A native garden at Victoria University is growing into an outdoor classroom that can demonstrate the many uses of indigenous plants for food, medicines and tools.
At the same time, Iramoo Bush Food Garden at the St Albans campus is helping rehabilitate offenders undertaking community service orders.
The 1100-square-metre garden is a joint venture between the university and Victorian Department of Justice, offering as many as 10 participants each week a chance to learn basic gardening and landscaping.
The offenders are also planting native trees that have been grown through a program that teaches horticulture to women in prison.
Garden designer Cassandra Twomey said the project aimed to foster new interests among participants and provide an outdoor classroom for VU students, as well as offering a place for community workshops where knowledge of native plants, their preparation and cooking, and other uses such as weaving, can be imparted.
“It may be small, but this garden has the potential to raise awareness on a much bigger scale,” Ms Twomey said.
“The garden will grow into a place where people can learn by touching and feeling rather than from textbook photos.”
Along with the garden, a nursery will be opened so that community visitors can buy plants.
