The first steps in creating a flourishing community garden with a fruit and vegetable garden space there were taken when a group of enthusiastic Year 11 and 12 students rolled up their sleeves and got stuck right in.

The seed for the idea was planted by Landcare volunteer John Tucker, who has proposed his dream for a community garden.

The students have a testing time ahead. 

“We want them to generate it up, get it cultivated and get it producing, so it can be handed over to the community, so the community can then look after it themselves,” Mr Tucker said.

“I’m here to help and motivate the boys in any way I can, with the help of their teachers and other people from the school. I’ll provide any facilities they need, but this is their project and they’re making the decisions on where to plant what.”

Mr Tucker said the land was owned by three teachers from the Central Coast and was once part of the now disused school in Warral Rd.

“This was sold off privately and eventually it’s hoped this place will become a rehab centre, so people can come here and get a bit better in themselves,” Mr Tucker said.

“We hope to put some cows over here and chickens in the sheds, so it will become self-providing. That’s the long-term plan.”

The students agreed to volunteer their time and muscles each Friday, with the first group turning up last Friday with teacher Mathew Flanagan for their first day on the job.

“It is a volunteer program through Landcare. Landcare has provided the boys with hats and water. They contribute the muscle,” Mr Flanagan said. 

“We made sure the boys are aware it’s a commitment until at least the end of the year, and they all turned up today, keen to make a start.

“With Peel being a primarily agricultural-oriented school, this is a great fit.”