Act for Kids reveals $20,000 therapy garden supported by Gladstone Ports Corporation

The Port City welcomes its first therapy garden for children after the Gladstone Ports Corporation contributed to the project costs. Follow for more and to see how the renovations turned out.

A combined community effort has resulted in the Gladstone Act for Kids foundation announcing the official opening of its new ‘Safe Harbour Therapy Garden’ that has been underway since the Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) donated $20,000 in support of the project last August.

In 2021 Gladstone Act for Kids was declared the community beneficiary group for GPC’s annual Port to Park community event.

Since then, community groups including the Gladstone Men’s Shed and the Creative Recycling Centre have pitched in together to transform the space into something special and meaningful.

Creative Recycling Centre’s community engagement officer, Gaetane Chiffoleau said the project was “wonderful to be involved in and the idea was to create a fun place for children to escape to”.

“It’s certainly a community effort with local businesses like Lowry’s Gladstone and Hopp’s Upholstery donating material and labour and of course the funding from the Gladstone Port’s Corporation which has been amazing,” Ms Chiffoleau said.

The garden now features colourful artworks, a mosaic wall, an edible hanging garden, toadstools, a mermaid sculpture, fairy gardens, a music wall and even an obstacle course.

The ‘Safe Harbour Therapy Garden’ fairy garden design. Picture: Gladstone Ports Corporation

GPC CEO, Craig Haymes said “the funding was all made possible from the Port to Park Fun Run”.

“The garden project is nothing short of inspiring and we’re humbled to know it will bring a smile to those children who have endured suffering and need it the most,” Mr Haymes said.

“It’s wonderful to know that community groups have brought the area brought to life and the funding is all thanks to locals who entered GPC’s Port to Park fun run and ran for the good cause.”

Gladstone’s newest therapy garden has sprung to life in support of helping disadvantaged children. Picture: Gladstone Ports Corporation.

Act for Kids CEO Doctor Katrina Lines said the organisation was “incredibly grateful to the Gladstone Ports Corporation and its Port to Park Fun Run for funding this special project”.

“The garden has become a much-loved inclusive, educational and play-based space where children can feel safe and comfortable with their therapist,” Dr Lines said.

Registrations for the GPC Port to Park fun run are open now. Get involved to support a worthy cause within the Gladstone community.