GROUNDSWELL COMMUNITY GARDEN INC
MINUTES OF MEETING – 14 APRIL 2009
Present : Gerry, Pam, Simon and Kathleen
Apologies : Regina, Marian
1. Welcome
Simon chaired the meeting and welcomed all (we enjoyed the warmth and light of our 1st meeting for the year in the Scout Hall and some yummy raspberries from the food forest!)
2. Previous Minutes
Accepted : Pam 2nded : Kathleen
3. Actions from Previous Minutes
-watertank : Kathleen contacted Peter Lee (Scouts District Commissioner) who replied with an email listing a number of specifics for Groundswell to ensure so that watertank can be installed. Kathleen drafted letter for Regina to sign then post to scouts.
-wheelbarrow A : unsure if friend of the garden has purchased replacement yet
-wheelbarrow B : a new one was bought as it was more expensive to fix old one than get new one
-shelving in container : Simon and Anthony have planned what is needed for shelving, will try to do at next working bee
4. Garden Gathering 28 March
-feedback from Simon that over a dozen people attended, including new members. Worthwhile as a social activity for Groundswell. Unsure if garden grass was mowed at working bee? Kathleen said that the atmosphere was very friendly and Paul’s fruit tree pruning demo was very useful
?Paul mentioned a herbicide that is not a glyphosate and would be suitable for use in our organic garden, but no one can remember what it is
-Pam reported that one of the trees in the fruit forest has been pushed over
ACTION : Kathleen to ask Craig Miller if his staff can put it back asap
5. Water tank update
-waiting for final letter to go to Peter Lee (see item 2) then can go ahead with installation (finally!!)
-received email from David G with request from Water Grant funding dep’t
ACTION : Kathleen to reply and let them know what’s happening
6. Rotunda/noticeboard submission with neighbours
-Simon and Pam are interested in meeting with our neighbours (pre-school, scouts and playgroup) to put in for funding. (availability : Pam – not Tues or 7/5/09, Simon after 5.30 or can take a day off if enough notice, hols in June)
ACTION : Kathleen to set up a meeting
ACTION : Kathleen to get a quote and design from FCC Parks dep’t (similar to ones at George Pentland Garden and beachfront)
7. Other
-Pam brought in a sample baby squash (10cm across!) from their fabulous harvest this year, cropped about 10kg of produce from 3 plants. Supermarket price = $7.50/kg! No problems with pests or the scorching heat. Has made chutneys and sauce.
-South East Water are interested in doing some corporate volunteering (possibly 10 people for 1 day?) to do a drought tolerant garden. Groundswell are interested in offering our space. Pam also suggested that as part of their volunteering they might be able to do a talk at Groundswell on water-saving gardening (we could have this as one of our Garden Gatherings)
ACTION : Regina was volunteered to meet with them, if needed
-Kooweerup Community Garden visit on 2 May. Their garden was created last year, by a one day permaculture blitz (permablitz). They are inviting others to come along and help re-invigorate the garden (hands-on) or just visit and chat - a great chance to meet some other community gardeners. A mini-bus will be going from Frankston at 9am (returning about 2.30pm), let Kathleen know if you want to come along asap,11 seats available, ph 9784 1022. No cost, byo lunch or buy some in town.
-students from Mt Erin Secondary College will be doing some work on the garden in term 4. Bunnings fundraising bbq to be held Sept 12 or 13. More details as we get them.
-2 new memberships : Welcome to Liz and Greg as well as Gail
DATE OF NEXT MEETING : Tues 12 May, 6pm, Scout Hall (wear your woollies and bring a torch for safe passage afterwards to your car)