New skills and social connections

FIFTEEN participants gathered at the Heathcote Community House last Saturday for a Kokedama workshop facilitated by Abbey Brown from Kokos about Kokos.

The event was subsidised by the City of Greater Bendigo Emergency Recovery Hub after Heathcote was twice impacted by flood events.

“It is wonderful to be able to provide something that gives a social connection to residents after the impact of the floods,” said community house executive officer Vicki Forde.

“We really appreciate the funding…allowing us to provide activities to help with social connectivity. “Fifteen people attended the workshop and from the feedback received, everyone had a wonderful time.

“Activities such as this allow attendees to connect with new people or reconnect with old friends while doing something productive.

“Everyone took home a beautiful Kokedama and several attendees arranged to have coffee together afterwards.

“It was a very positive result.”

Kokedama is a type of Japanese bonsai, growing plants in a ball of soil wrapped in moss.

All materials were provided for the workshop as well as care instructions and a gift tag.

Ms Brown said she was pleased to make the trip from Bendigo to facilitate the workshop.

“The participants were all brilliant,” she said.

“It’s really great to be able to work with people from the Heathcote community.”

Participant Mandy Shelley said Kokedamas were something she had been interested in for a long time.

“I have a beautiful cyclamen Kokedama to take home, and I’ve learnt a new skill,” she said.