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Fruitful Phillip Island

An event called Future Homes held at Phillip Island Community Orchard was a huge success. It was a day to allow presenters to walk, talk and demonstrate on the site and an opportunity to learn many techniques in gardening.

By news@gippsland - 1st July 2016 - Back to News

Over 40 enthusiastic gardeners enjoyed the final event of the ‘Future Homes’ series held at the Phillip Island Community Orchard on Saturday, 18 June. The rain stayed away for a day to allow presenters to walk, talk and demonstrate on the site.

Rearely do you get a perfect 10 from the feedback given by participants of an event, but on this occasion, the orchard venue, excellent presenters and delicious lunch was enjoyed by all who attended; and they were happy to say so.

Composting and pruning techniques were the main topics, but inevitably the conversations moved beyond that and with two very experienced presenters, the questions flowed and the time flew. Four hours just wasn’t enough, so our pruning expert stayed on for a short time after lunch to do a demonstration on grafting fruit trees.

Phillip Island personality, Adrian James, long associated with both the Community Garden and the Community Orchard, is passionate about compost. He spoke to the group about the history and concept of the orchard and then gave everyone a comprehensive understanding of composting and worm farms.

The group was also privileged to have Jarrod Ruch from the Mornington Peninsula to demonstrate pruning techniques. Jarrod’s charismatic enthusiasm and amazing depth of knowledge made it hard for everyone to drag themselves away, even for a well-deserved lunch break.

Over the year, Bass Coast Landcare Network, in conjunction with Bass Coast Shire Council, have brought six events to the area under the ‘Future Homes’ banner.

One hundred and sixty eight participants have had the opportunity to learn about sustainable building techniques, renewable energy for the home, water-wise gardening techniques, food preservation, pruning and composting techniques and one for the rural residents; keeping carbon on farms.

The level of satisfaction from participants has been outstanding and they keep asking for more opportunities to learn about sustainable living options.

Photograph caption: Jarrod Ruch from ‘The Briars’ on the Mornington Peninsula teaches attendees at the final Future Homes workshop about pruning.

Simone Short