The Yandina community gardens are run by a management committee. Committee members are elected annually by the members of the organisation. The 2020/2021 committee members are:
From left: Jono, Donna, Colleen, Robyn, Gayle, Rob and not pictured are Chris, Kim & PatrickJonathon (Jono) Holford (Treasurer)
Growing up in South East Asia exposed me to a multitude of cultures and practices at a young age. I have always had an appreciation for different landscapes and climates. Returned home to complete a double degree in business economics and commercial law in Melbourne. Since moving up to the Sunshine Coast I have a new found passion for waste management, particularly dealing with organic waste streams.
I have taken a particular focus on vermiculture and Black Soldier Fly farms. I have only been at YCG since October 2018 and have enjoyed learning from a wide range of skilled members who give their time and energy to the gardens.
Growing up in South East Asia exposed me to a multitude of cultures and practices at a young age. I have always had an appreciation for different landscapes and climates. Returned home to complete a double degree in business economics and commercial law in Melbourne. Since moving up to the Sunshine Coast I have a new found passion for waste management, particularly dealing with organic waste streams.
I have taken a particular focus on vermiculture and Black Soldier Fly farms. I have only been at YCG since October 2018 and have enjoyed learning from a wide range of skilled members who give their time and energy to the gardens.
Donna Morawiak (Secretary)
Grew up in a small country town in the UK surrounded by the traditional English vegetable garden with turkeys and ducks as childhood pets. After studying ceramics in college moved to Shigaraki, Japan to learn traditional wood firing methods. From here a move back to the UK and starting to work in Logistics for IKEA, 20 years and many moves later to different cities in China, Japan and Australia whilst working for the same company, but now in the field of Sustainability. Passionate about food waste and how we can educate people to value this resource, was naturally drawn to Yandina Community Gardens. Lives with her partner in a Sustainable off grid home in Towen Mountain, after many years moving from city to city has finally found somewhere to put roots down and really connect with the community and environment.
Grew up in a small country town in the UK surrounded by the traditional English vegetable garden with turkeys and ducks as childhood pets. After studying ceramics in college moved to Shigaraki, Japan to learn traditional wood firing methods. From here a move back to the UK and starting to work in Logistics for IKEA, 20 years and many moves later to different cities in China, Japan and Australia whilst working for the same company, but now in the field of Sustainability. Passionate about food waste and how we can educate people to value this resource, was naturally drawn to Yandina Community Gardens. Lives with her partner in a Sustainable off grid home in Towen Mountain, after many years moving from city to city has finally found somewhere to put roots down and really connect with the community and environment.
Colleen Bichel
Born and raised in Lockyer Valley. Mum and Dad were farmers (onions, garlic, rock melons, sweet potatoes etc) and had a recycling centre. Studied exercise science and health promotion and worked for 10yrs in preventative health care. Moved from Brisbane to Ninderry and completed her Permaculture Design Course with Geoff Lawton. She is also a trained hypnotherapist and practices Quantum Healing Hypnosis, now the owner of Jeffers fresh produce store in Yandina. Colleen lives with her partner on an organic vegan property and has a menagerie of rescue animals.
Born and raised in Lockyer Valley. Mum and Dad were farmers (onions, garlic, rock melons, sweet potatoes etc) and had a recycling centre. Studied exercise science and health promotion and worked for 10yrs in preventative health care. Moved from Brisbane to Ninderry and completed her Permaculture Design Course with Geoff Lawton. She is also a trained hypnotherapist and practices Quantum Healing Hypnosis, now the owner of Jeffers fresh produce store in Yandina. Colleen lives with her partner on an organic vegan property and has a menagerie of rescue animals.
