The Yass Community Garden on Pritchett street has recently voted in its 2020 committee and plans and ideas for the next 12 months have been enthusiastically discussed.

The committee hopes to create stronger connections with the community and so has decided to begin holding regular working bees on Sunday afternoons where those curious about the gardens can drop in for a visit and to learn more about how the garden operates.

This Sunday October 11th is the first opportunity with the committee firing up its wood-fired pizza oven from 5 pm. Non-members are asked to make a small donation and COVID safe rules will be in place.

“We have also committed to using social media platforms including the creation of an Instagram account (@yasscommunitygarden) to update the Yass community on what we’re up to in the garden,” advised new secretary Kimberley Delavere.

The local Scout groups Mediterranean style garden is underway, with a pomegranate tree soon to join the other Mediterranean style plants they have already planted such as the olive and fig tree.

Workshops and the annual open-day will be organised in the future in the hope of easing Covid-19 restrictions. The committee is excited to attract more members within the Yass community to utilise the garden.

“Now is the best time to join as not only is it spring and the best time to plant seedlings and enjoy the outdoors, but members will be able to enjoy a full year of membership as the AGM has just passed,” Ms Delavere said.

Yearly memberships cost $20 for individuals, which includes access to the communal garden beds and a share of the joint crop. Ms Delavere added that an extra $6 pays for the private use of a garden bed where members can grow fruit, veggies and flowers for their own pleasure.

“It’s always nice when members include some flowers in their garden. Membership also means an invitation to the monthly pizza nights held at the gardens where the pizza oven is fired-up and pizza is shared all round. There are also membership deals for families.”

The committee consists of Linda Swadling as president, Jenny Thompson as treasurer, Kimberley Delavere as secretary, Bec Widdows as public officer, and Rosemary McReynolds as an ordinary committee member.

“Together we are committed to working together to improve access and use of Yass Community Garden as a public space for the Yass community where they can spend time with friends, with nature and with themselves,” Ms Delavere said.

If any members of the public are interested in joining or learning more, contact the group through the Facebook page Yass Community Garden or via Instagram @yasscommunitygarden.