Swan View Uniting Church recently welcomed Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn MLC and Midland MLA Steve Catania as they toured the church’s flourishing community garden, which has been given a new lease of life through their partnership with GFS Perth.
During the visit, Minister Swinbourn announced the availability of $10,000 Community Garden grants through the Department of Communities to support all aspects of community gardening, including infrastructure, tools, education and community participation.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from volunteers and supporters working to strengthen local food resilience and neighbourhood connection.
Members of the founding garden team, Neil Butcher and Alison Wilson, shared how the garden began and the strong community relationships that have helped it grow.
GFS Perth chief executive officer Alison Gilchrist spoke about the organisation’s role in supporting the Swan View garden through its “Permaculture Partnerships” initiative.
GFS Perth’s “Permaculture Partnerships” model connects under-used land with volunteers, educators, and community programming to regenerate soil, grow food and cultivate social connection.
The Swan View Uniting Church site is the first example of this approach, and GFS Perth hopes to expand these partnerships across the Midland and Swan areas.
To scale the initiative, GFS Perth is seeking volunteers, site partners, financial supporters and donors, grant funding and practical support such as tools, compost, seedlings, and expertise.
The partnership has already enabled new community programs at the Swan View Uniting Church, including Little Buds – an intergenerational playgroup held every Thursday and Wednesday – and Women, a monthly community gathering for local women.
These activities are helping re-activate the site as a community hub, with encouraging signs that congregational engagement is increasing again.
The garden is now a welcoming place for people of all ages to learn, connect, share skills and enjoy the benefits of growing food together.
The visitors toured the beds, and spoke with volunteers hearing about future plans to extend the model across the region.
For more information or to get involved, contact GFS Perth by emailing alison@gfsperth.com.au
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