Garden Contractor Jordan Hurdes, Yarrawonga Health Board member David Rosesky, Karana resident Dianne Bould, Yarrawonga Health Co-Ordinator of Volunteers Jo Spence, Helping Hands Committee member Cara Drake, Operational Director- Aged Care Kate Marshall, Yarrawonga Health Board member Melissa Bodycoat, Many Mobs CEO Iris Troutman, Lifestyle Co-ordinator Jeanie Ford and Karana resident Trevor Lagstrom at the launch of the Garden Patch, Karana and Allawah Aged Care’s resident run garden.
The “Garden Patch” at Karana Aged Care was officially launched last week with a great number of residents and Yarrawonga Health officials in attendance.
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The garden initiative was designed to improve residents’ lifestyles and allow them to be engaged in activities that they enjoy doing while having the satisfaction of the food ending up on their plates.
Yarrawonga Health CEO Elaine Mallows said that it is well accepted that gardening improves endurance and strength, reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation as well as also being able to provide stimulation and interest in the outdoors. Just being in the garden can create a sense of well-being.
“The garden will provide meaning as well as an activity to the residents that they would have done right throughout their lives,” Ms Mallows said.
“We also have a compost so the residents will be able to grow their own vegetables as well as cook them so they will be able to do the whole lot, and nothing is better than eating your own home-grown vegetables.
“It will be very beneficial to the residents and will bring more life to our outdoor area as well.”
The program also helps staff provide more diverse and meaningful activities for residents and enhance their engagement with the outside community.
Operational Director of aged care Kate Marshall led proceedings after Many Mobs CEO Iris Troutman performed the Welcome to Country.
“The Garden to Kitchen initiative stemmed from resident and family feedback of the desire for residents to be able to plant, grow, look after and also utilise the fresh produce,” Ms Marshall said.
“We applied and received some necessary funding with a grant from the Department of Health’s Aged Care branch for both Allawah and Karana in June 2021.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID, works were delayed and extensions to our project were required. It is a credit to all involved that we finally have our garden that everyone can enjoy.
“It was really important for all of us that although we had our own ideas of what we wanted that we ensured the garden was what the residents wanted.
“Residents have been involved in all aspects of the project and kept informed of the projects progress.
“The project is ongoing with the hope to further expand in the future, but we want to say thank you to all the residents for being involved.”
The celebration cake was cut by Karana resident Nancy Houghton for the afternoon tea.
Lifestyle Co-ordinator Jeanie Ford said that the Karana and Allawah residents have embraced the idea and have loved getting their hands dirty.
“It takes them back to what they did at home with both the gardening and cooking and for us it is great to see them enjoying partaking in the activity,” Ms Ford said.
“The residents are all very proud of the garden. We have also received a lot of advice from those that have not been able to physically get involved but love their gardening and vegie gardens in particular.”
Well-known local and previous Warrina resident John Dunstan was passionate about the garden and what it would bring to the lives of the residents before his passing just after his 100th birthday.
At the announcement of funding late last year for Karana’s “garden of colour and nutrition” and Allawah’s “living off the land” project which inspires residents to have BBQs in their backyard using produce from the garden, Mr Dunstan said that this garden project was a great initiative and should be introduced to further nursing homes.
“It will be great to be able to grow our own vegetable’s and eat them with our meals,” Mr Dunstan said in September.
“Gardening has been enjoyable to many of us throughout our lives and having a purpose to growing some of our own food will get many residents interested.”
Karana resident Trevor Lagstrom who unveiled the name of the garden, has also been an integral member of the development and plans to continue to take part in the gardening and upkeep.
“It has come up pretty well, as well as we can get it,” Mr Lagstrom said.
“My wife and I always had a vegie garden so it has been great to be involved in this one.
“We had some help with the base, but the residents are getting involved in the gardening side of things. I recently planted some lettuce and go out to check the progress most days.”
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