Chatham Primary School

Kitchen Garden

Report from Kitchen Garden Working Party

 

The Kitchen Garden Working Party is pleased to report great progress in the realisation of the long-term project to implement a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at Chatham PS. 

 

It’s important to note that the Department of Education does not fund school grounds improvements; it is only through grants and fundraising that we are able to improve the gardens and outdoor facilities at our school, which includes the Kitchen Garden precinct. 

Despite the challenging conditions of the post-lockdown climate, the Chatham community has rallied again, with incredible fundraising efforts in 2021 and 2022. Just over $43,000 of fundraising money has been allocated to these developments, sourced in no small part from the Chatham Movie Night, the Bingo Night and the Christmas Market on State Election Day. Thank you to the whole community for your efforts and support for these fundraisers, and particularly to the volunteers who coordinated them and helped out.  

 

Under the leadership of Belinda Dalton (Fundraising) and Miranda Talbot (Kitchen Garden Working Party), and pursuant to School Council motions, a proportion of the funds raised in 2021 and 2022 have been allocated to the development of the Kitchen Garden precinct which set the project up for long-term success:  

  • Clearing and levelling the site of the old veggie patch and shed  
  • New decking including an aluminium subframe and composite decking material around the new Kitchen Garden Pavilion and the mature gum tree 
  • a large area of crushed rock foundations for the raised garden beds  
  • installation of a new and larger shed, including associated concrete slab, for garden supplies and equipment 

Due to supply chain issues, and the availability of personnel for the most cost-effective quotes, some of these works are planned to be conducted in March 2023. 

A huge thank you goes to Miranda Talbot who has tirelessly worked on detailed plans, budgets and sourcing of quotes in order for this work to take place.  

There is a strong intention at School Council that additional funds from fundraising will go to: 

  • apple crate raised planter wicking boxes, some of which will create an avenue of espaliered fruit trees 
  • establishing a cooking space in one of the portable classroom spaces on the oval. 

If you are interested in being directly involved in the exciting plans for the Chatham Kitchen Garden, please email chatham.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au and your email will be forwarded to Miranda.