By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Monbulk Secondary College has made a standout debut at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, marking the school’s first-ever entry and earning the distinction of being the only school in the nation to compete.
The journey of a blend of creativity, teamwork, sustainability and community support has brought students, teachers and the local community in a way that has everyone excited for the show’s opening this weekend.
The idea of the project root back in October last year, when former science teacher, Charlotte Wiltshire saw an opportunity for the school to get involved with the garden show through her past connections.
By December, a team of passionate students had begun sketching designs, and Lily Coxhead’s hand-rendered, scale drawings would soon become the garden’s blueprint – with the support of the school staff, local businesses (particularly local nurseries) and community members –the project was up and running.
Alex Stott, the science learning area leader, has been at the heart of the project from the beginning.
“What stands out most about this project is the level of community engagement, local businesses, parents, students from different year levels—all of them have chipped in. It’s been amazing to see how people have come together to make this happen,” Ms Stott said.
The involvement of so many different people – from nurseries donating plants to parents volunteering their time to help with the setup –has given the project a sense of community ownership, making it all the more special.
The garden, which will be unveiled in full this Sunday, is more than just a pretty display – sustainability has been at its core from day one.
One of the teachers behind the project, Daniel Cerra said they wanted to make sure the garden represented both the school and the local area.
“We’ve used local, native plants and even repurposed materials. Some of the wood used in the statues came from the school’s old gym, which was being replaced. It’s about sustainability and showing how we can create something beautiful from what we already have,” he said.
The students leading the charge – particularly Alice and Henry Standish, who were co-captains of the school’s sustainability team last year—have embraced the project with incredible enthusiasm.
“It’s been so exciting seeing it all come together, from the designs to the plants to the statues, it’s just been amazing to watch something we started in our heads turn into something real,” Alice said.
Both Alice and Henry were also heavily involved in reaching out to local nurseries to secure donations, learning new skills along the way.
“It was nerve-wracking at first, going up to nurseries and asking for donations, but it really boosted my confidence,” Henry said.
The project has been a perfect example of how students can take the lead in real-world projects.
Alex Cree, another student involved in the project, reflects on how much he’s gained from the experience.
“I’ve learned a lot, not just about gardening but also about working with people, speaking to nurseries, and getting help from the community,” he said.
“It’s been amazing to see how much we’ve achieved as a team.”
Teachers like Alex Stott and Daniel Cerra have been instrumental in guiding the students through every step of the process.
“It’s been great working alongside the kids, everyone’s had something to offer, whether it’s helping with the design, creating a website, or building things. There’s been so much collaboration, and it’s just been a really positive experience for everyone involved,” Ms Stott said.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the project has been the way it has brought people together, not just from the school, but from the wider community.
Parents, many of whom have no direct connection to the project, have volunteered their time and resources to help source plants and materials.
The school has also received generous donations from local businesses, making it clear that Monbulk Secondary College is deeply embedded in its local community.
The garden itself is a true reflection of the area, with native plants that highlight the local environment.
A small pond, for example, is designed to reflect the Silver Dam, while the rocks around the garden symbolises milestones in the students’ educational journey.
The project’s emphasis on sustainability is also seen in the use of recycled materials, with sculptures created by one of the teachers at Monbulk, Michael Hyett, out of repurposed metal and wood.
Emma Hyett, another teacher at Monbulk, whose deep passion and knowledge of plants played a key role in bringing the project together, also helped select the native plants that give the garden a strong connection to the local environment.
With the garden now fully designed, the excitement is building as the team prepares for the big reveal this Sunday 23 March.
“I can’t wait to see how it all looks when it’s set up,” Alex Cree said.
“We’ve worked so hard on it, and to finally see it come to life is going to be incredible.”
The school principal, Mark Quinlan, described it as an incredible opportunity for the students to pursue their passion and be part of such a remarkable project.
“We’re thrilled for them to see what they’ve created come to life, all in one piece. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for our school to showcase the talent of our students,” Mr Quinlan said.
“This is the first time a school has secured such an opportunity, and we are incredibly proud of our students and everyone involved. In fact, it’s been the students who have truly driven this initiative.”
For the students, this project has been a chance to not only contribute to something meaningful but also to learn important life skills along the way.
It’s a project that will stay with them long after the garden show is over.
“It’s been such a great learning experience,” Alice said.
“I think it’s taught us a lot about working together, problem-solving, and taking initiative. It’s definitely something we’ll remember.”
As Monbulk Secondary College takes its place at the Melbourne International Flow and Garden Show, it’s clear that this project has made an impact far beyond the garden itself.
“Whether we win or not, the students, teachers, staff and the local community involved have already accomplished something extraordinary,” Mr Cerra said.
“We’ve created a space that showcases not only our school’s creativity and pass for sustainability but also the power of community spirit and teamwork.”
