Reflection on the First Year
One year ago, I launched Therapeutic Gardens Australia to share my passion for nature’s healing benefits. With so much to do, sometimes it can be hard to remember all the things that have already been achieved, so I’d like to just take a moment to reflect before soaring into the next exciting year.Since September 2016, I have:
- published an ebook.
- become affiliated with 9 organisations (and counting!).
- featured in online magazines and blogs:
- consulted pro-bono with Inner West Neighbour Aid in conjunction with City of Canada Bay to design a 5 senses therapeutic garden – the first of its kind. We also have an ongoing case study following the development of this garden, in order to document the progress and benefits of the finished product in the community.
- partnered with VegePod to help make gardening more available to people with limited time and space (read more).
- shared numerous resources promoting therapeutic gardens with over 500 facebook followers and 4700 Instagram followers.
- volunteered to help relocate the Secret Garden and Nursery to better service their community (read more), as well as providing ongoing support for their Spring Fair and other projects (for example, re-homing their pigs).
- completed a Statement of Attainment for Therapeutic Horticulture.
- been interviewed by Tim Webster and Linda Ross on 2UE radio's Talking Gardens.
- attended the International Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.
- worked with home-delivered food charity Dinner on the Table for an EOI (expression of interest) for lease premises with the intention of starting a community garden to grow food for meals.
- sponsored the first Therapeutic Landscape conference hosted by Cultivate NSW.
- given a presentation to postgraduate MBA students at the University of Notre Dame School of Business, sharing life experiences and my vision for therapeutic gardens.
- been nominated Vice President of Cultivate NSW.
Looking over this list, I'm quite proud of the work I've put into raising awareness for the benefits of therapeutic gardens and horticultural therapy. I'm really looking forward to sharing my knowledge on the Cultivate committee and helping them to achieve kickass results for horticultural therapy Australia-wide.Now, bring on the next year!