Nib Group (nib) has granted a whopping $300,000 grant to REDI.E, Bourke’s Aboriginal-led employment provider, to manage the Bourke Community Garden.
The grant will help REDI.E and its partners with a three-year project that aims to provide two employment opportunities and transform a former commercial nursery into a thriving hub for the Bourke community.
“At the heart of nib’s business is fostering healthy communities, which includes focusing on population health programs and enabling access and equity. We are very committed to having a community impact that aligns with better health and wellbeing for Australians and New Zealanders,” said nib foundation board member Ros Toms.
Nib will work with REDI.E and the Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (BACHS) to consult and collaborate with Bourke’s residents and community groups regarding the transformation of the community garden.
The initiative is expected to see the garden provide not only seasonal fruit and vegetable harvests but also employment, including a graduate placement. The garden will also continue to host the University of Sydney architecture and dietitian students who are involved in the garden as part of their university placements, along with advisers from Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens who spend time in the garden annually and have provided advice on increasing yield, pest control, soil enrichment, and garden bed structure.
“Over time, we hope to see a broad range of outcomes from the garden,” Toms said. “Community engagement, better understanding of nutrition and the value of fresh food and vegetables, and health literacy, which can come from workshops held at the garden. We’d be delighted to see school children come and visit the garden during holidays or after-school cooking or gardening classes. All of this is possible and we hope will have a positive impact on the Bourke community.”
nib foundation executive officer Amy Tribe commented: “The garden has already enjoyed the support of local organisations including BACHS, North West Academic Centre (NWAC), and Landcare Western NSW in the form of skills, expertise, in-kind resources, and donations of garden materials.”
Bourke Community Garden site manager Gavin Gibbs said having a full-time garden coordinator will help the garden increase yield.
“We hope to be able to offer fresh food and vegetables to more than 20 families, on a regular, seasonal basis. Other goals include inviting local groups to visit the garden – senior citizens, people with a disability, children, anyone who wants that connection and learning. Community members are also welcome to come along to the garden and work their own plot,” Gibbs said.
In other news, nib partnered with a health services provider to provide tailored health coaching programs for nib members being treated for cancer.
