Volunteers sought to keep Docklands garden growing

The Docklands Community Garden has long provided a peaceful green refuge in one of Melbourne’s busiest high-rise neighbourhoods, but more volunteers are needed
to help keep it thriving.

Located on Geographe St, adjacent to Victoria Green, the garden has been part of Docklands since 2009. Open to the public and easily accessible from Harbour Esplanade and Collins St trams and Southern Cross Station, it offers residents, workers and visitors a tranquil space to slow down, connect with nature and enjoy locally-grown produce.

Volunteer Olaf Hartnett, who visits the garden every week, said he often saw the “same regulars” enjoying the space.

Olaf, who lives with PTSD, said he sometimes struggled to go outside, but described the community garden as a “little paradise” in the heart of Docklands.

While the garden has a strong support base, with 256 people on its mailing list, only around 10 to 12 people regularly volunteer. Lead volunteers Greg Wise and Dee Kallenberger are hoping more locals will get involved.

Greg said the garden was seeking two types of volunteers.

The first are “Garden Ambassadors”, who would help with growing the garden’s volunteer base, onboarding and operating a calendar for volunteers, marketing and social media and overseeing the garden’s operations and events. The role may suit local residents who can spare a couple of hours a week, including retirees or anyone interested in spending more time outdoors.

The second are general garden volunteers, who would help with regular tasks such as planting seedlings in the garden beds and greenhouse, watering, weeding, applying fertiliser and pest control and general maintenance.

Greg said some gardening experience would be welcome, but was not essential, as senior volunteers and ambassadors could provide guidance.

He said regular attendance was important, but even one hour a week could make a difference. Volunteers may also be asked to help for around four hours quarterly when major activities, such as replanting the garden, are undertaken.

All tools, supplies and guidance are provided, and people do not need to live in Docklands to volunteer.

The garden has recently added a new greenhouse, providing a protected space to grow seeds. It replaces an earlier greenhouse that was destroyed by vandals, with the new structure designed to be more robust.

Vandalism has been an ongoing challenge, with plants damaged or destroyed in recent months. Volunteers have also raised concerns about some visitors taking too much produce, leaving little behind for others.

Dee said the community was welcome to pick a small quantity of ripe, mature produce, but encouraged visitors to leave enough so everyone can have a share.

Despite these challenges, the garden remains a much-loved local haven, with further improvements planned. Greg and Dee said there were extension plans for a native garden made up entirely of Australian flora.

It would add to existing features including the sensory garden, where children can learn about how produce grows, and the vertical garden with its own reticulated water system.

People interested in volunteering at the Docklands Community Garden can contact Greg on 0408 818 980 or via email at [email protected] •