Rotarians give to grow garden

UNITING Vic.Tas’s Queen Street Mental Health and Disability Unit has received support from one of the city’s most active service organisations.

Earlier in the month, Alfredton Rotary Club donated a bundle of hardware vouchers from Bunnings Warehouse worth $1500 in total to the welfare agency.

Presented by president Denise Lyons, the funds were raised in August when the club cooked up and sold COVID safe morning and afternoon tea packages.

Uniting Vic.Tas Mental Health and Disability Unit senior manager Ivan Thorne said his team is going to install a wood fired pizza oven for clients to enjoy in their developing community garden space.

The Queen Street site also offers cooking classes, barista lessons and gardening education, in harmony with Mr Thorne’s goal to see the unit become a “community hub where everyone is welcome.”

He encourages other Rotarians, members of the Ballarat Community Garden over the road, the nearby Ballarat East Men’s Shed, and any neighbouring city residents to introduce themselves to the unit, and get involved.

A further $1500 raised by Alfredton Rotary’s August morning and afternoon tea packs were donated to the Australian Rotary Health program known as Lifting the lid on mental Health.

Fellow Alfredton Rotarian Jill Oliver said the broader Club has been very busy this month, running a barbecue at the Lucas Christmas Market, and their wreath-making workshop with Jenny Burke Florist, hosted by Ballarat Antiques Bazaar.

Participants of the wreath day raised $4500 for Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children.