoped that resolution would occur through negotiation between the involved parties, the Community Gardens Officer mentioned frustration at the gardeners’ tendency to turn to her for problem solving. Some however, see conflict resolution as part of what the garden could teach them. <<to top of page>> Involvement with other bodies Most of the gardeners are aware of and interact with the three community gardens established on Department of Housing land, also in Raglan Street. Their involvement with gardens beyond this site is less, although all expressed interest in meeting other gardeners and visiting their sites. The Community Gardens Officer has extensive contact with other gardens, both through her work and through ACFCGN meetings. The garden promoted its recent open day, which generated moderate interest. <<to top of page>> What the garden means to participants The reasons for becoming involved were varied; again, the potential of human interaction as a learning space was highlighted, as was gaining management and understanding of food production processes. One gardener emphasised the ‘grounding’ nature of the space — the solid, down-to-earth feeling she gets from working with soil and plants. The site is seen as important to locals who have no growing space at home. <<to top of page>> Issues identified by the garden group Key issues identified included the conflict resolution issues discussed above, and the desire to be more involved with other gardeners. The gardeners also highlighted a membership crisis, as eight was not seen as enough.

Contents Preface Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Appendix I Appendix II References << email:lcrabtre@*SPAMBINGLER*els.mq.edu.au >> NOTE: Remember to delete the expression *SPAMBINGLER* from the address before sending the email. << honours index >> << phd index >> << home >> << to top of page >>