Plotting Survival: Save Collingwood Community Gardens rally

 

 

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This morning, on a cold grey winter's day, I met with other protestors in St Heliers Street Abbotsford, between the Convent and the Children's Farm. We were there because three or so weeks ago the gates to the Collingwood Community Gardens, which have been an integral part of the farm for 42 years, were locked by the farm's Committee of Management.  Since then the excluded gardeners have looked on in dismay as the weeds have flourished and the crops that they tend or harvest at this time of year have withered and died.

 

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Protestors, including many of the gardeners themselves and a rapidly increasing number of supporters, were meeting to insist that the Children's Farm Management reverse their decision and open the gates to gardeners. The fear is, as the Yarra Residents Collective put it: 'Until gardeners are returned to their plots, this invaluable community resource remains under serious threat of being lost to the people of Yarra.' 

The gardeners spoke eloquently about the importance of the gardens in their lives. For Ingrid, who lives in the high-rise flats, as well as providing her with delicious fresh food, the gardens have also been a quiet space where she can nurture her health and strength. Ingrid emphasized that she was also representing some other gardeners, who are unconfident speaking in public, especially as English is not their first language.

 

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The gardens have always provided an oasis for immigrants to Australia. Anna, who spoke next, described how her father started the tradition, but since then her husband, her children and grand-children have all joined her at the gardens. Anna is devastated by the lock out. 

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Greg's family too has been involved with the farm for generations. Over that time Greg has delighted in the calls of the bell birds and the kookaburras and the spotting of blue-tongued lizards. He finds it ironical that as the danger of snakes is a centre-piece of the opposition argument that he has never actually seen one there. He feels that in general the Committee of Management's safety concerns are exaggerated, citing the fact that gardeners in wheel chairs and those using zimmer frames have reported no mishaps. Greg concluded with a public service announcement: there are currently 10 spare plots, so now is the perfect time to apply for one. 

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Charlotte is unabashedly passionate about the gardens. She stressed how important it is, especially as so many of us urbanites never get to immerse our hands in soil, to tend a garden. Especially when we get to do so alongside other like-minded nature lovers. 

The final gardener/speaker emphasized the long history and heritage of the gardens. When he finally acquired a plot he inherited an established asparagus plant from the previous owner, whose bounty he was supremely grateful for. Peter also described how the garden had been invaluable during Lockdown when his own income was reduced and he could also distribute food to others. 

Stephen Jolly, local council member and widely-respected socialist community activist, raised the spirits of the meeting with his emphatic assertion that the plotters 'have the full backing of the community... & hell will freeze over before plot holders will be kicked off their land'. 

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Stephen made the point that this struggle is unusual. For once the opponents are not big business nor government, but 'the benign' unelected Committee of Management of the Collingwood Children's Farm. He believes that the Committee needs to sit down and talk to the plot holders. If their concerns are truly predominantly about health and safety, he suggests that they could be addressed in a weekend, as skilled union workers have already volunteered to help out. 

The Yarra Mayor and Adam Bandt, who stand in solidarity with the gardeners, both sent representatives to the protest. Richard Wynn, Planning Minister for the State Labor government, was the outstanding absentee.

 

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Damian, Adam Bandt's Chief of Staff, made a most interesting and heartening point. Abbotsford Convent is on the National Heritage List, and the gardens are included as part of 'monastic farm land'. The Greens intend to to follow up with Sussan Ley, the Minister for the Environment, because locking the gardeners out could well represent a breach of law. 

 

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I was very glad that I braved the cold and threatened rain to attend the protest. Surely with so many determined, well-informed people and righteous people standing together the Collingwood Children's Farm will have to see the light and unlock the gates.