Child and Family Hub Garden

In 2025 a Small Talk Mallee Family Care (MFC) playgroup facilitator came up with the idea to create a edible garden at the Child and Family Hub in existing garden beds. The existing garden beds were originally overgrown with grass and weeds.

The Health Promotion team was involved and started the process with consultation of what families attending playgroup would like to grow. This was done through a voting chart at the Child and Family Hub with voting dots for people to put in their preference.

The Health Promotion team contacted SHDH Social support and organised a donation of wooden flowers to be provided for the garden and for the children to paint prior to planting the garden. We received 8 wooden flowers which were painted by the children at the playgroup.

A planting day was organised for Wednesday March the 4th with representatives from SHDH- Health Promotion, MFC, MCH and Bunnings to help out and assist on the day. Supplies for the garden were donated by Bunnings, in particular the plants and CfC funding was used to provide equipment needed to keep the garden sustainable long term.

On the 4th of March at the planting day 17 adults and 25 children attended the session. Bunnings, the HP team and MFC helped children and families with the planting. Varieties planted include: giant and dwarf sunflowers, strawberries, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, capsicums, snap peas, marigolds, rosemary, strawberries, green beans, Basil and Chives. Three families were inspired to start a garden at home and found that the planting day was a great way to see how their children were engaging with the activity.

As a complementary activity Kerri our SHDH dietitian provided a rice cake face activity which children engaged in as a snack. This activity aims for children to have exposures to different vegetables in a peer environment which encourages trying new foods. This was a popular activity and it also allowed parents time to ask any questions.