On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 34 I March/February 2020 | Page 17

Do you love to garden? hat if you could garden with the company of others? What if you could garden and watch the children play? What if you could garden and take home the produce for dinner that night? At Bateau Bay Community Garden (BBCG) we provide a place where people from all walks of life can come together, enjoy fresh produce, exercise, play, rest and learn. The garden provides a holistic perspective, with a healthy, sustainable and community minded lens. A typical visit at the garden may consist of: ƒ Sitting in the shade and sharing a cup of tea with some new friends ƒ Composting the vegetable scraps you bring from home ƒ Gentle gardening, weeding, watering, raking etc ƒ Listening to the frogs croak ƒ Watching the magpies explore Our garden philosophy/values correlate very closely to what is considered the secrets of longevity: Good physical condition – Daily exercise in the form of manual labor and rural living. There is an abundance of jobs to be done based on your willingness and ability. “Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind”. Nelson Mandela Rest – Time to sit and enjoy the surrounds of the outdoors. Slowing down is one of the greatest gifts our members receive in the presence of the garden. Sometimes members get their hands dirty and enjoy Bring a friend or come alone and meet some beautiful souls the physical side of the garden and other times they simply sit in the conversation pit enjoying the beautiful space. We encourage all our members to slow down, take a breath. How many places in your life currently encourage this? “Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary”. Brene Brown Emotional attachments – Social ties improve lifespan and quality of life. Sense of community in the garden is one of our highest values. When someone starts to work on a garden bed whether it be turning the soil, weeding or harvesting we all ask if a hand is needed and the children are often just as quick to gather their own tools to help out in the process. “Social ties are the cheapest medicine we have.” Shelley E Taylor Relaxed pace of daily life – Living full of optimism. There is so much to enjoy by simply sitting in the serenity of the garden. “The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance”. Brian Tracy Health – Eating mostly off the land resulting in excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. It is easy to eat fresh seasonal food when it is at your finger tips when you harvest it yourself.  “Healthy isn’t a goal: it’s a way of living” Alison Zemanek Bateau Bay Community garden is an ideal place for little people to the retired and is the perfect environment to practice healthy sustainable exercise and eating, make new friends all in a safe and friendly environment. CURRENTLY OPEN: Tuesday 8:30am–12:30pm Wednesday from 9am–12noon (Ladies and Children’s Day) Thursday 8:30am–12:30pm If demand increases we will open more days and hours.   For more information regarding the garden contact Rachel on 0434 538 772, Kevin on 0425 854 586 or Nigel on 0421 167 332 Opening hours Monday to Friday 9am-4pm & first Saturday of every month 9am-12pm a large range of styles , widths & We are specialists in fitting as well as providing comfort and orthopaedic footwear. We provide footwear for difficult to fit feet ~ in particular people with diabetes, arthritis, swelling and bunions as examples. We also provide a home visiting service and shoe modifications and repairs. Off street parking & disabled access available colours available 17 Cary Street Wyoming 4323 7515 MARCH/APRIL – ISSUE 34 17