WISE Employment and Timsbury Road School are celebrating International Youth day with the official launch of a community garden on the school grounds on Thursday 12 August, 2010.

The project began in September 2008, with a grant of $12,000 from WISE Employment’s Community Investment Division to assist in the construction and development of the garden at the special education centre.

WISE Employment Operations Manager, Colleen Hooper says that her staff wanted to give something back to the community.

“Supporting the garden is a natural extension to the service we provide to the community in Hobart,” she explains. “Health and nutrition are an important part of a healthy lifestyle.”

"A really fantastic part of this project is that some of our job seekers volunteer their time in the garden,” she says. “This allows WISE clients to build on their work experience and develop new skills and we have recognised that both the students and the volunteers are gaining mutual benefits from the interaction."

The program provides a strong focus on changing students’ attitudes toward food by teaching the importance of good nutrition, as well as practical skills, such as using fresh vegetables to prepare healthy snacks and meals.

Nick Donnelly, Timsbury Road School Principal, believes it’s a great way for the students to develop skills they will need for employment in later life as well as giving them a strong sense of purpose and responsibility.

“The students have loved the whole experience,” he says. “They’re involved in both the planting and maintenance of the vegetable gardens and they’ve really thrived with being given the extra responsibility."

“We’ve noticed that having a hands-on learning activity in which to participate has had an extremely positive impact on many of the students’ behaviour and well-being.”

“Graduates of Timsbury Road often progress through WISE’s employment service, so the garden program provides a natural stepping stone towards this by strengthening the relationship between the students and WISE.”

“WISE has given us a great platform to begin this project and we are dedicated to continuing its development over the coming years.”

The official opening will take place:
Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 12.00pm
Timsbury School, Elmsleigh Road, Moonah