BLESSING OF THE COMMUNITY GARDEN THURSDAY 29TH MAY 2025.

Community started gathering from 10.30am to share in the blessing at 12 noon, conducted by Rev. Ram Thanga. Op Shop volunteers, members of the Church community as well as the Paynesville community, gathered amongst the garden, admiring the rapid growth of the rhubarb, kale, lettuce and herbs. Some of the garden volunteers were available to explain the design of the garden wicking beds, which has clearly stimulated the growth of the crops and allowed our Foodbank to enjoy two harvests since 1st April.

Rev. Ram caught up with old friend Matt Julius from Uniting who travelled from Melbourne to be part of the special occasion. Matt, in turn, had the pleasure of catching up with old friend, Chris Kynoch, Manager, Camp Coolamatong. Paynesville church community support the interns at Camp Coolamatong each year for their trip to the NT, visiting Christian aboriginal leaders and children, and so enjoy an ongoing relationship with Chris and his organization.

Rector of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Dennis Webster, and a director on the Board of Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre, was pleased to take time out of his busy schedule to meet Rev. Ram. Julia Fitz-Gerald, manager of Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre, and original instigator of the Community Garden initiative, together with Marilyn Cassidy and Sue Harrison, was keen to meet Matt as Uniting now run the Foodbank in Bairnsdale, and so the two exchanged details with the view to collaborating down the track, especially as finances for all Foodbanks within Victoria are under strain.

Marilyn commenced proceedings by acknowledging the collaboration of the Church with Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre, but also thanking the Shire of Gippsland for the grant to develop the garden beds, and for Julia who worked hard to acquire the grant. Rev. Ram, during the blessing, cited Isaiah 56: 10-11, a very apt quotation. Ram prayed for the gardens and asked for blessings upon those who work within them, and prayed that the garden will also bear the fruit of healing and hope.

At the conclusion of the prayer and proceedings, the group enjoyed a BBQ sausage expertly cooked by Doug Harrison, scones & cream prepared by Foodbank volunteers, together with lemon slices made by Sue Harrison, and washed down with filtered coffee or a cup of tea.

Many lingered on, enjoying the sunshine, chatting among the garden beds, and evoking a general sense of joy as they all saw the benefits of this collaborative community venture come to fruition, at a time when food sustainability is now a very real concern.

Marilyn C. Cassidy, Leader, Paynesville Uniting Church Faith Community