By Mitchell Clarke
A community garden in the grounds of Goodstart in Pakenham has been the most positive thing to grow out of the Covid pandemic.
Educators donated a $1000 staff incentive to the feel-good initiative, before working closely with Pakenham Bunnings to bring the project to fruition.
Goodstart Pakenham centre director Beth Mason said the grand vision was to create a community garden for children to laugh, learn and play with one another during lockdown.
“Childcare is a constant for families during this crisis. It is the one place that children can still come together and families can access the support they need,” Ms Mason said.
The childcare identified the things that matter most and focused on the things that could bring children some joy during lockdown.
“Essential workers came together to achieve essential things. Children are central to everything we do at Goodstart,” she said.
A collaborative effort – which involved those young and old getting their hands dirty – was required to get the job done.
“The community garden has come to life and is being explored and loved by the children of Cardinia,” Ms Mason added.
“The garden is a testament to the way of being at Goodstart – where Selma, the outdoor teacher, deserves special mention for her dedication in connecting children with the natural world.”
Ms Mason thanked Bunnings for helping “make the impossible, possible”.
“Our community can thrive in crisis – we are all in this together,” she said.
