Churchill Neighbourhood Centre - August 2026

Sowing the Seeds of Health and Wellbeing 

The Churchill Community Garden, located at the Churchill Hub, is one of the area’s hidden gems, and we are inviting more members of our community to discover and enjoy this thriving space. 

Over the past 12 months, the garden has undergone quite a transformation. Thanks to a generous grant from Latrobe City Council and the hard work of the Australian Disaster Relief organisation, we now have 10 self-watering vegetable pods (wicking beds). Built at an accessible height, these gardens have been designed so that people of all ages and abilities can comfortably enjoy growing fresh produce. 

The garden also features a three-tiered embankment, with plans for each level to have its own unique purpose: a colourful flower garden, productive vegetable beds and a native garden to encourage local biodiversity. 

Our goal is to maintain a continuous rotation of seasonal crops, all germinated and grown on site. This has become possible thanks to another generous grant and the dedication of our skilled volunteers, who have built our very own greenhouse. As production grows, we hope to propagate  our own seedlings, which will be available to the public at a low cost, with proceeds helping support the garden. 

We are also committed to sustainable gardening. We collect seeds from existing plants, encourage pollinators through thoughtful planting, and will soon be installing a Bee Hotel to provide habitat for our native bees. Our gardening principles are organic, and we love sharing knowledge while learning from others in the community. 

Our next exciting addition is a group of chickens. Through grants and the support of local schools and volunteers, we have built an engineer-designed chicken enclosure where animal welfare is the highest priority. The hens will enjoy a temperature-controlled hen house, and three of them will each wear a lightweight GoPro camera, allowing children and adults alike to choose a favourite chicken and follow its daily adventures via YouTube, 24 hours a day. The cameras have been carefully positioned to ensure the privacy of all visitors. 

The Churchill Community Garden has progressed significantly over the past year. Whether you are an experienced gardener, just getting started, or simply looking for a peaceful place to relax, we would love to welcome you. 

Garden volunteers generally meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while the garden itself is open for everyone to enjoy five days a week. We are always looking for new volunteers and welcome visits from schools, community groups and families. Churchill Playgroup now visits each week, bringing plenty of smiles and curiosity to the garden. 

There are outdoor tables available for small social gatherings, community catch-ups or simply enjoying a cup of tea. We also plan to offer a range of short, practical workshops with an organic gardening focus in the near future. 

The Churchill Community Garden is an inclusive space where everyone is welcome. Come and explore, enjoy the gardens, meet new people and become part of something growing.