What is our focus?
Earlier this year the YCG Management Committee completed a review of our strategic plan. The process provided an opportunity for our organisation to reflect on our vision and purpose and systematically plan for our future. There was much passionate discussion had during this process as our committed and visionary volunteer management team joined hearts and minds to commit to a flourishing future for Yandina Community Gardens.
A summary of our plan is included in Table 1. A copy is available in the Bluehouse.
Our vision is to be a leading knowledge and demonstration hub for sustainable living utilising the philosophies and principles of permaculture. Towards achieving this goal, we have defined a number of key projects to achieve over the next 12 months. We have already achieved a couple of these, including:
- Increase in the number of workshops,
- Development of factsheets (available on our website),
- Implementation of a volunteer induction program; and
- Conducted a review of the garden design.
The processes with the shop, nursery, house, and garden have also been reviewed and improved.
The garden design review was facilitated by Morag Gamble over a series of six workshops at the gardens from July through September. We had 30 participants and Morag stepped us through a process much like a mini Permaculture Design Certificate course. The end product – a new permaculture site design – is finalised and available to view in the Bluehouse.
The central element within this design is the development of an outdoor/indoor education centre on the currently underutilised bitumen space next to the carpark. This supports our key focus of increasing our reach and scope of our education and training workshops. Our current space within the Bluehouse is limited to 40 participants and most of our workshops are sold out. The newly built space will encompass a shop, commercial kitchen / café space, toilets and seating for approximately 150 people. We also plan to develop an art/creativity hub and enhanced spaces for children throughout our site.
We have exciting plans for our future here at the gardens and we ask all of you to continue your support and join us to stand strong as guardians of a more sustainable earth.
Colleen Bichel
President