Saturday delivered perfect plant weather at Ararat Rural City’s Multicultural Community Garden Party (rainy and humid), with guests arriving from across the state to celebrate diversity and sample the fruits of the garden.

Visitors were enthusiastic in picking and tasting blackberries, boysenberries and strawberries, with more fruits provided by Ararat Neighbourhood House and kebabs courtesy of Ozy’s Kebab Van. Other plants reaching maturity in the garden this season include corn, sunflowers and sugar cane.

Party attendees were gifted seedlings of okrah, cucumber and sprouts, and event sponsors Mitre 10 and Grow Master Grampians donated equipment and vegetable and flower seedlings to the garden.

With close to 60 guests, the gathering included representatives from Rural Australians for Refugees, Ararat Neighbourhood House, and the Ararat Lions Club, along with Ararat Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong. 

The event was also honoured by a visit from Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson of Victoria’s Multicultural Commission, whose passionate advocacy for community engagement has inspired countless local organisations across the state.

“Our Community Garden, and the fantastic range of knowledge which has built it, are such important cornerstones of our community,” says Mayor Jo Armstrong. “The garden gives all community members the opportunity to grow their own food and eat more sustainably – as well as work together to create something beautiful.”

The Multicultural Community Garden was established to give the local community access to arable land, diversity of agricultural knowledge, and a welcoming environment. Membership and plot fees are calculated only to cover annual water requirements to keep plots thriving across the seasons.

If you’re interested in learning more or becoming a member, contact the Treasurer of the Multicultural Community Garden Marion Da Costa on 0438 168 634 or at [email protected].

Image: Cr Teli Kaur and Vivienne Nguyen AM.