Growth at generations’ garden event

PRETTY posies were hand-gathered by early learners at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens this week to be shared with some special friends at an end-of-year picnic.

The little participants of BotaniKIDS presented the flowers to vocational major students from Loreto College, who they got to know as part of a partnership between the nature program and the school.

The Loreto students baked snacks and planned games for the picnic, and played with the pre-school-aged kids as their parents and carers watched on.

BotaniKIDS convenor Julie Bradby said the program has brought together an intergenerational village.

“It’s become a community all about wellbeing and being outside,” she said.

“It’s about enjoying the beauty and the open space of the gardens, and using the gardens as a source of quality learning for under-fives.

“We’ve become friends with the young mums, and we’ve got a whole lot of grandparents in our group.”

Every second Tuesday, the Loreto students have been part of BotaniKIDS, supporting the children in their environmental learning, and helping the volunteers.

Some of these students are planning to pursue careers in the childcare, hospitality, agriculture, and horticulture industries.

“Whatever food and craft activities they prepare for us are in their stream,” Ms Bradby said.

“The hospitality girls do the cooking, the ag girls do the planting, seeds and make soil… It’s helping the students as well.”

Penny Commons has been taking her grandchildren to BotaniKIDS each week and said the program hasn’t just benefited the little people.

“It’s really wonderful for the young mums as well,” she said. “As a grandmother, it’s lovely for me to get to meet them, and to see the little ones interacting.

“Some of the young mums have little babies, and the Loreto girls will nurse them to give the mums a bit of a break.

“The children have grown to really trust the Loreto girls well. It’s lovely seeing the generations together.”

Loreto College vocational major teacher, Anne Mader, said the partnership has encouraged the girls to boost their interpersonal skills.

“They’re dealing with different age groups; parents, carers, grandparents and young children,” she said.

“They love it. It’s very interactive, and it’s getting them ready for the workforce.”