By Violet Li
While its flourishing community garden helped secure the 2026 Casey Environmental and Sustainability Champion Award, Uniting Church Hampton Park’s impact extends far beyond what grows in the soil.
“We were nominated for all of the programs that we do because we do so many different programs,” vice chair of the church council Lynn McBain said.
“The Council is very aware of the number of programs that we run here and how much we help people.”
While the garden is often the most visible symbol of the church’s work, it is just one part of a much broader operation.
Across the week, the church provides many programs.
Volunteers prepare meals. Gardeners maintain the grounds. Community workers coordinate services for people in need.
On Thursday, the busiest day for the church, up to 100 people pass through the church for food relief and social connection.
Locals can collect pantry supplies, access fresh produce, join English classes, take part in arts and crafts, or simply share a meal.
At 12.30pm, a free two-course lunch is served, one of many offerings designed to remove barriers for those doing it tough.
“It’s all free, everything we provide,” Ms McBain said.
External organisations also rotate through the space, providing legal advice, health services and wellbeing programs, while initiatives like the Orange Sky laundry bus help meet essential needs.
At the centre of it all remains the community garden, which has been growing alongside the church for about 15 years.
A core group of around 10 to 15 regular gardeners, along with plot holders and volunteers, keep the space thriving.
Some grow food for their own families, while others contribute produce back to the church kitchen and food relief programs.
“The garden is flourishing,” Ms McBain said.
That same spirit carries through the church’s wider programs, which include sewing classes, art workshops, carers’ support groups and playgroups for young families.
Behind the scenes, about 60 volunteers keep everything running.
“There’s a real camaraderie there. People enjoy coming together and working alongside each other,” Ms McBain said.
Despite the scale of its work, the award came as a surprise.
“We did not expect it at all. We were amazed,” Ms McBain said.
However, Ms McBain said that maintaining that level of support remains a challenge.
With no guaranteed ongoing funding, the church relies on grants and partnerships to sustain its programs, something Ms McBain said is increasingly difficult as demand continues to grow.
“You can’t keep going like this without ongoing funding,” she said.
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