NSW Minister for Disability Services and Ageing John Ajaka was a guest for the formal launch of the Inverell Best Food Garden on Wednesday, and he defined the project as a complete package.
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“The best way I can put this is, that it ticks all the boxes. It ticks all the boxes of a community working together, for the benefit of everybody within the community.”
Best Food Garden was conceived just two years ago, and now delivers fresh vegetables and eggs to 100 aged residents weekly. The food is sorted and delivered by volunteers with disabilities, and the garden brings together garden helpers from preschool age to golden age, and work experience for the long-term unemployed.
Danny Middleton is Best’s social projects manager, and has been the force behind the garden inception and evolution. He recalled approaching Best two years ago with a dream that would cost a lot, earn little, but achieve fantastic social outcomes. He said he might have had the plan, but it was a group effort.
“We wouldn’t be able to achieve what we’re achieved today if it wasn’t for the individuals organisations, businesses, the community. This is all about the community,” he said.
Visitors to the Wednesday launch included Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, clients of Connections, Brighter Access and Glen Industries, Aboriginal elders, representatives for the ageing community and residents of McLean who visit the garden.
McLean Care retirement services manager Robyn Dixon is working on a research project that studies the benefits of the garden for residents with dementia.
“Even to see a chook, things growing, it’s a joy to them. You’re not going to cure the dementia, but the quality of life definitely goes up,” Ms Dixon said.
Connections services manager Robbie Duff has been coming out to the garden with clients since the beginning. She and Brighter Access manager Tanya Fox agreed the opportunity afforded to their clients offer their support others was invaluable.
“That I think is one of the most significant things; for them to feel like they’re giving back, because they don’t get much of a chance to do that,” Ms Fox said.
Penny Alliston Hall is Best Employment’s chief executive officer, and said the project was extraordinary, calling it a real community effort in the purest terms.
“Whether it’s our very youngest or our most elderly people, whether it’s people with a disadvantage, unemployed, people with a disability, it’s a project that is forming friendships,” she said.
Mr Ajaka praised the collective approach to contributing to the garden.
“And at the same time to allow everyone to work together, keeping their dignity,” he said.
“I just can’t think of any better way of doing that.”