Indi MP, Helen Haines officially opened the Rutherglen Community Gardens on October 4.
The Rutherglen Community Garden celebrated its official opening earlier this month, in a remarkable transformation from an unused patch of grass into a thriving community space filled with fresh produce, art and local history.
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Dedicated residents have worked passionately over the past 12 months to bring the vision to life, showcasing sustainability in action while celebrating Rutherglen's history.
Highlights include a colourful produce cart made by the Rutherglen Men’s Shed using hinges repurposed from the original Victoria Hotel, a 1956 Olympic turnstile donated by the Rutherglen Historical Society and mosaics created by volunteers.
Committee president Roger Fielders thanked sponsors and Indigo Shire Council for supporting the project through the Indigo Shire Grant Program and commended volunteers.
“Over the past 12 months, volunteers have transformed the space into something truly special,” Mr Fielders said.
“The garden is a beautiful reflection of Rutherglen's history, creativity and community spirit.”
Local children joined Helen Haines MP for the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the gardens.
Indi MP Helen Haines and local children officially opened the garden with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that Indigo Shire councillor Roberta Horne said was “a delightful occasion with a community feeling”.
“Frances Walsh put in a lot of work over many years trying to establish a community garden in Rutherglen before this group came along,” Cr Horne said.
“It wasn't the right time and the right group of people, but now there's a very enthusiastic group of people there doing wonderful things and it's finally happened.
“These people have taken that bare bit of earth and changed it into a productive garden.”
Local volunteers have spent the last 12 months turning a bare patch of earth into a vibrant space to grow fresh vegetables.
The community grant funding will help deliver future improvements, including a shelter for gatherings and a bee hotel.
Locals can become members of the community garden for $50 to take advantage of the produce grown there.
Mr Fielders said fruit and veggies from the gardens was initially grown for members only, with excess going to various groups and the community.
The cart put together by the Rutherglen Men’s Shed will be used by the garden group to sell excess produce.
