Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) is delighted to announce the recipients of its recent Community Garden Grants, awarding $1,000 each to seven local kindergartens and early childhood centres. These grants are funded through the Victorian Department of Health’s Preventative Health Promotion program, aimed at supporting healthy eating initiatives to prevent chronic health conditions in our local community.
The grants are part of a broader effort to encourage children from birth to 18 years to adopt healthy eating habits through nutrition education, healthier food options, and community-based initiatives that foster a positive relationship with food. By targeting these foundational behaviours early, the program seeks to reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues, promoting long-term health outcomes for children and young people.
The program has already made an impact, with Christopher Robin Kindergarten using their grant to grow an abundance of the superfood, silverbeet. Their harvest has been transformed into healthy chips and vegetable baskets for families, promoting healthy eating and fostering a sense of community.
At Whorouly & District Kindergarten, the grant enabled the purchase of a hand water pump for their water garden, affectionately named ‘Whorouly Creek’. The new pump allows multiple children to participate in watering activities together, encouraging teamwork and engagement. With vegetables now thriving in the garden, the children are seeing the rewards of their efforts firsthand.
Meanwhile, Wangaratta West Kindergarten has expanded its hydroponic herb garden, planted fruit trees such as; lemons, mandarins, and oranges, and enhanced the worm farm to promote sustainable gardening practices. These initiatives not only enrich the children’s learning but also create a greener, more sustainable future.
Other centres have used grant funding to purchase flowers to attract bees, herb pots, and essential gardening tools, ensuring their gardens remain vibrant and productive. These initiatives foster a sense of connection and nurture a love of nature among young learners.
NHW Acting CEO Bernadette Hammond highlighted the importance of the program: “These grants reflect our commitment to promoting health and supporting a healthy community. It’s wonderful to see local kindergartens and early childhood centres creating spaces where children can learn, grow, and connect with the natural world while also fostering healthy eating habits that support lifelong wellbeing.”
NHW congratulates all the grant recipients for their creativity and dedication to fostering thriving gardens and hands-on experiences for their communities. We look forward to seeing these gardens flourish and inspire future generations.
Photos supplied by Christopher Robin Kindergarten and Wangaratta West Kindergarten