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Chairman’s report for Te Wharerangi Trust 2007-8
The past year has been an exciting one to be associated with the trust that oversees Golden Bay’s community organic gardens.
When I first became involved with the gardens, about 4 years ago, it was a struggling organisation and sadly there was some conflict and frustration, reflecting the financial stress the organisation faced and the differing views held about the business model the gardens should operate. We seemed to bounce from one round to another of funding applications to charitable trusts.
We now have
- A waiting list for people seeking allotments
- Our primary allotment holder growing from strength to strength in his abilities to run a sustainable organic vegetable growing and marketing business
- A major achievement in his gaining organic certification – congratulations Paul Ma’aa
- A well functioning maintenance programme, thanks to the efforts of Phil Rawiri and his team of Corrections workers, who from all reports enjoy their time at the Gardens
- Strong and positive relationships with our partner organisations Corrections, Lotteries, the Tindall foundation, the gardens’ land owners, Tasman District Council, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, the Community Workers, Golden Bay High School, and of course Golden Bay’s Workcentre Trust
- A completed Long Building, with people already wanting to rent the facilities for educational courses, recognising the Gardens are a special place in which to impart learning
- A spring-cleaned and refreshed earth building, with new furniture and amenities to make it more suitable for meetings, courses and other occasions
- Trustee agreement to invest in and seek supporting funding to build a kitchen facility that will be a major new amenity for the community in helping people and the community become more self sufficient and learn food growing and food preparation skills.
- A garden to plate initiative, supported by the Nelson District Health Board which will teach these skills.
In essence our gardens are thriving – in sharp contrast to the experience of some of our neighbouring community gardens. There is a satisfying buzz that is evident whenever I visit.
None of this would have been possible without the support of my fellow trustees. However the greatest driver in all of this activity is the vision, energy and ability of our transitions manager, now community events coordinator, Felicity Hargreaves. She has successfully completed the transition of the gardens from being dependent on charity to developing an independent business with a range of other educational and community purposes. The second phase of this is to make the gardens an increasing focus of the community, as both a place of growing and a place of learning and sharing.
The one sad note during the year was the passing of Marilyn, our chief pest controller, who had been a part of the gardens for many years. Thanks to Paul and his family for making Marilyn’s last months as comfortable as possible.
On a much happier note, we welcome Diamuid Brazendale as a trustee, whose enthusiasm and sense of humour is appreciated by all.
Linda Sanders
8 October 2008