Lake Boga gardeners plant seeds of joy

These volunteers have turned disused space into a green oasis to boost community wellbeing in their dry Mallee town.

Lake Boga Community Gardens volunteers David Rough, Marg Tripcony, Carol Webb, Marie O'Meara, Sue Notting, Tracey Domille, Indi Obrien, Gypsi Obrien, Gavin Obrien, Teresa Obrien, David Mark, Robyn Howarth, Jill Pye and Sue Donnelly. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

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LITTLE pockets of green started popping up around Lake Boga about four years ago thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers who create, maintain and promote the beautification of the town’s gardens for the wellbeing of the whole community.

“Someone described it to me the other day as some good old-fashioned country fun and that's basically what it is,” group member and spokeswoman Sue Donnelly said.

The Lake Boga community garden group’s first project was planting a space behind the local cafe, but it quickly grew from there. Now, the group’s main garden is located near the town’s silos, with plenty of other sites throughout the Mallee town.

Many of the plants they lovingly tend have been donated. Succulents, natives and drought-tolerant varieties dominate their landscaping triumphs, all planned to withstand the dry Mallee climate.

As well as weekly gardening sessions, the group also runs a “cuppa and cake” gathering once a month, allowing people to come together and enjoy the green spaces.

There is a core group of about 15 gardeners, but there can be as many as 45 attendees for the gatherings, which also feature guest speakers.

Sue said there were physical and mental-health benefits that contributed to the town’s wellbeing.

She also said the group wanted to keep Lake Boga “a lively, vibrant little place”.

“We are meeting people who are new to town or don’t come out as often, or don’t know one another,” Sue said.

The Lake Boga community garden volunteer group is a nominee in The Weekly Times Heart Volunteer Awards, supported by the Powercor Country Festival.

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