By Sonia Isaacs
What began as a seed of an idea 18 months ago has blossomed into a fully fledged community garden, thanks to the dedication of passionate locals and the collaborative backing of community groups, organisations, and businesses.
The Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden group, featuring representatives from the Glasshouse Mountains Community Hall, Barung Landcare, the Glasshouse Mountains Advancement Network (GMAN), and Anderson Shaw Building Renovations, has worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life.
Barung Landcare’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program has played a vital role, with students offering hands-on support. GMAN has now established a home base at the garden, complete with a small nursery and shed.
Numerous community meetings helped build a shared mission: to create a space where people can grow food, share knowledge, play, create, and connect.
Visits to other community gardens helped shape the design, while local input—including a logo designed by children from a childcare centre—ensured the project remained deeply rooted in community.
From policy development to volunteer inductions, inclusive design and engagement have remained a focus. Even the garden’s scarecrow will be named by public vote.
Donations have funded key features like the maze, archway, hand wall, and extra seating.
Excitement is now building for the grand opening on Saturday, August 9, from 10am to 2pm. Councillor Jenny Broderick will cut the ribbon at 10:30am, followed by face painting, novelty races, crafts, live music, food stalls, and a tree planting.
Working bees continue (always followed by a cuppa), and new volunteers are welcome anytime.
The garden is located at 8 Coonowrin Road, Glasshouse Mountains. For more info, visit the Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden Facebook page.