The Kiama Community Garden is more than a place to grow vegetables. It is a thriving hub of creativity, education and connection, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. 

Last Saturday, the garden welcomed visitors for an open day, showcasing its many community initiatives and the vital role it plays in the region.

While the heart of the garden is its shared permaculture space, its reach extends far beyond. A monthly art group gathers to create, music events led by educator and gardener Kathleen Lawson fill the air with song, and an intergenerational focus ensures that at least three generations are regularly involved. 

A new initiative, a group for neurodivergent teenagers, now meets on Saturday afternoons, offering a safe and welcoming space for young people.

“The out of school hours care program uses the garden regularly too,” said Peter Maywald, a member of the Kiama Community Garden. 

“Their leader is also a member of the garden and the chair of the P&C at the public school. So it is not just a garden, it is a real community resource.”

Despite its success, the garden’s future remains uncertain. It sits on the same lot of land as Blue Haven, Kiama’s aged-care facility, and has not yet been formally designated as a community garden. This leaves it vulnerable to potential land sales.

“We have been asking for years to have it excised and added to the sports field lot,” Maywald said. “But with the fate of the old care home still undecided, council has not made any moves. If Blue Haven was sold, we could go with it.”

Although some steps in the right direction have been taken, such as securing independent water and power supplies, progress remains slow. Community consultation and a formal change of land use are required to protect the garden’s future.

“We have heard plenty of friendly words from Council,” he said. “But no real action.”

The Kiama Community Garden operates on permaculture principles, meaning all produce is shared rather than allocated to individual plots. Any surplus is donated back to the community, fostering a spirit of generosity and sustainability.

“We set up the Crop and Swap, which has grown so big that it now runs at the nursery,” Maywald said. “People bring along whatever they have, homegrown produce, baked goods, preserves, and take what they need. It is not transactional. There is always a surplus, and no one goes without.”

This philosophy extends to the garden itself. Members do not take more than they need, knowing that there will always be another harvest. “Some gardens have individual plots, but you cannot grow enough in a small space to feed a family,” he said. “By sharing, we can.”

With over 100 active participants, the garden is not only producing food but also fostering community spirit. Older members who can no longer take on heavy tasks contribute in other ways, helping with administration, baking for morning teas, or simply offering encouragement.

“The garden works because people just get on with it,” Maywald said. “It is a beautiful example of how a community can support itself when given the space to grow.”

Now, the challenge is ensuring it has that space for years to come.