Fusion Community Garden 'Eat Well Grow Well' Official Opening

On Thursday 27th June, Andrew Laidlaw Officially Opened the Community Garden. Andrew   is a qualified landscape architect and horticulturalist with over forty years of experience in the industry. Andrew is well known for his in-depth knowledge of plants, design, and his innovative approach to the design process.

Andrew is most widely known for his long-standing role as the landscape architect at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. 

Andrew's passion for nature and community gardens were evident in his presentation. He provided seeds of kindness and encouragement for Fusion Community Garden. We are grateful for Andrew's exceptional contribution to the event. His expertise and insights greatly enriched the experience for some forty attendees, seated on the boundary of the Community Garden on a sunny Melbourne winter day.

Fusion Community Community Garden is a proud Rotary Club Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale project with Fusion Youth and Community Centre, Oakleigh Baptist Church, Bunnings Oakleigh, and support from the Rotary Foundation.

The project has established a community garden with fresh food of choice that is culturally appropriate for the local community, being grown to address the needs of the vulnerable. Assisting with; food security, financial disadvantage, connectedness, mental and physical wellbeing while growing community spirit. A gardening committee has been formed.

It is planned with input from Holmesglen TAFE Horticulture, to develop horticultural gardening skills for members of the community garden, while inspiring kindness and togetherness.

We are truly thankful for the valuable contribution of many during the establishment of the community garden and at the Official Opening: -

• Pres Lesley Zuccaro, Ralph RC Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale
• Andrew Laidlaw Landscape Architect
• DG 9810 Ian Ballantine 
• Deputy Mayor Brian Little-Monash City Council
• Robert Davies-Chair Bendigo Bank Pinewood
• Assistant Governor D9810 Helen Nodrum
• Fiona Gunnion- MC, Manager Fusion
• Brad Rumble, Pastor Oakleigh Baptist Church
• Rose Lazzaro Activities Officer Bunnings Oakleigh Along with staff from neighbouring Bunnings locations. 
• Volunteers - wonderful members including; Anthony, Jason, Michael, Malcolm, Travis
• Rotarians, partners, friends
• Community members

Thank you one and all. - Together we do Better, together we Make a Difference, together we Create Hope with support from the Rotary Foundation, as we sustain and grow our Community Garden together.

(Sausages donated by Woolworths and bread Bakers Delight Hawksburn)

Warm regards

Jackie Gleeson