Keilor’s Horseshoe Bend Community Group (HBCG) recently secured a $5000 volunteer grant from the state government.
The funding injection will be put towards purchasing new equipment and facilitating educational programs for the dedicated volunteers who have been instrumental in revitalising the local landmark.
HBCG member Margaret O’Neill said the group’s long-term objective is to donate fresh produce from their garden beds to local foodbanks.
“This space is for the community, not private land, and we will be donating what we can,” she said.
“We have more than 100 volunteers on our list and regularly see about 20 to 30 different volunteers at our working bees. There are people from all walks of life.”
However, despite their collective dedication, the group faces challenges, particularly regarding equipment.
Ms O’Neill said currently much of the equipment used is sourced from the personal collections of volunteers.
“One of the things we really need is a lawn mower. At the moment we have one of our young members who brings in his own mover and regularly mows,” she said.
The group has also encountered setbacks such as vandalism and theft, which have hindered their progress. Ms O’Neill said the group recently had their doors to the shed kicked in, as well as an incident where copper piping was stolen leaving them without electricity.
“We are always looking for funding through local businesses, and we are really well supported through lots of local businesses, however we are always looking for more help from the local community,” she said.
Details: info@horseshoebendcg.org, or www.horseshoebendcg.org/home
Hannah Hammoud