Robyn Matthews (President)
“Born in Sydney, schooled in Townsville and lived most of my adult life in Sydney (where my heart will always be). 7 years ago I moved to the Sunshine Coast. I am blessed to have my forever home which has very little flat land but lots of steep slopes and long-term bush regeneration work needed. I’m also involved with Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group and Florabunda Nursery at Woombye. As was expected when I left High School I took secretarial and clerical work and continued for 30+ years. About 15 years ago I changed to community work and loved working in the disability services field. I am very passionate about everyone being provided opportunities to have the best life possible. I strive for a simple effective life myself and try to practice sustainability (not always successfully). Ethical outcomes are important to me – this includes every person, every animal and all living things. I found YCG when seeking out a like-minded community. I’ve enjoyed meeting a special quality of people with honesty, integrity and respect for others.
“Born in Sydney, schooled in Townsville and lived most of my adult life in Sydney (where my heart will always be). 7 years ago I moved to the Sunshine Coast. I am blessed to have my forever home which has very little flat land but lots of steep slopes and long-term bush regeneration work needed. I’m also involved with Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group and Florabunda Nursery at Woombye. As was expected when I left High School I took secretarial and clerical work and continued for 30+ years. About 15 years ago I changed to community work and loved working in the disability services field. I am very passionate about everyone being provided opportunities to have the best life possible. I strive for a simple effective life myself and try to practice sustainability (not always successfully). Ethical outcomes are important to me – this includes every person, every animal and all living things. I found YCG when seeking out a like-minded community. I’ve enjoyed meeting a special quality of people with honesty, integrity and respect for others.
Gayle Richens
Born & raised in Brisbane. Joined an acting group at 10 & opened up a life of creation & litrature. Sewing & Gardening were my childhood passions & still are, Married now separated with 3 grown up Children & grandchildren. Studied fine art & many crafts, over the years have taught Sewing & Creative Art & Craft. Moved to Sunshine Coast 15 yrs ago… joined Noosa Permaculture… then Yandina Community Gardens.
Born & raised in Brisbane. Joined an acting group at 10 & opened up a life of creation & litrature. Sewing & Gardening were my childhood passions & still are, Married now separated with 3 grown up Children & grandchildren. Studied fine art & many crafts, over the years have taught Sewing & Creative Art & Craft. Moved to Sunshine Coast 15 yrs ago… joined Noosa Permaculture… then Yandina Community Gardens.
Rob Lawrence
I grew up in some of NZ’s most beautiful places. My Dad always had a vegetable garden and orchard. Mum would bottle peaches and we would visit my uncle’s farm to go mushrooming. Dad was a traditional gardener and it took him a very long time to come around to mulching. However he was great at making jam, ginger beer and kiwifruit wine. I became much more environmentally aware while hunting with my friends as a teenager and it lead me on a path of environmental activism and campaigning. Sally and I began our family in 2006 and we have been navigating our way as environmentally ethically as possible for as long as I remember. We believe in being close to Earth and in co-creating our community, which has naturally lead us to YCG. Having lived on Sunshine Coast for 2 years, we are hoping to develop a deeper connection with the land here and sink down some roots.
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I grew up in some of NZ’s most beautiful places. My Dad always had a vegetable garden and orchard. Mum would bottle peaches and we would visit my uncle’s farm to go mushrooming. Dad was a traditional gardener and it took him a very long time to come around to mulching. However he was great at making jam, ginger beer and kiwifruit wine. I became much more environmentally aware while hunting with my friends as a teenager and it lead me on a path of environmental activism and campaigning. Sally and I began our family in 2006 and we have been navigating our way as environmentally ethically as possible for as long as I remember. We believe in being close to Earth and in co-creating our community, which has naturally lead us to YCG. Having lived on Sunshine Coast for 2 years, we are hoping to develop a deeper connection with the land here and sink down some roots.
Nursery team Shirley Richards and Monika Stinton
Nursery Propagation Team from left Rose Brown, Caroline Fossey, Ros Moriarty
Regular volunteer Renate Sliwa
Long time volunteer Linda Mahoney
Regular volunteer Penny Foster
Regular volunteer Heike Farkas
Regular volunteer Jack Glover
Regular volunteer Rob Boorman
Regular volunteer Bruce Varley
Regular volunteer Richard Brammell
Regular volunteer Andrew Chambers
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