WARNERS BAY COMMUNITY GARDEN

Ms JODIEHARRISON(Charlestown)I acknowledge the wonderful people behind the Warners Bay Community Garden, who over the last five years have turned a two-acre patch of Bunya Park into a thriving community garden. The Garden doesn't have a gate, and doesn't restrict access, working on an honesty principle summed up simply by convenor Trudy Patterson: "Pick a little, leave a lot." Locals have come to embrace the garden, which is home to a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and scented flowers. The group now has more than a hundred members and is always looking for more. They came through the COVID-19 pandemic by operating a roster system, ensuring the garden remained looked after. They have big plans for the future, too. After securing a $10,000 grant from Hunter Water, they have installed two wicking beds and plan to install four more. They hope to one day build a central pergolacomplete with a pizza oven and barbecueand install wheelchair accessible pathways so the whole community can enjoy the Garden. My congratulations to Trudy, deputy convenor Adelle Austin, treasurer Jeff Nott, secretary Barbara Novelli and the whole teamI can't wait to see what comes next.

A Community Recognition Statement is an opportunity for an MP to give a short speech praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Statement, please email and let me know!