Hello Gardeners!
Here’s your monthly roundup of what’s been happening at our beautiful community garden. November has been full of activity, planning, planting, and some exciting progress!
🌼 President’s Update
Grants & Funding
- Gambling Community Benefit Fund – Application submitted for a pump and park benches. Outcome expected next year.
- Ergon Energy Grant – Submitted for mature trees and plants for our new tenure area. Results due January 2026.
- Carols at Kings Eve – No further news from Council; unlikely we will participate this year.
Garden Highlights
- Our new entrance sign has been installed – a big thank you to the Sunshine Coast Council for their support.
- Garden Rules sign also installed and will soon be facing outward thanks to Elliot.
- The pumpkin patch bed is complete and looking amazing!
- Tables and chairs have been moved to the new tenure area away from the compost bays, to make socialising easier.
- A beautiful harvest of sweet potatoes came out of the garden this month!
Reminders
- December meeting will be followed by our Christmas Party – wear something festive!
- No meeting in January.
- Garden Catch-Up: Sunday 23 November, 4 pm. Bring your chairs and drinks!
📬 Secretary’s Report
- Contact made with Terry Landsberg regarding the tap at the Unity Water pump station.
- Update on 14/11 Council has confirmed the asset can’t be accessed or relocated, as Unity Water has taken back ownership.
- Invitations for our 1-Year Anniversary Catch-Up have been sent.
💰 Treasurer’s Report
- Balance at bank (11 Nov): $9,218.12
- Funds available for operational expenses: $1,718.12
- Income this month included memberships, ReCollect funds, and a $1,000 grant.
- Expenses covered plants, IBC, pumpkin patch supplies, and more.
Pending Purchases:
- Shelves, wood for the food forest, organic manure, fruit trees, trial 30mm drip pipe, and plants.
Grants:
- Declined: SCC Major Grant for the Education Centre
- Pending: Gambling Grant & Energex Grant
- Sponsorship Requests: Pelican Waters Shopping Centre, Andrew Wallace
👥 Membership
- 55 paid members for FY25/26
- 802 Facebook friends – welcome to our 31 new members online!
🛠️ Business Arising
- Our new WhatsApp group for all members is up and running.
- Decision made not to paint the shed after discussion with Bowls Club.
- Glynis will be sending a note to the Bowls Club about our extended tenure boundary.
🌱 Planting Updates
- More collaboration will take place with planting decisions via the Members WhatsApp group.
- Some beds may be made temporarily dormant as needed.
🏗️ Other Business
Education Centre
- Quotes to be obtained for a 6×6 carport structure (non-insulated) with slab costs separate.
- Continued fundraising required.
- Glynis will ask Power Boat Club if the water tank funds can be redirected.
Neighbourhood Watch Funds – Ideas
- Gazebo
- Bridge over the swale
- Letterbox
Garden Improvements & Ideas
- Ross to trial a 30mm drip pipe for bed irrigation.
- New area ideas include a rose garden, meadow garden, kid-friendly space, native garden, and more.
- Pumpkin patch archway added to Beer Club duties.
- Jed to source cardboard for the forest floor.
📌 Action Items Snapshot
- Mesh for Pumpkin Patch – Jed
- Bowls Club Tenure Note – Glynis
- Education Centre Quotes – Tegan
- Letterbox for donations – Tegan
- Ongoing tasks include archway assembly, share stand build, irrigation, manure sourcing, and plant pickups.