Yarraville Community Garden chair Helen Welch tells Jennifer Pittorino about her work in the community and being named Volunteer of the Year in Maribyrnong’s Civic Awards.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
My role at the garden is to welcome new and prospective garden members, especially people who are new to the area. I also help with working bees, meetings and apply for grants.
Tell us about how you feel about being awarded in the civic awards?
I’m very grateful but it was a huge surprise. There are so many deserving people doing amazing things out there, some under the radar! It’s impossible to measure it all.
What does this mean to you?
I think it reflects the people who are on the garden committee and all those who help to create the community. It was a very nice award to receive but it’s the joy from my involvement that matters. The award may also assist with recognising how important community gardens are and their role in creating resilience.
What’s your connection to Maribyrnong?
The community garden is situated on Maribyrnong council land. I’ve been working with various staff and councillors over many years. Community gardens cover many aspects including environment, health and the arts. Council have been very supportive with grants. They’ve also used the garden for My Smart Garden workshops, so the networks have been very beneficial for everyone, including the broader public.
What do you like about where you live?
Definitely the people. We have a really sweet neighbourhood. People have really connected over the past four-five years. I’ve also been privileged to meet many people at the community garden. People are generous, friendly and extremely kind.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
Of course I am going to say improved air quality, more tree canopy and dedicated, connected bike lanes. I’d love to experience more nature. There can never be too much green space can there! Imagine that. Making our environment more resilient in the face of what the future may bring.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I don’t really have a favourite place. Anywhere green such as Cruickshank park. The Yarraville Village is nice to visit. It’s got a lot of charm and I love the human scale – something quite rare.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
I’m pretty much an introvert by nature and very shy, but over the years I have definitely come out of my shell. On a very personal note, in 2019 I experienced a bit of ‘climate grief’ after listening to Jem Bendell’s ‘Deep Adaptation’ talk. It was a heartfelt impression that I wasn’t expecting because I thought I knew about the topic in my mind. The experience really changed the way I think about the world and the predicament that we’re in.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Community Gardens are a great way to create social capital. They provide a platform for many people from all walks of life to connect. It’s a space where people can do their own thing, grow a few vegetables, turn green waste into amazing compost, donate fresh produce to charities, learn something new, share a meal together and build lovely friendships.
