By Tanya Faulkner
A local community house is bringing an element of beauty to Upper Ferntree Gully and taking ‘giving back to the community’ to another level.
As part of their ‘streetscape’ project, Coonara Community House are making upgrades to their grounds for members and visitors to explore.
The ‘streetscapes’ are part of Knox City Council’s Green Streets Policy, which encourages enhanced biodiversity and habitat for local fauna and fauna, while improving the look of local streets.
The House is being funded to upgrade our Yarning Circle to include Indigenous plants for our Bush Tucker garden, which has been specially designed to, not only look beautiful from the street, but also provide a practical immersive experience.
Coonara Community House manager Sandra Romero said this is one of several upgrades coming, thanks to several generous businesses and community groups around Knox.
“Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place are preparing Art Murals to be displayed externally throughout the Community House, and Bunnings Scoresby are planting edible plants to enhance our community garden and to be used in the community kitchen later this month.
“We will also promote indigenous cuisine with a cooking demonstration facilitated by Mullum Food Creations,” she said.
Last week brought a collaboration with Yellowstone Landscaping, with members of the landscaping team coming to the house to help create a new indigenous plant journey in the front corner of the garden at Coonara.
Yellowstone Landscaping director Doug Lord, who is not often seen on the tools these days, had a shovel in hand alongside his team during their working bee held on 7 July.
He said the collaboration is possible through the company’s Community Connections Program.
“Every month we are doing something to give back to the community.
“We will be establishing a long-term commitment to Coonara house, we appreciate the work that Sandra and her team do, it’s really touched our hearts,” he said.
Landscape architect Natalie Back, who designed the garden to be developed at the front of Coonara house, said there will be a lot of sensory features to explore.
“All of the plants going into the garden are indigenous bush and plants, mostly from East Melbourne.
“There’s a practicality element to the garden too; we have paths so that it’s accessible, the food from the plants can be picked and used, and we have lemon myrtle for the beautiful smells around the garden,” she said.
This streetscape interpretation will be on public display encouraging our community to have discussions around our First Nations people.
Ms Romero said Knox has a large indigenous community, who don’t always have a safe place to be able to go, and said Coonara is designed to be their safe place.
She said the yarning circle is a place for indigenous peoples of the Hills to come together and chat (or ’yarn’) and be able to connect with each other, and the wider community for opportunities.
“We are very welcoming, respectful and understanding of indigenous needs, and we provide a safe place for them to come together and chat, connect and develop with various programs held here,” she said.
Coonara helps to connect indigenous peoples of the Knox community with growth and development opportunities, as well as connecting them with employers for jobs, and giving them a space to feel safe.
They also provide volunteer opportunities for locals who may not be sure what they want to do and want to explore other opportunities, or who just want to give back to their community.
Employee Mandy Limb has been with Coonara Community House for almost 12 years, after walking in the doors one day and giving teaching volunteering a try.
She went on to complete her Cert III in childhood education, which she did at the House for eight years, before moving into administration and making her place with Coonara more permanent.
Ms Romero said being a volunteer comes with its ups and downs.
“Lots of people want to help, which is fantastic for us being on the receiving end, and it helps to inspire intergenerational and cultural collaboration, and conversation.
“Volunteering can be hard work and very challenging, but when you see success it’s really rewarding,” she said.
Those who are wanting to connect with Coonara Community House are welcome to come to their site at 22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully anytime, though Ms Romero said Wednesday is the best day when they have food on for the community.
