By Derek Schlennstedt
Five years ago, Shakti McLaren and a group of like-minded individuals had the vision to create an inspirational, sustainable food destination in the Dandenongs.
From their ideas grew The Hills Food Frontier – a volunteer based incorporated association that inspires, mobilises and equips the Hills community to choose, grow, share and eat good food.
To celebrate the milestone, the Hills Food Frontier’s FLAME Community Garden in Tecoma has been reinvigorated with new educational signs.
Ms McLaren told the Mail that the signs have made the garden more inclusive.
“When we set up this garden 5 years ago we wanted it to be educational, but we found it couldn’t be educational unless we we’re here all the time, which simple wasn’t feasible,” she said.
“Now with the signage its educational all the time, and people came come by themselves.”
Several signs have been placed strategically around the garden, with each addressing gardening techniques, the effectiveness of good composting and the importance of pollination and bees.
The group collaborated with local design student Jordyn Yeoman from Mater Christi, and together Jordyn and Ms McLaren developed signs about worms, composts and pollinators.
“It was interesting to learn about gardening and bees and how important they are in the world, but it also taught me how to use illustrator a bit more and particularly gave me an insight into working with other people in the real world,” Jordyn said.
“At school Viscomm is usually by yourself, so collaborating with other people and translating their needs into the design was a different experience. “
The entire project was funded by the Dandenong Ranges Community Bank, who donated $1000 to THFF for the signs, which were printed by Frawley signs.
As part of the Community Bank’s 20th birthday, each staff member was asked to nominate a not for profit community group that banked with the Branch they work at.
Belgrave Customer Service Officer, Jenny Jury chose THFF as the recipient.
“All the staff were invited to choose a community group that they wanted to donate $1000 to and I chose the hills food frontier, because they’re interested in good health and sustainable living.”
Ms McLaren said the garden has been immensely successful in its five years and looked forward to how it will continue to grow.
“The aim was to grow food and make it free and it was really a revolution and still is…the amount of people that give food is just amazing, and it’s food for everyone. Anyone can use the space and the food.”
